1. Ballet History

2. The Beginning Catherine Medici
Born1519 to powerful Medici family of Italy
Orphan as a child
Raised in a convent where she learned Latin and Greek.
Married at age 14 to Duke Henry II of Orleans, the future King of France.
Brought the delights of ice cream, artichokes, cosmetics and ballet to France

3. Ballet Comique de la Reine (1581)
1st ballet; performed in France
Created for Catherine Medici’s sisters wedding
“comique” refers to “drama”
10,000 ppl went; lasted 6 hrs.
No stage; audience sat in galleries above performers.
Elaborate costumes and scenery; it set the model for royal court entertainment throughout Europe.

4. The First Ballets Danced by nobles not professionals.
Court dances used geometric patterns.
Costumes were typical of the era (ruffles, plumes, big skirts, etc….) Men and boys played all roles including the roles of females.

5. King Louis the XIV
King of France; was a dancer and an influential patron of the arts.
Famous for role as the Sun King (Le Roi Soleil).
Instrumental in establishing dance as a profession for both men and women.
He favored themed ballets based on Greek myths with dancers portraying gods and goddesses.

6. King Louis the XIV

7. Academie Royale de la Musique
Established by King Louis the XIV
Females started being used for the female roles.
In 17th century, ballet performances started to be held in theatres instead of ballrooms and halls.
The King summoned Pierre Beauchamps to serve as ballet master for the Academie Royale.
Beauchamps also established the 5 positions of the feet.

8. Pierre Beauchamps

9. Paris Opera Ballet
The Academie Royale de la Musique became known as the Paris Opera Ballet in the next century
The World’s oldest ballet company.
The Paris Opera produced the first prima ballerina: Mille de la Fontaine.
Claude “Jean” Balon was another famous dancer during this era. Known for his huge jumps.

10. Ballet in the late 18th Century
Dancers expanded their technique by adding beats, turns, and leg extensions.
Ballet themes moved from mythological to realistic with humanistic elements.

11. Romantic Ballet
Female dancers took on the leading roles, and appeared as fairies.
They would rise onto the tips of their toes, enhancing the ballerinas’ fairy-like quality.

12. Marie Taglioni Famous ballerina during Romantic period.
Danced with the Paris Opera Ballet.
Most known for her work on the ballet: La Sylphide.
Transformed ballet with her use of pointe shoes.
Became so famous that fans bought a pair of her pointe shoes & then put them into a sauce, which they ate.

13. Elements of Romantic Ballet (during Romantic Period)
A two act form (1st act, intermission, 2nd act)
A plot centered on love or a love triangle
Dramatic action of characters, characters were both realistic and fantastic (not fantastic as in Ms. Eveler but as in fantasy or fairytale or fake)
Characters supported by a chorus (called corps de ballet)
Music supported the setting of the mood
Typical costumes for females incorporated wings, long flowing skirts, and pointe shoes.
Famous ballets of this era were La Sylphide, Giselle, Pas de Quatre.

14. The Classical Ballet Era
Occurred in last half of the 19th century in Russia
Although born in France, Marius Petipa danced with Russian Ballet & quickly became a famous dancer and choreographer in St. Petersburg, Italy.
His famous ballets include: Don Quixote, La Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Swan Lake.
Enrico Cechetti, also Italian, worked under Petipa and is known for the development of a daily ballet curriculum as he created a logical progression of class exercises (ballet barre & center work where 1 step leads to another).

15. Elements of Classical Ballet
A hierarchy of dancers, character dances
A grande pas de deux.
The ballerina and other female dancers used tutus
Men used tunics, peasant shirts and vests
Famous classical ballets include: Coppelia, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake.

16. Modern Day Pointe Shoes

17. Miscellaneous Ballet Information
Tutus for dancers vary depending on their level & their role. The more advanced dancers have shorter, more firm tutus that aren’t necessarily made of tule.