Although it is an incredibly niche area of history, I love researching and writing pieces on the history of ballet. Not everyone is a dancer, but many people are interested in the history of ballet. Whether you were hooked when you saw The Nutcracker at 5, or later in life, ballet has something for everyone. Evolving over centuries, ballet has a rich history. And knowing the history behind it can make what you see on the stage even more beautiful. Now that my history of ballet series has wrapped up, I’ve gathered them all in one place!
If you are new to my history of ballet series (or the blog in general), you don’t need any background at all to read these. I believe that ballet should always be accessible and approachable, including its history! (All of the arts should be, really.) If you have any lingering questions after, or comments you would like to share, feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email– I’m always happy to chat about the history of ballet.
History of Ballet: Origins
We start with the very beginnings of ballet, which may or not surprise you. Although Louis XIV of France formalised the practice of ballet, an Italian queen is actually the first to bring it to France. So, where did it start?
History of Ballet: A New Star and Different Schools
What are the two things that we all associate with ballet? Dancing en pointe (on your toes) and ballerinas. Here I explore the first true ballerina, and how different schools started to diverge in technique. And of course, those pointe shoes that we all have come to love!
Although ballet arrived relatively late to Russia (compared to Europe), the Russian court and society in general embraced ballet quickly. There is a lot of myth and mystery around Russian ballet, so we look at how ballet developed in Russia and how we can see it’s lasting legacy now.
History of Ballet: British Ballet
The Royal Ballet and Margot Fonteyn loom large in twentieth century ballet, and for good reason. I explore how ballet took root in Britain, and how British dancers and companies quickly grew into global superstars. (Interestingly, the Royal Ballet is one of the few companies regularly streaming productions this far into 2020.)
History of Ballet: North America
The last of my series, this post is looking at the ballet’s history in North America. Note: I said North America, and not the US- Canada has a thriving ballet scene, too. Newer than its European counterpart, North American ballet has had its own evolution- we see many changes in ballet in North America before we do in Europe.
The Best Books on the History of Ballet
If you are looking to do some of your own research on ballet history, I’ve gathered my favourite books here. Most of them aren’t written by historians/academics, and they all read very easily. Some do require some background knowledge, but my posts should be enough to get you going. I’ve also included my favourite books on ballet technique, if you are looking to understand the technique that you see on the stage!
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Never fear, my ballet posts will still be continuing. I’ve got more planned for the rest of the year, including another in October and a deeper look at The Nutcracker. In 2021, I plan on doing more looks at specific ballets that loom large in ballet, much like my look at La Bayadère.
Have you checked out my ballet history series?
Cheers,
The Historian
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