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History of Ballet in the UK Although there are no clearly identifiable artifacts to date the history of dance, we know dance has been an important part of culture for centuries. Dance has been part of celebrations and entertainment since pre-historic times. Egyptian tomb paintings from 3300 BC depict dancing figures. Earliest uses of dance were designed to pass stories from one generation to the next and today, dance still tells stories. There are countless categories of dance and in the early years music and the dance were created at the same time. Jig, Waltz, Tango and Salsa are specific dance forms that were created as the music was written. Other styles have parallel development styles such as Baroque music and Baroque dance. Ballet is different in that the music is created independently and the ballet is choreographed to fit the music. Ballet first appeared in Italian courts in the 16th century with elaborate costumes and music. Often, members of court nobility took part as performers until dance academies began to develop and dance professionals became more available. In the 1700’s the art form of ballet began to change with the re-design of costumes, especially for women performers. Heeled street shoes were replaced with slippers, corsets and petticoats were discarded and tights were invented. Heavy darning was added to the slippers allowing dancers to briefly poise on toe tips. The romantic era of ballet dated from 1830 to 1870 with ballerinas portraying ethereal beings such as nymphs, fairies wearing long, draping white skirts known as tutus. It was during this period that ballet gained serious status as an art form along side opera. By the 19th century, dancers began to experiment with new techniques and choreography that gave the female dancer a prominent role. Librettists began crafting stories in the ballets with dances that conveyed intense emotion and feelings. Into the 20th century the techniques of ballet continued to become more codified and universal and although there are many forms of ballet, the basic five positions and the basics of movement and motion remain consistent throughout each form.

History of Ballet in the UK

Although there are no clearly identifiable artifacts to date the history of dance, we know dance has been an important part of culture for centuries. Dance has been part of celebrations and entertainment since pre-historic times. Egyptian tomb paintings from 3300 BC depict dancing figures. Earliest uses of dance were designed to pass stories from one generation to the next and today, dance still tells stories.

There are countless categories of dance and in the early years music and the dance were created at the same time. Jig, Waltz, Tango and Salsa are specific dance forms that were created as the music was written. Other styles have parallel development styles such as Baroque music and Baroque dance. Ballet is different in that the music is created independently and the ballet is choreographed to fit the music.

Ballet first appeared in Italian courts in the 16th century with elaborate costumes and music. Often, members of court nobility took part as performers until dance academies began to develop and dance professionals became more available. In the 1700’s the art form of ballet began to change with the re-design of costumes, especially for women performers. Heeled street shoes were replaced with slippers, corsets and petticoats were discarded and tights were invented. Heavy darning was added to the slippers allowing dancers to briefly poise on toe tips.

The romantic era of ballet dated from 1830 to 1870 with ballerinas portraying ethereal beings such as nymphs, fairies wearing long, draping white skirts known as tutus. It was during this period that ballet gained serious status as an art form along side opera.

By the 19th century, dancers began to experiment with new techniques and choreography that gave the female dancer a prominent role. Librettists began crafting stories in the ballets with dances that conveyed intense emotion and feelings.

Into the 20th century the techniques of ballet continued to become more codified and universal and although there are many forms of ballet, the basic five positions and the basics of movement and motion remain consistent throughout each form.