Ballet Terms

Cabriole

Pronunciation: /kabʁijɔl/

What does “Cabriole” mean in ballet?

( ; meaning 'caper.') An allegro step in which the extended legs are beaten in the air. Cabrioles are divided into two categories: petite, which are executed at 45 degrees, and grande, which are executed at 90 degrees. The working leg is thrust into the air, the underneath leg follows and beats against the first leg, sending it higher. The landing is then made on the underneath leg. Cabriole may be done devant, derrière and à la seconde in any given position of the body such as croisé, effacé, écarté, and so on.

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Definition adapted from Glossary of ballet on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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