Who Founded Ballet?

Ballet

The history of ballet dates all the way back to the 15th century in Italy. The first documented ballet was performed in 1489 by members of the court of the Duke of Urbino. It wasn’t until the late 16th century that ballet began to gain popularity, when it was developed into a formal dance form by Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henry II of France.

The development of ballet continued through the 17th and 18th centuries with ballets becoming more elaborate and featuring larger casts and more intricate choreography. During this time, the French were credited with establishing some of the most influential elements of modern ballet such as pointe work, grand pas de deux, and other classical styles.

In Russia, during the 19th century, Marius Petipa revolutionized ballet by introducing new techniques such as adage and pas de quatre. He also created many famous ballets including “The Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake” which are still performed today. Petipa’s work inspired many Russian choreographers including Mikhail Fokine who developed a new style that focused on emotion rather than technique.

In the early 20th century, George Balanchine had a major influence on modern ballet. He introduced neoclassical ballet which combined traditional classical technique with modern innovations such as faster tempos and sharper footwork.

Balanchine was also responsible for creating some of the most iconic ballets including “The Nutcracker” and “Apollo”. His work continues to be performed around the world today and is widely regarded as one of the most important contributors to modern classical dance.

In conclusion, while there is no single person credited with founding ballet, it has evolved over centuries through contributions from numerous artists across Europe and Russia culminating in George Balanchine’s revolutionary neoclassical style which is still performed today around the world.