Grand pas de deux - Definition

Ballet Pas de deux (step / dance for two) is a duet in which ballet steps are performed together usually consisting of an entrée, adagio, two variations (one for each dancer), and a coda. Also duets of equestrian riders are called Pas de deux.

Grand Pas de deux refers to a duet in which a male and female dancer perform together and features:

• 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.