1. Ballet Beginnings
Dance I

2. The Middle Ages Black Plague (1300-1400)
Began in China and spread into Europe
Carried by fleas and rats
Killed 1/3 of Europe’s population

3. Terms
Dance Mania : Dancing uncontrollably hoping to rid themselves of the Plague.
Dance Macabre : Dance of Death

4. Los Seises : Dance performed in the catholic church by the acolytes on the same level as the alter. Still performed today.
Traveling Troubador : Entertainers who traveled from village to village carrying news and information

5. Dance in the Household
1. Dancers reflected the Political Power: performed by members of the household in the banquet halls so everyone could see
2. Retelling of myths of gods and goddesses
3. Dance masters also manners “specialist”. Nothing was improvised.

6. Catherine de Medici Italian who married Henry II of France
Responsible for bringing dance into the French Court.

7. Balthasar de Beaujoyleux
Brought into the French court as a violinist
First ballet choreographer
Choreographed Ballet comique de la Reine

8. Ballet Comique de la Reine
Created for the marriage of the queens sister
Lasted 5 ½ hours and cost 3,600,000 gold francs
Portrayed the vanquishing of Circe by the King of France
Incorporated poetry, spoken dialogue, music, singing and dance.

9. King Louis XIV
1643 – 1715
1. Referred to himself as the Sun King after the god Apollo
2. Started ballet as part of the theatre as a profession

10. Academy of Dance ( 1661) 1. 13 dancing masters
2. Set standards for what is known as Ballet
3. Technique begins to transform

11. Paris Opera
1669
Institution that encompasses dance academy and theatre production
Oldest dance school still existing

12. Paris Opera Pierre Beauchamps: Father of Ballet Dance Master
Credited for 5 positions of the Feet
Jean Baptiste Lully :
Musician
Moliere :
Playwrite
Rameau :
Musician

13. Palace of Versailles Built between 1661 and 1678
Home to Louis XIV and others until 1789
Site for equestrian ballets called cabrioles

14. Renissance Man Expected to be well educated in : Academics Equestrian
Fencing
Dance

15. Ballet D’action
Beginning of stories told by dancing with no spoken dialogue
Noverre : Set Standards, criticized dancers for being too “showy” and not representing their characters (Letters on Ballet)
Weaver : Given credit for beginning mime gestures
Dauberwal : choreographed dances revolving around the commoner
Didelot : Developed the Pas de Deux, established the Russian Academy