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Ballet Controversies

Description: Test your knowledge on the controversies surrounding the world of ballet.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: ballet controversies dance
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Which famous ballet dancer was accused of spying for the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

  1. Rudolf Nureyev

  2. Mikhail Baryshnikov

  3. Natalia Makarova

  4. Maya Plisetskaya


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rudolf Nureyev, a Soviet ballet dancer, defected to the West in 1961, causing a major international incident.

What was the name of the ballet that caused a scandal in France in the 19th century due to its risqué subject matter?

  1. Giselle

  2. La Bayadère

  3. Coppélia

  4. La Sylphide


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Giselle, a romantic ballet, caused a scandal in Paris in 1841 due to its depiction of a peasant girl who dies of heartbreak and returns as a vengeful ghost.

Which ballet company was involved in a legal battle over the rights to perform George Balanchine's ballets?

  1. New York City Ballet

  2. American Ballet Theatre

  3. Royal Ballet

  4. Bolshoi Ballet


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre were involved in a legal battle over the rights to perform George Balanchine's ballets after his death in 1983.

What was the name of the ballet dancer who was fired from the Royal Ballet in 1963 for wearing a black leotard instead of the traditional white one?

  1. Margot Fonteyn

  2. Rudolf Nureyev

  3. Frederick Ashton

  4. Sylvie Guillem


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Margot Fonteyn, a prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet, was fired in 1963 for wearing a black leotard instead of the traditional white one.

Which ballet company was accused of sexual harassment and abuse in 2018, leading to the resignation of its artistic director?

  1. New York City Ballet

  2. American Ballet Theatre

  3. Royal Ballet

  4. Bolshoi Ballet


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

American Ballet Theatre was accused of sexual harassment and abuse in 2018, leading to the resignation of its artistic director, Kevin McKenzie.

What was the name of the ballet that was banned in the Soviet Union in 1932 due to its depiction of a love affair between a Soviet soldier and a German woman?

  1. Romeo and Juliet

  2. Swan Lake

  3. The Nutcracker

  4. Spartacus


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Spartacus, a ballet by Aram Khachaturian, was banned in the Soviet Union in 1932 due to its depiction of a love affair between a Soviet soldier and a German woman.

Which ballet dancer was criticized for her weight and appearance in the 1990s, leading to a debate about body image in ballet?

  1. Darcey Bussell

  2. Sylvie Guillem

  3. Alessandra Ferri

  4. Tamara Rojo


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Darcey Bussell, a principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, was criticized for her weight and appearance in the 1990s, leading to a debate about body image in ballet.

What was the name of the ballet that was accused of cultural appropriation when it was performed by a non-Japanese company?

  1. The Mikado

  2. Madame Butterfly

  3. The Geisha

  4. Turandot


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Mikado, a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, was accused of cultural appropriation when it was performed by a non-Japanese company.

Which ballet dancer was criticized for his decision to retire from the Royal Ballet at the age of 27?

  1. Carlos Acosta

  2. Federico Bonelli

  3. Johan Kobborg

  4. Edward Watson


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Carlos Acosta, a principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, was criticized for his decision to retire from the company at the age of 27.

What was the name of the ballet that was accused of being too violent and graphic for a family audience?

  1. Romeo and Juliet

  2. Swan Lake

  3. The Nutcracker

  4. Giselle


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Romeo and Juliet, a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev, was accused of being too violent and graphic for a family audience.

Which ballet company was criticized for its lack of diversity in its casting and programming?

  1. New York City Ballet

  2. American Ballet Theatre

  3. Royal Ballet

  4. Bolshoi Ballet


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

New York City Ballet was criticized for its lack of diversity in its casting and programming.

What was the name of the ballet that was accused of being too experimental and avant-garde for a traditional ballet audience?

  1. Rite of Spring

  2. Petrushka

  3. The Firebird

  4. Daphnis and Chloe


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rite of Spring, a ballet by Igor Stravinsky, was accused of being too experimental and avant-garde for a traditional ballet audience.

Which ballet dancer was criticized for her decision to perform en pointe in a contemporary dance piece?

  1. Sylvie Guillem

  2. Alessandra Ferri

  3. Tamara Rojo

  4. Marianela Nuñez


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sylvie Guillem, a principal dancer of the Paris Opera Ballet, was criticized for her decision to perform en pointe in a contemporary dance piece.

What was the name of the ballet that was accused of being too political and controversial for a ballet stage?

  1. Spartacus

  2. The Green Table

  3. Parade

  4. Les Noces


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Spartacus, a ballet by Aram Khachaturian, was accused of being too political and controversial for a ballet stage.

Which ballet company was criticized for its decision to stage a ballet based on the life of a controversial historical figure?

  1. New York City Ballet

  2. American Ballet Theatre

  3. Royal Ballet

  4. Bolshoi Ballet


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Bolshoi Ballet was criticized for its decision to stage a ballet based on the life of Joseph Stalin.

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