Was Ballet Scandalous?

Ballet

The first ballet is thought to have been performed in the late 15th century in the Italian court of the Duke of Milan. From this point on, it spread rapidly throughout Europe as an aristocratic form of entertainment. It was not until almost 200 years later, however, that ballet began to become a scandalous affair.

In the early 1700s, Marie Salle, a French dancer and choreographer, changed the traditional image of ballet by introducing risqué costumes and daring dance moves. Her performances were considered shocking at the time and her risque costumes caused quite a stir. This was seen as an affront to the traditional values at the time and it caused a great deal of controversy.

The controversy surrounding Marie Salle continued to grow and soon enough other dancers began to follow her lead. By the late 1700s, ballet had become associated with immorality and debauchery. The upper classes viewed it as an immoral activity that should be avoided at all costs.

Ballet also became increasingly popular with lower classes during this period. The lower classes saw it as a form of escape from their everyday lives and they embraced it with enthusiasm. This further contributed to its reputation as being immoral and scandalous.

Conclusion:

Was Ballet Scandalous? Yes!

As its popularity grew during the 18th century, so did its reputation for being immoral and risqué. Its association with debauchery made it controversial in both upper-class circles and among those who embraced its liberating nature. Regardless of whether or not people approved of ballet in its early days, there’s no denying that it has left an enduring mark on modern culture.