Ballet Webb: Throwback Thursday and Borzoi

Throwback Thursday and Borzoi

In the ballet Giselle, live Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound) dogs are often part of the background scene. I began to wonder about their history in ballet.

One source states that they may be related to the many supernatural elements present in ballet, and that in 1911 the character of the goddess Artemis made an appearance leading two live Borzoi dogs in the ballet Sylvia. https://books.google.com/books?id=up1ADwAAQBAJ&pg=PT126&lpg=PT126&dq=History+of+Borzoi+dogs+in+%22ballet%22&source=bl&ots=0bxevdeL_8&sig=ACfU3U3nqIh3RcoHlU3Ugj9h3-UdshHH6Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjY3rKp0PrhAhWjPOwKHe0vAAYQ6AEwDnoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=History%20of%20Borzoi%20dogs%20in%20%22ballet%22&f=false.

Another source https://todiscoverrussia.com/russian-borzoi/ talks about the history of the breed itself. The word Borzoi in old Russian means fast, and this dog is able to achieve speed for short distances. The breed appeared in Russian in the 15^th century and was used in Grand Ducal (relating to a “Grand Duke”) hunting – a very expensive activity that was only available to upper class nobility. This would explain why the dogs in Giselle are being led onstage by the royal characters.

So there you are. The dogs were a part of royal hunting and this fact made its way into the tradition of ballet.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Secret #221:

“Real Borzoi dogs are seen in Giselle.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdNlGRjbso0

Quote of the Day:

“Rule with the heart of a servant. Serve with the heart of a king.”
― Bill Johnson

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