Danse des petits cygnes is a famous dance from [Pyotr Ilyich] Tchaikovsky‘s Swan Lake, from the ballet’s second act, the fourth movement of No. 13. Translated from French, it means “Dance of the Little Swans”, also known as “Dance of the cygnets”. It is very challenging because all dancers must look the same.

This short video from medici.tv features the precise footwork of the Corps de Ballet, “the group of dancers who are not soloists,” for the l’Opéra national de Paris. They performed this celebrated Pas de Quatre in 2006 at the Opéra Bastille in Paris, France.

Next, watch Ballet Swan Lake Fouetée: Nureyev and Fonteyn. Plus: The Waltz of the Snowflakes & The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.