A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving the Ballet.

Robert Greskovic's enthusiasm for ballet is infectious.He starts off with a lively but solid history of ballet, then covers the training of a dancer. The book also includes clear information about the logistics of a performance--from the conductor's arrival in the orchestra pit to the final curtain call, no pique, glissade, or arabesque is left unexplained. After covering these basics, Greskovic examines 14 ballets in great detail--most are classics like Les Sylphides, but a number of modern treasures like Balanchine's Apollo are also covered. For readers yearning to take in more dance than their local ballet company offers in a season, the book includes an extensive videography as well as excellent suggestions for further reading. 634 pages. Softcover.