Why Ballet Is Taught in French

13.01.09 / Ballet, Dance, History / Author: webmaster / Comments: (0)

ballet1 During the Renaissance around the year 1500 in Italy Ballet first began. In fact, the terms "ballet" and "ball," as in masked ball, come from the Italian "ballare," meaning to dance. Catherine de Medici of Italy married the French King Henry II and introduced early dance styles into court life in France.

Terminology and vocabulary of ballet was gradually developed in French over the next 100 years. During the reign of Louis XIV the king himself performed many of the popular dances of the time. Ballet is now taught in French all over the world.

Ballets in France and Russia developed their own stylistic character. By 1850 Russia had become a leading artistic center of the dance world, and as ballet continued to grow, certain new looks and theatrical illusions became quite fashionable. Dancing on pointe (on toe) became popular during the early part of the nineteenth century, with women often performing in white, bell-like skirts that ended at the calf. Pointe dancing was reserved for women only, and this exclusive taste for female dancers and characters inspired a certain type of recognizable Romantic heroine.

In the early twentieth century the Russian theatre producer, Serge Diaghilev brought together some of that country’s most

talented dancers, choreographers, composers. Singers and designers joined the group to form what was called the Ballet Russes. The Ballet Russes toured Europe and America, presenting a wide variety of ballets.

Here in America ballet grew in popularity during the 1930’s when several of Diaghilev’s dancers left his company to work with and settle in the U.S. George Balanchine is one of the best known artists from this group; he firmly established ballet in America by founding the New York City Ballet. New York City Ballet continues today to be an important force in Classical Ballet.

Classical Ballet continues to be taught in French all over the world. Dancers learn ballet terminology as they study the art form and learn technique. Ballet classes taught in America, Europe, Canada, Brazil….almost anywhere offer the same terminology. French is the language of Ballet.

To study more about Ballet contact us at Wagnerdancearts.com or email us at info@wagnerdancearts.com .