Ballet Dance History and Artistry: What Makes It Uniquely Beautiful?

April 28, 2017

Ballet is a type of theatrical or performance dance that combines music, scenery and costumes with a formal dance technique called 'the danse d'école' to tell a story. The history and the artistry of this form of dance dates back to the Italian Renaissance, which makes it one of the oldest forms of professional dance today. Performers of ballet require formal training, diligent practice and years of experience to qualify for a professional troop. Read below to learn the transformation of this dance over the years and why it is uniquely beautiful in nature.

Timeline of the History of Ballet

• Ballet originates in the Italian Renaissance during the 15th century. During this time, it was performed mainly by men called 'noble amateurs' in the palaces and elaborate estates of the wealthy and aristocrats. Most were reenactments of mythology tales about heroes and gods with intricate masks and costumes.
• The dance steps and techniques became formalised by the end of the 16th century and the court ballets increased in popularity since Louis XIV promoted this dance by establishing the forerunner of the Paris Opera Ballet, the Academie d'Opera. This was the start of ballet being a profession.
• During the 1700s, opera houses and theatres opened up throughout Europe similar to those in France. The ballet dancers were now part of the community along with other performers, intellectuals and nobles. Choreographers expanded the storytelling to other topics besides just mythology.
• Ballet changed and morphed over the years and through the 19th century. In the latter part of this century, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St Denis and Loie Fuller transformed this dance form further with new techniques that encouraged a freer way of expression. This was the beginning of ballet as we know it today.

Why Is Ballet Uniquely Beautiful?

The reason for ballet being uniquely beautiful in comparison to other forms of dance is the way in which the performers interpret their emotions or those of their characters in the story with precise, elegant balletic techniques and movements. While being an extremely disciplined art form, ballet does not negate the use of boundless energy to reach optimal heights with jumps during the storytelling. Ballet is a graceful, extremely athletic dance in its modern form. In addition, the dancers make all their movements seem effortless.

To learn further ballet dance history and artistry details, contact South Coast Dance School. We also will elaborate more as to why this form of dance is uniquely beautiful.

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