The Invention Of Ballet During The 19th Century

The origin of ballet is often mistakenly claimed as beginning in France; however, it actually begun in the courts of Italy during the 15th century. Ballet started as an art form for nobility, taught by dancing masters and performed during ceremonies like weddings. Nearly a century later, the wife of King Henry II of France and Italian noblewoman, Catherine de Medici brought ballet to the French court. She greatly influenced the popularity of ballet during grand parties and events. During the 17th century ballet became a common entertainment, popularized by King Louis XIV; however there wasn’t any formal training. It wasn’t until 1661 when the first dance school, Academie Royale de Danse, opened with the backing of King Louis XIV. After the opening of a formal training school the Romantic Period (19th century) fostered many of the classics performed today, such as Giselle and La Sylphide. It was during this period that ballet began to take off in Russia. Famous choreographers and composers, like Petipa and Ivanov developed some of the greatest classics; Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. During this period, steps started to become more difficult, pointe work was
Balanchine was a front runner of new ballets. Balanchine was born and raised in Russia where he began his love for ballet. By his teen years he created his first ballet La Nuit, a pas de deux. After creating many ballets for Ballet Ruse, he applied to the Soviet authorities to create a ballet about human sacrifice called The Rite of Spring. It was refused. Political climate in Russia began to heat up and Balanchine decided it was best to move. He worked across Europe before settling in New York City and started New York City Ballet, one of the top ballet companies in the world. Here he created Rite of Spring, Serenade, Jewels, and hundreds of timeless