BASIC BALLET

A big, extensive and very well designed book on beginning ballet makes its appeal to all ages and presents qualified instructions for the basic positions, the battements, developpes, port de bras, free movement- up to but not including toe dancing. Well known in both the music and the graphic arts world, Mr. English has combined his talents with Mr. Zolov's experience as head of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and the result is- in text, with many photographs and two 45 rpm records of voice instructions- a fairly complete first course. There is good introductory advice that stresses the importance of starting age (8 for girls and 10 for boys), and of good teaching. Whether the book is meant as a supplement to teaching or as a self teacher-is open to question; its use in either case may be approved or disapproved by those with their own fixed ideas. But for general purpose and an over-all introduction to the art it has its definite value as a very attractive and informative treatment that should stimulate and satisfy a rising interest in ballet.