Ballet originated in 15th century Italian Renaissance courts, where dancing and music were featured in lavish events. It was introduced to the French court in the 16th century by Catherine de Medici. The first ballet was created in 1581. Ballet flourished in the 17th century under Louis XIV, who opened the first ballet school. In the 18th-19th centuries, ballet evolved further with the creation of pointe shoes and tutus, and the rise of prominent choreographers and ballet companies in France and Russia. Modern ballet has spread globally and incorporates both classical and contemporary styles.

1. A Brief History of Ballet

2. Introduction
When it comes to dancing,
there is nothing quite like the
style and elegance of ballet.
Virtually every other style of
dance originates with ballet,
and all styles are compared to
ballet in one way or another.

3. Introduction cont…
∗ When it comes to art, precision and flow, ballet
doesn’t take a backseat to any other style of dance.
∗ Here is a brief history and timeline of this classic form
or expression.

4. In the Beginning
The beginning of ballet can be traced back to the Italian
Renaissance courts of the 15th century. During that time,
dancing and music were the featured in lavish events
performed for the noblemen and women of the day.
Wedding celebrations were among the main types of
events where the masters of dance taught their craft to
the nobility. From these humble beginnings, the art of
ballet was born.

5. The 16th Century
In 1547, Catherine de Medicis became the queen of France.
Her family were the rulers of Florence, Italy and she
introduced the French court to the same dance she
learned in Italy.
What is widely considered the very first ballet was created
by the queen’s chief musician Balthasar de Beaujoyeux in
1581. It was called Le Ballet comique de la Reine, was over
five hours long and combined dance, special effects,
singing and the spoken word.

6. The 17th Century
In the 17th century:
∗Louis XIV helped to revive the French’s interest in ballet by
taking part in the ballets performed at his court.
∗ He opened the first ballet school in 1661. The school was
called l’Academie Royale de Danse and was designed for
dancers to learn how to perform for him.
∗ The five classic ballet positions were created by Pierre
Beauchamps sometime around 1670.
∗ In 1681 ballets switched from the courts to the stage with the
French opera Le Triomphe de l’Amour.

7. The 18th Century
In the 18th century:
∗ French ballet dancers that have been trained professionally
start performing in public around 1708.
∗ The Russian Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg was founded in
1738.
∗ Dance costumes continue to be modified until Marie Camargo
donned tights and removed the heels from her dance shoes,
creating the ballet slipper.
∗ Jean-Georges Noverre of France rejects opera ballets and
pushes for ballet as a distinct art form all its own.

8. The 19th Century
In the 19th century:
∗ Ballets inspired by Greek dramas and myths fall out of
favor and fairytales, love stories and tales of escape
grow in popularity.
∗ Italian dancer and teacher Carlo Blasis pens volumes on
the theory and history of ballet and codifies ballet
techniques between 1820 and 1830.
∗ Pointe shoes and tutus portray female dancers as
heavenly beings, floating on air. The concept of the
prima ballerina is born.

9. 19th Century cont…
∗ The first romantic ballet,
called La Sylphide is created in
1832 by Italian choreographer
Filippo Taglioni.
∗ French dancer Marius Petipa
joins the Russian Imperial
Ballet in 1847, which vaults the
city to the top of the ballet
world.

10. Modern Ballet
Ballet continued to evolve during the 20th century, spreading to
North America and other parts of the world. Many different
countries around the world now have at least one ballet school
and company.
Several choreographers began crafting ballets with no definitive
story line, allowing the body movement to express the music
and translate human emotion.
Today, ballet includes both classical forms and traditional
stories, as well as contemporary choreography and innovations.
It continues to grow without losing sight of its origin.

11. References
http://www.pbt.org/community-engagement/brief-history-ballet
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/ballet/
CBC News