Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1903 — The Antiquity of the Bellet. [ARTICLE]

The Antiquity of the Bellet.

Strictly defined, the ballet Is properly a theatrical exhibition of the art of dancing In Its highest perfection, complying generally with the rules of the drama as to Its composition and form. It was in existence In Italy as far back as A. D. 1500, the court of Turin In that day making especial use of it and the royal family and nobles taking part in It. The ballet was first introduced In France In the reign of Louis XIII., and both that monarch and Louis XIV. occasionally took part in Its dances. In Its earliest presentation the ballet appeared dexterously in combination with the other theatrical acts and is said to have “completed the chaotic medley exhibited in these spectacles, which were at once mythological, allegorical, fantastic, warlike and pastoral.” The reader will not be alow to observe that its development in the present day has not apparently lost sight of these conditions. About the year 1700 women made their first appearance in the ballet, which up to that time had been performed exclusively by men, as was the case also with plays and operas, but no woman ballet dancer of any note appeared until 1790.