Ballet vs. Divertissement — What's the Difference?

Ballet (French: [balɛ]) is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary.

Divertissement (from the French 'diversion' or 'amusement') is used, in a similar sense to the Italian 'divertimento', for a light piece of music for a small group of players, however the French term has additional meanings. During the 17th and 18th century, the term implied incidental aspects of an entertainment (usually involving singing and dancing) that might be inserted in an opera or ballet or other stage performance.

A classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement and by elaborate formal gestures, steps, and poses.

A short performance, typically a ballet, that is presented as an interlude in an opera, play, or other entertainment.

A theatrical presentation of group or solo dancing to a musical accompaniment, usually with costume and scenic effects, conveying a story or theme.

(Music) See divertimento.

A musical composition written or used for this dance form.

A diversion; an amusement.

A classical form of dance.

An entertaining diversion.

A theatrical presentation of such dancing, usually with music, sometimes in the form of a story.

(ballet) A short ballet within a larger work, usually providing a break from the main plot.

The company of persons who perform this dance.

A short ballet, or other entertainment, between the acts of a play.

(music) A light part song, frequently with a fa-la-la chorus, common among Elizabethan and Italian Renaissance composers.

A (small) ball i.e. roundel on a coat of arms, called a bezant, plate, etc., according to colour.

(figurative) Any intricate series of operations involving coordination between individuals.

To perform an action reminiscent of ballet dancing.

An artistic dance performed as a theatrical entertainment, or an interlude, by a number of persons, usually women. Sometimes, a scene accompanied by pantomime and dancing.

The company of persons who perform the ballet.

A light part song, or madrigal, with a fa la burden or chorus, - most common with the Elizabethan madrigal composers; - also spelled ballett.

A bearing in coats of arms, representing one or more balls, which are denominated bezants, plates, etc., according to color.

A theatrical representation of a story performed to music by ballet dancers

Music written for a ballet