What does “Coupé” mean in ballet?
( ; meaning 'cut.') Coupé is both a step and action. It is commonly executed from cou-de-pied front to cou-de-pied back or vice versa. It may also be done from an extended leg position into fondu or directly through fifth position (as in concluding a jeté ). Coupé can only be performed through a closed leg position. The Vaganova School rarely uses the term coupé except as the preparation for specific allegros. Rather, "tombé through fifth position" is more commonly used. In the United States, "coupé" may be used to denote the position cou-de-pied, not unlike "passé" is used to denote the position retiré in addition to the action of passing through retiré.
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Definition adapted from Glossary of ballet on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nearby terms
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