Curtain Up!

Welcome to the Ballet!

Once upon a time, in the late 15th Century renaissance court culture of Italy,’Ballo’ (Ballet) was born. Originally intended as an interpretation of fencing, the choreography was adapted from court dance steps in collaboration with the court musicians and was typically performed at aristocratic weddings and other lavish events. The performers dressed in the attire of the time, meaning that women were a long ways away from anything resembling modern day ballet costumes, including the classical tutu, as their dresses were so conservative they allowed for very minimal movement and reached all the way down to their ankles! It leaves me in amazement to think about how far ballet has come!

Ballet was brought to France from Italy by the great Catherine de’ Medici when she maried Henry II of France in the 1530′s

Catherine de’ Medici

King Henry II of France

 Engraving of the second scene of the Ballet Comique de la Reine, staged in Paris in 1581 for the French court.

In celebration of her sister’s wedding, and her passion for ballet, she created Le Ballet comique de la Reine, the very first ballet production ever performed. Lasting over five hours and performed for thousands of guests, she made a lasting impression, and “The ballet” was born!