Ballet has been around since the 15th century, and is considered one of the oldest forms of dance. The precise origins of ballet are difficult to trace, but it is believed to have evolved from Italian courtly dances which were popular during the Renaissance period. It became popular in France during the reign of King Louis XIV and was later codified into what we now recognize as ‘classical’ ballet.
The first recorded ballet dancer was a woman by the name of Catherine de’ Medici, who performed in a courtly dance known as ‘the Ballo della Regina’ in 1573. She was also responsible for introducing ballet into France when she married King Henry II of France, who then invited Italian dancers to perform at his court.
It wasn’t until 1661 that a professional male dancer made his debut on stage – French dancer Pierre Beauchamp. He is widely credited as being the first official ‘ballet master’ and he began teaching other male dancers how to perform ballet steps, laying the foundations for modern-day classical ballet technique.
Other notable early male dancers include Louis Dupré, who created some of the earliest surviving ballets such as La Grotte de Versailles (1703) and La Fille Mal Gardée (1789), and Jean-Georges Noverre who is considered to be the founder of modern ballet. He wrote several influential works on dance theory and choreography which shaped much of modern day classical ballet technique.
In conclusion, it can be said that Catherine de’ Medici was the first recorded female dancer and Pierre Beauchamp was the first professional male dancer in ballet history. They both pioneered new forms of dance that have since become staples of classical ballet repertoire today.