Insight: Ballet Glossary - Petit allegro

Akane Takada, Royal Ballet First Artist, demonstrates a petit allegro. In the second half of the film, the action is slowed down to see the detail of her footwork. Allegro - from the Italian for ’happy’. Quick, lively jumps. small jumps - petit allegro, and big jumps - grand allegro. Akane demonstrates a series of petit allegro steps: Glissade/jeté, coupé/step/jeté, pas de chat, pas de bourrée, entrechat quatre, soubresaut. Small quick steps that do no leave the ground very much are known as terre à terre dancing (ground to ground dancing). Read more: