1. A brief introduction on the history of Ballet as we know it.
Ballet History
A brief introduction on the history of Ballet as we know it.

3. Written Records of Dance
The understanding of what types of dances were done before any written record comes from musical scores, literary references and artistic depictions.
No record of dance or dance instruction books until the 15th century.
The first manuscripts found discussed the skills and duties of the dance masters (instructors).
Dance master would then document choreography.

4. Classical Ballet History
Began in the 16th Century (1500’s)
Court dances in Renaissance Italy and France.
Italian court ballets were further developed in France under the reign of Queen Catherine de Medicis.
Most dance historians believe this to be the first troupe to perform the first ballet (Le Ballet Comique de la Reine - The Queen’s Ballet Comedy). It was said to be just over 5 ½ hours long.
Dance technique was extremely limited so they depended on spectacular costumes and scenery to impress the audience. To make sure that the audience understood the story, they provided printed copies of the verses used in the ballet.
Very different from the Ballet we know today.
Extravagant and lavish costumes
Masks and costumes
Performed by or for nobility
Became more serious and theatrical in the late 16th century.

6. Louis XIV (The Sun King)
Paris was known as the “Capitol of the Ballet World”.
Louis XIV had dances as part of entertainment (Ballet de cour).
He helped ballet evolve into a professional theater experience.
Moved from using members of the court to professional dancers when he became to big to perform himself.
Started using dance in plays to help enhance the plot.

7. Academie Royale de Dance
Established in 1661 by Louis XIV
Dance masters were appointed to set artistic standards for teaching and training dancers for court ballet such as Pierre Bauchamp
Established a vocabulary for dance steps and created the 5 basic positions for feet and arms.
With serious training, the French professionals developed skills that had been impossible for the amateurs.
The French terminology created by the Academie has become the standard for the ballet world and is still used today.

8. Acedemie Royale de Dance Cont.
Ballet moved from the courts to a proscenium stage.
Dances from the early 18th century can still be seen today.
Although dance had moved to a stage, costumes and movement still reflected courtly heritage.
In 1760, the French choreographer Jean Georges Noverre criticized the professional dancers of the Acedemie in his book Lettres sur la danse, et sur les ballets (Letters on Dancing and Ballets). Noverre complained that the dancers cared too much about showing their technical skills, and too little about the true purpose of ballet.
Noverre urged that ballet dancers stop using masks, bulky costumes, and large wigs to illustrate or explain plot and character.
Noverre developed the ballet d'action, a form of dramatic ballet that told the story completely through movement.

9. Evolution of Ballet Male dominance of Ballet was being challenged.
Women started wearing less restrictive clothing.
Allowed more freedom of upper body movement.
Change in clothing affected dance technique and style.
Movements became more difficult.
Choreography started to include leaps, jumps and turns.
Started to depict a meaning and/or message. Ballets began to tell stories.
The Romantic Ballet period started to evolve.
Used mythical characters.
Created atmospheres of wonder and excitement.

11. Classical Ballet Easily identifiable Elaborate costumes
Fairytale of fables
Classical music
Three categories of dancers
Principals
Soloists
Corps de ballet

12. Photo examples of Classical Ballet

14. Contemporary Ballet
Similar to classical in that choreography still uses the same basic steps and positions.
May wear Pointe shoes, slippers or bare feet.
Lack of story line or plot.
More concerned with movement than a story.
Elimination of elaborate sets and props.
Movement is more abstract and free.

15. Photo examples of Contemporary Ballet

17. Video Footage
Ballet Video #1
Ballet Video #2