Pas de deux

In ballet, a pas de deux (French: step/dance for two) is a duet in which ballet steps are performed together. It usually consists of an entrée, adagio, two variations (one for each dancer), and a coda.

Related Topics:
Duet - Ballet - Entrée - Adagio - Variations - Coda

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Duets of equestrian riders are also called Pas de deux.

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A Grand Pas de deux is a duet in which a male and female dancer perform together. Its features include

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• promenades: rotation of the ballerina (who is holding a position en pointe) by the male dancer
• pirouettes: whilst the female dancer pirouettes en pointe, the male dancer stabilizes her and adds momentum so that she can achieve faster turns for a longer duration.
• leaps / jumps: the male dancer assists the female who is jumping to achieve extra height and duration, or the female dancer leaps towards the male dancer and is caught.
• lifts: the male dancer supports the full mass of the female dancer. Includes présage, where the female is lifted at arms length above the head of the male dancer.
 
Pas de deux: See also ►