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The surprising origin: How was the Can-Can dance born?
Can-Can dance is a high-energy, physical dance that originated in France in the mid-19th century. It was especially popular in concert halls in the 1840s and is still popular in French singing and dancing today. This dance was originally performed by couples, but today it is traditionally performed by a chorus of female dancers. Key features of the dance include intense swings of skirts and petticoats, as well as moves such as high kicks, splits and cartwheels.
History
The Can-Can dance is thought to have evolved from the final movement of the quadrille. Although the exact origins of the dance are unknown, some scholars believe that its steps may have been inspired by the famous performer Charles-François Mazurier in the 1820s, who was famous for his acrobatic dances, including the Big Split. (grand écart), which became one of the popular elements of Can-Can.
The Can-Can dance was considered a provocative dance and was once suppressed.
In the 19th century, aprons worn by women were designed with crotch openings, making high kicks particularly revealing. Despite this, there is no evidence that Can-Can dancers wore specially made underwear. However, it is said that the management of the Moulin Rouge does not allow dancers to wear too revealing underwear. Occasionally, people dancing the Can-Can were arrested in public dance halls, but there is no record of the dance being officially banned.
The development of Can-Can
As the Can-Can grew in popularity, professional performers emerged, however the dances were still performed by individual dancers rather than a choir. By the 1890s, with the rise of dancers such as La Goulue and Jane Avril, the financial possibilities of becoming a full-time dancer became apparent. The most famous male Can-Can dancer of the time was Valentin le Désossé, a frequent partner of La Goulou.
In the 1920s, Pierre Sandrini created the spectacular "French Can-Can" at the Moulin Rouge.
Can-Can outside France
Can-Can is also a hit in concert halls outside France, where dancers form choreographed teams. This choreographic style was introduced to France in the 1920s to attract tourists, and "French Can-Can" was born. It is a highly choreographed dance that lasts over ten minutes and allows individual dancers to showcase their specialties.
The first appearance of the Can-Can in the United States occurred in 1867, performed by Giuseppina Morlacchi at the Comedy Theater in Boston. The new dance was enthusiastically received, and soon the Can-Can became popular in dance halls across the United States.
By the 1890s, the Can-Can was gradually being replaced by other dances in New York dance halls.
The influence of Can-Can in art
Many composers have composed music for Can-Can, the most famous of which is French composer Jacques Offenbach's "Galop Infernal" (Galop Infernal), which is from his opera "Underworld" Orpheus". Additionally, many other productions have been associated with Can-Can, including Franz Lehár's The Happy Couple and Cole Porter's Can-Can the Musical, while The musical was later adapted into a film in 1960.
Can-Can’s continuing impact
Can-Can has not only become a classic in the dance world, but has also appeared in numerous film and television productions. Can-Can's dance plays an important role in Baz Luhrmann's film Moulin Rouge. On the cruise ship "It's a Small World" in all Disney theme parks, you can also see some dolls showing the Can-Can dance to represent France, its country of origin.
Today, the influence of Can-Can dance still focuses on the intersection of classic and modern culture. Will this dance form continue to evolve over time? What kind of changes may it develop?
