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400
Dithyrambs
A dithyramb is a song-and-dance performance to flute music. These dances evolved from the containment of Dionysus' followers. As Ancient Greeks tried to channel the Dionysians' energy, they created the Dithyramb. -
400
Pyrric Dance
A vigorous Roman dance inspired by actions of soldiers in battle (men) incorporating side to side steps and stomps. -
Period: 500 to Sep 30, 1500
Middle Ages
"Medieval" -
Sep 30, 600
Hyporchema
Both women and men dancing together in spiral patterns while singing. -
Sep 30, 600
Emmelia
A dance associated with with tradegy, enhancing theatrical action with gesture and movement. -
Sep 30, 1400
Origin of the word "ballet"
The origin of the word ballet is Italian and it derived fom the word, "ballare," which means "to dance." -
Period: Sep 30, 1500 to
Renaissance Dance
The "rebirth" of dance. -
Oct 15, 1581
Comique de la Rein
This was that first big ballet in history. It occured on October 15, 1581. This ballet was performed in a hall, while proscenium stages were not around yet. This six hour performance included dance, song, and poetry. The show was put on by by Catherine De Medici, but Balthasar de Beaujoyeux was said to have choreographed this early ballet. -
Jean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687)
Jean Baptiste Lully was a music composer as well as a performer. Although born in Florence, he moved to France, where his success flourished. He was also a great comedian who served Louis XIV. Baptiste was known for his elegant and sophisticated music scores written for ballet courts. -
Pierre Beauchamps (1636-1705)
Pierre Beauchamps was a great dance master of his era. He was the teacher of Louis XIV and one of the highest paid of the king's servants. Beauchamps stressed the importnace of ballet and actually invented the five positions we still use today. -
Louis XIV (1643-1715)
Also referred to the "Sun King," exemplifying the Greek god, Apollo, Louis XIV of France was a great influence to dance during his lifetime. He lived every day as if it was a performance, and he supported dance as an art form. -
Academie Royale de Musique (Paris Opera Ballet)
Founded by Louis XIV, this is the oldest ballet company in the world. It survives today as the Paris Opera. -
Pomone
The Pomone was staged in 1671 in a converted tennis court. It was the Academie Royale de Musique's inaugural production. -
Francoise Prevost (1680-1741)
Francoise Prevost was a choreographer whose most famous work was Les Caracteres de las Danse. She was also the teacher of Marie Camargo and Marie Salle. Prevost played roles of both men and women which showed how powerful she was of a performer. -
Madmoiselle de La Fontaine
Mlle de La Fontaine was known to be the first "prima ballerina." Her debut was in Lully's Le Triomphe de l'Amour in 1681 and she retired in 1693. -
Minuet
The minuet was a popular ballroom dance that began to show up in ballets. This dance suggested flirtation between a man and a woman when they would separate and come back together again. It was also seen as a courtship ritual. -
Opera Ballet
The opera ballet was a theatrical form of ballet related to the old ballet e entree. It was comprised of detchable scenes paired with a theme and singing, dancing, and stage effects. -
Danse Noble, Demi Character, & Comique
The Danse Noble, Demi Character, and Comique were three basic categories of dance styles. The danse noble was the highest ranked and the most noble form. The demi character was lively and extroverted. Lastly, the comique was a comic or charming role. -
Marie Camargo (1710-1770)
Marie Camargo was a well-admired dancer taught by Prevost. Camargo was known for shortening her skirt many inches, and creating a costume reform. She was also said to have been the firsst ballerina known to dance like a man. This is because Camargo stepped up to a male dancer's role one day when he did not show. -
Marie Salle (1707-1770)
Marie Salle was a reserved dancer. She was rivals with Marie Camargo and she was known for her costuming and staging reforms. Marie Salle discarded some of the costume ornaments and wigs and decided to portray a more natural character while she danced. -
Ballet d'action
Ballet d'action was a type of ballet that aimed toward dramatic coherence and concision. -
Apollonian and Dionysian Dance
Apollonian and Dionysian Dance was categorized. In Ancient Greece, gods were often associated with art. Apollo and Dionysus are examples of two very different Gods during this time. Apollo was the God of light, music, poetry, and philosophy. He also acquired a sense of majesty, and drove away atrocity. Meanwhile, Dionysus was the God of wine and fertility, who obtained divine powers, which induced wild and disorderly dancing. These two Gods came to represent two categories of art.