Which Ballet Company Is the Oldest Ballet Company in the World?

Ballet

The Royal Ballet is believed to be the oldest ballet company in the world, founded in 1931 by Dame Ninette de Valois and Sir Frederick Ashton. The company was founded with the intention of producing classic ballets that would be accessible to audiences across England. The company has since grown and established itself as one of the most prestigious and renowned classical ballet companies in the world.

The Royal Ballet draws its repertoire largely from traditional classical ballet works, such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Giselle. It also performs more contemporary ballets, such as Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling, Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Richard Glasstone’s Gloria. The company regularly tours internationally and has performed at prestigious venues such as London’s Royal Opera House, New York’s Metropolitan Opera House and Paris’ Palais Garnier.

The Royal Ballet has nurtured many of the world’s greatest dancers from Margot Fonteyn to Darcey Bussell, Lauren Cuthbertson to Sergei Polunin. It is dedicated to upholding traditional classical ballet technique while also pushing boundaries to create new works that appeal to modern audiences.

The Royal Ballet’s commitment to excellence has made it one of the longest-running companies in existence today. With its rich history, repertoire of acclaimed ballets and exceptional roster of dancers, it is no surprise that it is considered the oldest ballet company in the world.

Conclusion:

The Royal Ballet is widely accepted as being the oldest ballet company in the world, having been established in 1931 by Dame Ninette de Valois and Sir Frederick Ashton. It has continued to produce some of the most renowned classical ballets for almost 90 years now and has maintained a commitment to excellence throughout its long history. This makes it an undisputed leader among international ballet companies today.