History of Ballet Eras
A Magical Journey

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The History of Ballet eras are truly fascinating. You won't believe how much ballet has gradually changed.

History of ballet goes back 600 years. You would be amazed to see how ballet history has changed and developed over time.

Back when ballet first started only men allowed to dance. Nowadays the leading roles are mainly designed for the women.

You should know that there are said to be 7 distinct eras in ballet history.

The pre-history of Ballet occurred in Italy in the 1400's. After these early beginnings came the 7 eras of the history if ballet.

To see how the interesting eras of ballet have changed, look at the summary of the ballet history below.

Summary of the History of Ballet eras:-

1. Ballet de Cour (Renaissance)

This era was all about entertainment.

The ballet de cour was performed by aristocrats from the royal courts of Europe.

'Ballo' (Ballet) was brought in from Italy to France in the 1530's when Italian Catherine Medici married Henry 11 of France.

Ballet was so popular that by the year 1661, the first ballet school open in France. It was begun by Louis XIV.

At first, only men were allowed to dance. Women were allowed to join in 1681, but they had to wear floor length gowns.

2. Opera Ballet (Baroque Peroid)

This era was called Opera Ballet because throughout the 1600's and 1700's, (until 1789) the dancers also sang and recited poems.

3. Ballet d'Action (Classical Period)

This era was all about expression and performance.

The dancers didn't rely on having elaborate costumes and props. They expressed their character and emotion through their bodies and faces.

This period occurred during the late 1700's.

4. Transition era or Neoclassical-Romanticism

The early 1800's was the transition from the classical era to the new extravagant Romantic era.

5. Romantic Ballet Era

Between the years 1831 and 1848, ballet become very pretty and fancy.

The female ballet dancers ruled the Romantic era because of their skill to do pointe ballet.

The male ballet dancers were not having as much attention during this era.

6. Russian Imperial Ballet

During the late 1800's Russia saved ballet.

If it wasn't for ballet in Russia, ballet may have died out due to it's unpopularity elsewhere.

The court of the Russian Tsars was a place where the tradition and skills of the ballet kept going.

7. Diaghilev Era (Modernism)

This era was between 1909 and 1929.

It was driven by Diaghilev. He developed a new way of ballet dancing and interpreting music. He trained leading lights we know today - names such as Marie Rambert.

This launched the new era of modernism from which has emerged the Ballet we know today.

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