Grand Assemblé en Tournant

This video presents grand assemblé en tournant or double assemblé by José Manuel Carreño, Leonid Sarafanov, and Manuel Legris. An assemblé is a common step in which the dancer in fifth position brushes the working leg up and assembles the legs in the air, landing on both feet in fifth position. The step can be performed numerous ways, front, back, side moving forward, side moving backward. Grand assemblé en tournant (big turning assemble, sometimes called a double assemblé) is a men’s step. From a running start, the dancer brushes one leg into the air, assembles both feet, and does 1-1/2 or two turns in the air with two spots of the head, landing on both feet in fifth position. When done well, a double assemblé is a spectacular step, frequently seen in men’s solos in such ballets as La Bayedére and Don Quixote. Thanks to pediatrapaola and ballet janie for comments on a previous version.