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History of Ballet
Ballet is a form of dance used to evoke emotions, convey moods, and tell
stories. Its techniques are used to give the illusion of defying gravity and to give dancers the appearance of being suspended in air. It is a form of great athletic ability and grace and takes many years to perfect.
The word "ballet" is French in origin, but "balleto" was the term used first in Italy to describe the dance interpretation of fencing. During the 15th century Italian Renaissance these elaborate productions were performed between courses of banquets in the courts of Italy.
It was out of the court of Queen Catherine de Medicis that the ballet was brought to France. Her love of the art followed her to France when she married King Henry II in 1553 and introduced it to their culture.
Louis XIV established the Acadamie Royale de Danse in 1661 in France. It is interesting to note that at first all dancers were men. They wore masks to play the role of the women. It was not until 1681 that the first women appeared in a theater production.
Pointe technique is classic to ballet today but it did not begin to develop until the late 1700’s. Special shoes were not used at this time but soft slippers were simply reinforced with darning.
The Romantic Ballet was a period during the 1800’s when women dominated the ballet in Paris. La Sylphide first performed in 1832 initiated the popularity of the white tutu which is still seen today.
Decline in Paris of the popularity of ballet began in the late 1800’s, but Denmark and Russia preserved its integrity and brought back its popularity with the opening of “The Ballets Russes” in Paris in 1909. Famous names like Vaslav Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova emerged to the forefront.
The United States held open arms to the art and two great American ballet companies were founded in New York in 1940, the American Ballet Theater, and the New York City Ballet. More emphasis was being placed on athleticism and difficult steps were admired. The influence of a younger audience was being felt and changed the mood of the ballet by 1960. Popular music like Rock and Roll and Jazz found its way into many ballets at this time and broadened the popularity of this great art.
Contemporary ballet today combines classical ballet and modern dance and does not adhere to the strict body lines set forth by schools of ballet technique. One should still be in awe of the beauty of ballet and the poise and mastery of the style. Dancers are required to perform movements unnatural to the body and yet they do it seemingly without effort.
Ballet is an experience and appreciation of the wonders of the human body in motion. Just once in your life you need to be treated to the art of ballet.
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