Ballet in the Renaissance Period

During the Renaissance (1300-1600) Italian city-states grew in wealth, and affluent dukes introduced special art centers that competed with each other. The dukes held fancy entertainments where dance performances were popular, and the dance performances developed into formal dances. Later, mimes and actors were added to the performances, and the court dances grew into a highly technical form of dance -- namely, ballet.

  1. What Is Ballet?

    • Typically, the romantic ballet form, with ballerinas on pointe in stiff tutus, is the best-known. Yet, there are other forms of ballet, in which the movements are less rigid. Contemporary ballet is a form that uses the abdominal strength from classical ballet but the dancers do not have to use the strict body lines that are required in classical ballet.

    Ballo

    • The first type of ballet consisted of dancing performances that the highest nobility in Italian city-states arranged. The ballet, or ballo, started as court pageantry. Large events were held to celebrate weddings, and these events could be compared to the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. Illustrations from the dancing shows luxuriously designed ballet costumes, where semitransparent guaze was made of cotton and silk mixed with flax. In 1489 Bergonzio di Botta, Italian dance master, arranged dances to complement the food served at a wedding. These events were a huge success and the dancing festivities became very popular.

    Ballet Comique de la Reine

    • In 1581 the Italian noblewoman Catherine de'Medici took this dancing style with her to France when she married the French crown heir Henry II. The dancing style led to "Ballet Comique de la Reine," a lavish entertainment organized around the myth of the Greek goddess Circe. This dance lasted for over five hours, and Queen Louise and the women at court preformed the dance.

    The First Ballet

    • Ballet Comique de la Reine, is considered as the first ballet. It told a story and was an effort to blend verse, music, dance and scenic elements together. Spectacular costumes made an impression on the audience, and printed copies of the verse was handed out to the audience so they could follow the story line. The dance technique, though, was limited by later standards.

    French Ballet Masters

    • The extended text, or libretto, and the music to the dance were written down and sent to courts around Europe. Pictures of the events were also included, and courts around Europe were so impressed by the events that they sent for French ballet masters. So, the Italian term "ballo" came to be replaced with the French word "ballet."

    Theater Performances

    • From the beginning of the sixteenth century, ballet dancing was combined with processional festivities and masquerades. These activities took place in newly built theaters around Europe. Paris became the capital of the ballet world, and King Louis XIV, the "Sun King," founded the Royal Academy of Dancing. The idea was to train professional dancers. King Louis XIV enjoyed ballet and took part in the ballets given at his court. Toward the end of the performance the audience used to join, and everyone danced together.