Ballet Dictionary: Pas Failli
Photo by Mark Sumaylo • Text by Abigail Oliveiro
What: Pas Failli
How: The term Failli means to “give away” and in full, Pas Failli would mean the step of giving away. A pas failli is known as a transitional step as it usually prepares for another jump. How this is done in a jump sequence would be that the dancer would typically begin from fifth position in a plié. As the dancer jumps and sissone’s in the air (with a quarter of a twist to change directions), the legs momentarily join in fifth (pictured). The dancer would then disengage the back leg into a small arabesque before landing while passing the back leg forward through to a fourth position. The dancer would then proceed and finish the Pas Failli with another jump.
Ballet: Bluebird Male Variation, Sleeping Beauty, Act 3
Dancer: Dominic Lor, Company Artist
Location: Ballet Manila Studio 2
