Le Ballet Comique de la Reine
Back when ballet was a dance performed at royal courts, full-scale productions were a little different. They featured more theatricality than strength or flexibility. However, the dancers were a lot closer to the viewers, which made performing just as challenging.
The first full-scale production of such a ballet was called “Le Ballet Comique de la Reine“ (or “The Comic Ballet of the Queen”). It was ordered in 1581 by French queen Catherine de’ Medici in honor of her sister’s wedding.
The First Tutu
Nowadays, tutus and ballet are almost synonymous. There are loads of cuts, colors, materials, and designs to choose from. But we owe all of this to a man named Eugene Lami.
In 1832, Lami designed the very first tutu. It was worn by ballerina Marie Taglioni, for a ballet titled "La Sylphide". This sheer, light skirt was made to make her look romantically ethereal, which paved the way to modern ballet costumes.
Pierina Legnani
We all know that the prima ballerina is the lead dancer in a ballet production. But have you ever heard of a Prima Ballerina Assoluta? This is the most honorable title a female ballet dancer could be awarded by her company or even state!
In 1894, Italian ballerina Pierina Legnani became the first dancer in recorded history to receive the title. It was given to her at the request of the ballet dancer and choreographer Marius Petipa. She is known to have performed 32 fouettés turns in a row, long before it was choreographed into 'Swan Lake'.
Ballet Companies Have Hierarchy Ranks
When a ballerina enters a company she starts from the bottom and dances her way to the top. There are 5 ranks to this scale of hierarchy. A dancer starts as an apprentice, which is similar to a probation period before coming an official member of the higher-ranked corps de ballet.
With time and dedication, a ballerina will advance to the rank of a second soloist (or demi-soloist), and then a first soloist. And finally, after climbing that ladder and becoming the absolute creme of the crop, she will become a principal dancer and get cast as the lead.
First Position
Seeing a ballet dancer standing in the first principal ballet position will have you thinking that there isn't much to it. Isn't it just standing up straight with your feet turning out and your heels touching? Well, not exactly.
Standing in the first position has more body parts working than you realize. You need to make sure your entire body is aligned with your hips over your heels and your shoulders over the hips. Then, starting from the bottom, lock your knees, turn your hip joint out, open your chest and shoulders, and slightly lift your chin. Oh, and breathe.