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Show 98 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. those enrapturing examples of the beau ideal of the fine arts, will considerably assist the cultivation of their taste. A dancer who knows not how to develope himself, who is deficient in gracefulness, and void of good taste, can never afford the smallest delight to the connoisseur and cultivated spectator. Of the Composition of Steps. I shall conclude with an admonitory remark, that may perhaps be of service to young artists, who, having successfully combatted all the first difficulties of their art, wish-to betake themselves to the composition of steps. W h y should they not follow the example of Dupre', in order to hasten their progress in this branch of study ? That celebrated dancer used to dance extempore to familiar airs ; by which means he rendered his imagination more creative in the forming of steps and enchainement and accustomed his ear to catch the measure and rythmus of the music with greater rapidity. This exercise would prove extremely useful to develope the genius of a youthful dancer. His first attempts might probably be incorrect, sometimes even ungraceful, but when he has once laid the foundation of the step, if I may use the term, he can afterwards correct it and make all the changes suitable to its perfection. I have very often practised this extemporizing, and had the good fortune, at times, of producing some things that were tolerable. I have frequently, by this exercise, been enabled to compose with facility a variety of steps which I had to execute in public, and particularly when I allowed myself a little time to perfect their combinations. M. Gardel, speaking once of our old dancers, mentioned, with approbation, this practice of Dupre", who, whilst he was making himself an excellent dancer, gave a higher flight to his genius. |