A Brief History of Ballet

1. A Brief History of Ballet

2. Fast Facts The word ballet originated from the Italian word ballare, meaning “to dance.” Ballet as we know it today, is very different from the ballet people knew 20, 50, even 100 years ago! In fact, this dance technique has been developing around the world for hundreds of years. Other types of dance – such as modern, jazz, lyrical & contemporary – were founded on ballet technique, which is why we begin our dance studies here.

3. Dance in the Middle Ages Dance was an important part of life in the Middle Ages for people of all social and economic levels Peasants danced at street fairs and town events; nobles danced in the castle halls The dances were often for partners and groups to dance together, sometimes dancing in circles, lines, or intricate patterns. This type of dancing is known as Social Dance.

4. Ballet in the Renaissance 1500’s: wealth of the Renaissance brought the development of court dances Mostly for the benefit and entertainment of royalty – a chance to be star of the party and entertain guests These “ballets” used popular social dances of the time with myths or poetry, music, miming and costumes. Dances were often performed by the host and his friends – no women allowed! Men played all the parts.

5. The French Queen Catherine de Medici commissioned the 1st ballet Le Ballet-Comique de la Reine King Louis XIV was nick-named The Sun King after performing in Le Ballet de la Nuit 1500’s As Apollo, 1653

6. Birth of the Ballet Master Dinner Ballets were gaining popularity in Europe, particularly among French royalty (Medici, Louis XIV) With countries divided, nobles of rival states were constantly trying to out-do and impress the other states. Demand for new and more impressive dances created a need for “the dance master.” Dance Master: choreographed ballets, trained royals... UNTIL demand was so great, that professional dancers were required

7. The Ballet Boom 1600’s: Ballet gains such popularity that professional dancers leave the ballrooms; start training at places like The Royal Academy of Dance (first dance school ever!) RAD, led by French dance masters, develops 5 feet positions and ballet technique as we now know it. The Paris Opera becomes the center of the professional ballet world through the early 1700’s Bring on the women! Ballerinas are welcomed to a “man’s world” Story ballets are staged beyond France and Italy – spreading to England, Russia and colonial America

8. Romantic vs Classical Marie Taglione Romantic Tutu Uliana Lopatkina Classical Tutu

9. Styles Transition 1800’s: Romantic Ballet tells fairy tales, mythological adventures, features the ballerina Soft and pretty movements match delicate costumes Tutus that reach ankles/knees are bold for the times Late 1800’s: Russia takes the lead in Ballet productions Russia pushes boundaries with sharper technique and shorter tutus! Short skirts show off the long legs and foot work

10. Ballet Takes off in USA 20th century: ballet soars in Russia and through Europe The Ballet Russes, Kirov Ballet, The Royal Ballet Politics, civil rights and opportunity lead to America Russian star George Balanchine founds School of American Ballet (1934) and NYCBallet Company (1948) Ballet explodes across the country in decades to follow Contemporary ballet begins to develop; choreographers explore ballets without traditional costumes and fairy tales

11. excerpt of Don Quixote pas de deux, ABT excerpt of Balanchine's Rubies, NYCB