A ballet addict, or balletomaniac, is someone who deeply appreciates and loves ballet. The term originated in the 19th century to describe ardent fans of Russian ballet, often with extreme devotion. In the 20th century, it acquired less extreme connotations and is used more generally to describe someone who loves ballet and is knowledgeable about the art, history, and industry. Ballet addicts often follow specific ballet companies, donate generously, and collect visual materials. They enjoy the music, costumes, scenery, and lights associated with ballet and are eager to share their love of ballet with others.
A ballet addict is someone who has a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for ballet. One of the most famous dancers in history was Edward Gorey, who attended every single performance of the New York City Ballet for several years in the 1950s. So dedicated was Gorey to ballet that he refused to leave New York City during ballet season for a number of years, precisely because he didn’t want to miss any ballet performances, an attitude many dancers would have sympathized with.
This term comes from the French word “ballet” and the Greek manes, which means “ardent admirer”. It was coined in the 19th century to describe ardent fans of Russian ballet. At first, the term was intended to imply a certain amount of craze, with balletomanes supporting specific artists with an almost alarming level of fervor, sometimes coming to blows over performances. The bitter debates between the balletomaniacs seemed comical to outsiders, who simply could not comprehend the level of devotion involved.
In the 20th century, “balletomaniac” began to acquire less extreme connotations and was used more generally to describe someone who really loves ballet. In addition to seeing a number of ballet performances each year, a ballet addict is also typically very knowledgeable about the art of ballet and keeps up with the industry’s leading artists. Many follow specific ballet companies, sometimes traveling to see them on tour, and ballettomaniacs can often rattle off statistics on the roster of dancers in a particular company.
A ballet addict may enjoy other forms of dance as well, but ballet is usually their first love. Many are enthusiastic about the history of ballet and the development of the art, and those with money often donate generously to ballet companies and programs to popularize ballet. Season tickets for a local ballet company are a must for a ballet addict, and ballet addicts can often be seen clustered in the lobby during intermissions to discuss the show.
In addition to being knowledgeable about the dancers, and sometimes knowing them firsthand, dancers also enjoy the music, costumes, scenery, and lights associated with ballet. Some may collect visual materials relating to famous ballet companies, such as coffee table books featuring beautiful ballet sets or recordings of major orchestras performing music composed for ballet. Dancers are also eager to share their collection and love of ballet with others, in most cases.
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