Paris Opera Ballet School

History

The Paris Opera Ballet School is the oldest ballet school in the world. It was founded by King Louis XVI of France, in 1713 and has long since held the reputation of being one of the best ballet schools in the world.Initially located in Rue Saint-Nicaise, then the Palais Garnier the school is now located at Nanterre. Originally, only young adults would have been able to attend the school but in 1784, a special under twelves course was introduced when it was decided that to achieve maximum one had to receive more dance education. 

After the French Revolution, there were three 'tiers' to the school. Children start at the elementary school, which they attended until they are 13. The upper class until sixteen and after that the 'special class for improvements' foreshadowing the advanced class. Students could only remain a year in the upper class and two in the special class. Not all students were invited to the special class and it was an honor to be so. At eighteen all students had to leave to go and pursue their careers.

Now

Claude Bessy, director from 1972 to 2004, formed the school into what it is today. She moved the school to its present location in Nanterre and ensured that medical staff be in the school at all times to ensure physical preparation. They also feed into the Paris Opera Ballet Company and perform at the Palais Garnier.

Bibliography

https://res.cloudinary.com/opera-national-de-paris/image/upload/c_fit%2ch_1100%2cq_60%2cw_1100/f_auto/v1/user_photos/fjhvigbekcaedomo93t0

https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/artists/ballet-school/history

http://www.britannica.com/topic/Paris-Opera-Ballet

The Origins of Ballet

Ballet was first established in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15^th Century. Each performance was an exciting and luxurious event and the Italian court enjoyed them immensely. The masters of the dance taught the steps and skills to Italian nobility and when they put on a show the court would often join in.

In 1533, Catherine de Medici married who would later become King Henry II of France. Along with starting the French Wars of Religion she also introduced the dance to the French Court. Her thrilling festivals of dance led to the growth of ballet de cour, which included dance, ornamentation, costume, song, music and poetry. However it did not grow hugely in popularity until a century later when Louis XIV came to the throne.

He was a big fan of the dance and performed many roles personally. His most famous role was as Apollo, giving him the name "The Sun King." Because of the emphasis that Louis placed on ballet, many people credit him with founding the dance we now know and love. Indeed steps and phrases are all 'en français' and many of the roots of modern steps are traced back to this period. King Louis XIV also made it possible for amateur performers to study ballet professionally by opening the Paris Opera Ballet in 1661. This was a mix of ballet and opera and ballet that was performed on stage. However ballet was not seen as a separate art form until the mid - 1770's when ballet master Jean Georges Noverre started showcasing ballet separately.

Bibliography

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Louis_XIV_of_France.jpg/800px-Louis_XIV_of_France.jpg

http://www.pbt.org/community-engagement/brief-history-ballet

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/france-in-the-sixteenth-century/french-wars-of-religion/catherine-de-medici/

http://www.biography.com/people/louis-xiv-9386885

https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/lopera-de-paris/history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XIV_of_France#cite_note-42