A Historical Analysis of Ballet's Development and Impact

This essay provides a historical analysis of ballet, tracing its origins in the Italian Renaissance courts and its subsequent development. It discusses the influence of Catherine de' Medici and Louis XIV in codifying ballet. The essay explores the establishment of professional ballet companies in Europe, highlighting the role of theatres and the proscenium arch in shaping the audience experience. It also examines the impact of lighting and stage design, including the use of candles and gaslights, and the introduction of curtains. The essay concludes by discussing the Romantic Movement's influence on ballet, emphasizing the modernization of the atmosphere to enhance performances. References to key historical figures and movements are included, offering a comprehensive overview of ballet's evolution and its cultural significance.

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Introduction
The Italian Renaissance period marks the birth of ballet, a form of dance that has roots
in the 15th and 16th century Renaissance courts of Italy. Ballet was improvised under the
practice of Catherine de’ Medici where it developed and spread further under her
sophisticated influence (Collins and Joanna). Ballet became a focused form of dance form
under the reign of Louis XIV in France. Interestingly, he was the same man who codified the
five main positions of the feet in the dance form of ballet (Homans). Ballet developed with
the use of modern devices, liberal ideas, guided by the zeitgeist situations.
Discussion
Most of the professional ballet companies introduced and established in the new
theatres, in the capitals of Europe during the early and mid-19th century. They comprised of
the Hungarian National Ballet, Kiev Ballet, Vienna State Ballet and National Theatre Ballet
(Chartrand). These theatre groups were not only restrained to performing ballet but were also
an amalgamation of drama, opera and ballet under the same roof. It was for the same reason
that the theatres in the 1600s and 1700s emerged to have significant importance.
The proscenium is a metaphorical vertical plane in a theatre, dividing the stage and
the ground in a way that reflects the social construct, dividing the audience from the actors or
the stage-world. Thus, the proscenium hall with the arch structure provided a better view for
the audience who were seated on both ground floor as well as the balcony (Dancefacts.net).
The angle of viewing the performance was also essential as that required a proper coherence
and anchoring of the audience with the actors.
In the earlier times, the theatres were lit by using candles. However, in the later times,
the use of gaslights not only brightened the atmosphere, making it visually appealing and
clear for understanding the actors, their expressions, attires and props but also turned off the

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laborious process of lighting candles which could be switched off as the wax melted away
(Dancefacts.net). The audience has come to visualize the show that is being put up on the
stage and the use of curtains, coming down after the show or in between scenes and going up
with a new act or scene depicts the break in a sequence, marking the change in time — days,
nights, months, years and preferable a break in action. The changes in the scenes with the
addition of props, costumes and other décor, backdrop, set or light that would set the right
ambience for the act, giving the actors and crew time for these changes.
Conclusion
Ballet marks a popularity through Europe and became the most popular form of dance
in the Europe during the 19th century. With the Romantic Movement that began in literature,
art and theatre, the formal constraints besides the mechanics of industrialization were diluted
by the zeitgeist, leading to the composition of romantic, airy, light and free-spirited
performances (Collins and Joanna). Thus, the modernization of the atmosphere was helping
the performance become better and clearer for the audiences to perceive.

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References
Chartrand, Josee M. "Costumes of the Pavley-Oukrainsky Ballet: A Material History
Analysis." (2019).
Collins, Mary, and Joanna Jarvis. "The Great Leap from Earth to Heaven: The Evolution of
Ballet and Costume in England and France in the Eighteenth Century." Costume 50.2
(2016): 169-193.
Dancefacts.net. "History of Ballet - Origin and Evolution". Dancefacts.net, 2019. Online.
Internet. 4 Oct. 2019. . Available: http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-history/history-of-
ballet/.
Homans, Jennifer. Apollo's angels: A history of ballet. Granta Books, 2013.