Coryphee

coryphee Coryph'ee , n.
(Drama) A ballet dancer who performs in small ensembles

As I went to the ballet tonight to see an excellent performance of Madame Butterfly by the Northern Ballet Theatre, today's word is ballet-related. I was curious to find out what the coryphee in my programme were and they are actually in the ballet scheme of things some of the lowest ranking ballet dancers. After the coryphee, come the corps de ballet. Here is some interesting information about ballerinas.

"After several seasons as part of the corps de ballet, Jason and Karine were delighted to be promoted to coryphee which is a rank below soloist."

There is a related word coryphaeus.

"Karine was the coryphaeus for the large group of dancers."

Coryphee or tea, sir?