History of Ballet: Origins

This is the first in my new series on the history of ballet. I’ve had many readers asking questions on where it came from, what to look for when you go to a performance, and which performances you should try and see. I’ve also had readers tell me that ballet feels slightly unapproachable, much like opera. I’m hoping this series helps de-mystify ballet, and spurs you to buy your next ticket! Today I’m focusing on the early history of ballet, and how we’ve come to the art form that we know today. Grab your tutus and tea, it is time to dig in!

Now, there is an excellent chance that if I said the phrase “history of ballet” to you, you would immediately reply with “Louis XIV”! And then end there, perhaps following it up with “Russia?”. Most of us know “Louis XIV” but none of the details, and then a blip here and there. However, ballet actually has quite a fascinating history. And if you know it, it makes watching it all the better. I’m going to point out some key figures, as well as the general timeline of ballet, and how it impacts the dance that we see today. (Also, hopefully this will help in a future pub quiz or Jeopardy appearance…)

If you are looking to learn more, I would recommend reading Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet, by Jennifer Homans. It is the only full length history of ballet as of 2019, and is excellent for the early history. (Her modern history largely focuses on American ballet.)

Homans, Jennifer. Apollos Angels: a History of Ballet. London: Granta, 2011.

History of Ballet: Italian Origins 

The French court and royals get most of the credit for ballet, but I would argue that some is also due to the Italian court. The French had long been known for hosting elaborate and extravagant feasts and entertainment. However, they weren’t as elaborate and extravagant as those of the Italians. Fireworks, magicians, feasts of fifteen and twenty courses, plays of twenty or thirty actors were all common. (Always accompanied by the appropriate and elaborate costumes, of course.) “The Italians also performed simple but elegant social dances known as balli and balletti, which consisted of graceful, rhythmic walking steps danced at formal balls and ceremonies, or on occasion stylized pantomime performances”. (Apollo’s Angels, p. 4) And who brought these to France but the infamous Catherine de Medici. She was consort to French King Henri II, and mother to Kings Francis II, Charles IX, and Henri III. Overseeing court entertainments and banquets for years, ballet flourished in a meeting of Italian and French culture.

History of Ballet: A French Art Form 

So, we know that it originated at the Italian courts and migrated to France with Catherine de Medici. Why did it flourish in France? Catherine’s sons shared her love of theatre, dance, and spectacle, and continued the tradition throughout their reigns. The “monarchs were known to promenade through the streets at night dressed en travesti, adorned with gold and silver veils and Venetian masks, accompanied by courtiers in similar attire. Chivalric themes enacted with dancing, singing, and demonstration of equestrian skill made for impressive theatrical collages.” (Apollo’s Angels, p.4) Given the absolute power of the French monarchs, the court and nobles were always quick to emulate any of the King’s behaviour. Successive kings promote and enjoy these court balletti and theatricals, and the aristocrats were only too happy to learn and take part themselves. It was rather the perfect storm for ballet to flourish and grow as an art form…

History of Ballet: King Louis XIV

Louis XIII had quite an interest in ballet. They still weren’t ballets as we know them today, but were stories acted out by the King and his court with stylised actions. Louis XIII created many of his own ballets, designing the costumes and taking lead roles. The biggest change that took place during his reign was the stage. At the beginning of his reign, theatres were just open spaces- there was no seating, and no raised stage. By the end of his reign, “the stage was elevated several inches from the floor, and wings, curtains, trapdoors, backdrops, and machinery to hoist clouds and chariots into the ‘sky’ were fixed in place.” (Apollo’s Angels, p.11)

While King Louis XIII did continue the tradition of ballet at French court, his son Louis XIV is still known as the King who pioneered in ballet. Louis XIV’s court was elaborate in all that it did. Daily rituals dominated court life, Versailles was built in Louis’s reign, and everything held great meaning. And for the younger Louis, ballet was significant as it was a form of worship of the king’s physical body.  “No monarch placed more emphasis on the veneration of the king’s body than… Louis XIV…. Making his debut in 1651 at age thirteen, Louis danced roles in some forty major productions until his final appearance eighteen years later in the Ballet de Flore of 1669.” (Apollo’s Angels, p. 11)

Louis’s love ballet was not simply about the art form. He did love ballet, both participating and watching it. It also wasn’t simply another way to show royal power anymore. “Under Louis XIV, dance because much more than a blunt instrument with which to display royal opulence and power. He made it integral to life at court, a symbol and requirement of aristocratic identity… It was at Louis’s court that the practices of royal spectacle and aristocratic social dance was distilled and refined; it was under his auspices that the rules and conventions governing the art of classical ballet were born.” (Apollo’s Angels, p. 12) It was under Louis that ballet began to be a codified system, with standards to follow. Louis spent hours a day practising ballet, and his courtiers did the same. While it wasn’t anything like what ballet dancers do now, it was quite a serious and systematic approach.

History of Ballet: Beyond France

Because Louis’s court was the envy of monarchs across Europe, ballet quickly became fashionable across the continent. Germany, Poland, Spain, and Portugal all embraced ballet. While ballet wasn’t necessarily featured to the degree that it was in France, ballet dancers were featured more and more in operas and plays. There were even ballet troupes in the period, which would travel and visit different courts for performances. In the next post in the series, we will be looking at the evolution of different schools of ballet across Europe…

In the meantime, please read my post on the best books on ballet to get started!

♠

Our systematic study of ballet today is due to Louis XIV, and it is why you will see standards across ballet dancers. Although different schools will have different techniques, you will notice consistencies. Legs raised to the front side and back, set arm positions, and a broad carriage of the neck and head are all notable. When you next see the ballet, try to spot the consistencies across all of the dancers!

The history of ballet is quite long and winding; did you know of the kings and queens who spread ballet across Europe? 

Cheers,
The Historian
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