Ballet History The Beginning Catherine Medici v Born

Ballet History

The Beginning Catherine Medici v Born 1519 to powerful Medici family of Italy v Orphan as a child v Raised in a convent where she learned Latin and Greek. v Married at age 14 to Duke Henry II of Orleans, the future King of France. v Brought the delights of ice cream, artichokes, cosmetics and ballet to France

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

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

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

King Louis the XIV

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

Pierre Beauchamps

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

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

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

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

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

The Classical Ballet Era v Occurred in last half of the 19 th century in Russia v Although born in France, Marius Petipa danced with Russian Ballet & quickly became a famous dancer and choreographer in St. Petersburg, Italy. v His famous ballets include: Don Quixote, La Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Swan Lake. v 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).

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

Modern Day Pointe Shoes

Ballet Company Dancer Rankings v 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. v Corps de ballet – lowest rank in a company; mostly females; many stay at this level their entire career v Character artists – Corps dancers who perform roles with a lot of acting as well as dancing v Soloist – perform solos; often understudy principal dancer; occasionally perform principal role when principal can’t; some companies have senior or 1 st soloist rankings; v. Prinicipal dancer – star of company; leading roles; as many men as women prinicipals; sometimes perform with other companies as guest artists