The answer to the question: Who Choreographed the First Ballet? is not simple. Ballet as an art form has evolved over centuries and has roots in many different cultures, making it difficult to pinpoint one particular person or group responsible for its inception.
Ballet began in the Renaissance period, around 15th century Italy, when dance was used to portray stories and characters through movement. This form of dance was known as ‘ballare’, which is Italian for ‘to dance’. At this time, most dances were performed by peasants and were not considered a legitimate form of art by the upper classes.
The first ballet performances that were considered true works of art were those created by Italian courtiers in the 16th century. These ballets featured intricate choreography and elaborate costumes and scenery.
These ballets usually told stories from Greek or Roman mythology. The most notable of these early ballets was titled Le Ballet Comique de la Reine (The Comic Ballet of the Queen), which was performed at Fontainebleau in 1581 for Catherine de Medici. This ballet is credited with being the first to feature professional dancers and musicians, as well as set pieces and scenery.
The next major evolution of ballet came during France’s Baroque period in the 17th century. At this time, Jean-Baptiste Lully began to choreograph large-scale productions with music composed specifically for them. His works combined elements from both courtly dances and peasant folk dances into one unified performance style that was incredibly popular at the time.
By the 18th century, ballet had become a popular entertainment across Europe but it wasn’t until 19th century Imperial Russia that it became a true art form. It was during this period that ballet became codified into its modern form with structured movements, specific steps and terminology.
In conclusion
Ultimately, there is no single person who can be credited with choreographing the first ballet as various forms have existed throughout history. However, many people have made significant contributions along the way including Jean-Baptiste Lully and Catherine de Medici who helped shape what we now know as classical ballet.