If you have ever wondered where ballet came from, you may be surprised to learn that it actually originated in Renaissance Italy. The term ballet is actually an Italian diminutive of the French word ballare, meaning “to dance” or “to leap about.” This kind of dance developed into a standard form, a result of King Louis XIV’s passion for the dance. From then on, ballet evolved from a simple dance into a complete art form.
Ballet was first performed in court as a part of royal marriage celebrations. The King’s son Dauphin had become engaged to Maria Theresa of Spain. The composer Jean Philippe Rameau collaborated with author Voltaire to write the ballet. Voltaire is best known for his satirical novels and he had to write the ballet for the royal court’s strict specifications. The dancers of the ballet had to perform it with the exact precision of the court’s decrees.
In the early 1800s, ballet was geared towards the upper classes. Ballerinas wore elaborate costumes and headdresses. These costumes were very detailed and often made moving them difficult. The costumes made it difficult for dancers to move freely, so they were usually forced to dance in simple positions. However, with the development of pointe work and the introduction of the beloved tutu, ballet became more feminine. Women took the lead roles, soaring across the stage like delicate fairies. By the middle of the nineteenth century, ballet became an art form dominated by women.
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