2.3: The Renaissance- Ballet Born in Italy (1350-1600s)
- Page ID
- 288656
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Artists, explorers, the resurgence of classical studies, and interest in the natural world meld together in 14th century Italy bringing about the Renaissance era. Though the Broadway musical Something Rotten (2015) is set in Elizabethan England at the height of the Renaissance in 1595, its opening number, “Welcome to the Renaissance” touting how “everything is new” truly reflects this dynamic time period between the 14th century and 17th century. With references to invention, exploration, and culture the song illustrates the shift in thinking about humans and how they perceive their place in the world. At the heart of this movement was humanism. Just as the tenets of the Renaissance spread from Italy to the rest of the European continent, the Italian artform of ballet soon takes root in intercontinental royal courts. Ballet’s first big move onto the international scene is set into motion when Italy’s Catherine de’ Medici weds the future king of France. This union puts Italian ballet on the path for a major glow up.
"A cultural movement... influenced by ancient Latin and Greek thought" (Oxford English Dictionary, n.d.).
The climate of thought "of attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters... stress(ed) the potential value and goodness of human beings and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems" (Oxford English Dictionary, n.d.).
Balli, Balletti, and Pantomime in 1400s Italy
When it comes to dance and movement-based performances, Italy has three notable categories: balli social dances were simple and elegant; balletti “consisted of graceful, rhythmic walking steps danced at formal ballet and ceremonies” (Homans, 2010, p. 4); and theatrical pantomimes where “performers convey meaning through gestures accompanied by music” (Oxford English Dictionary, n.d.). When adopting these subcategories of dance and movement the French used the umbrella term of ballet.
Catherine de’ Medici (1519-1589)
(Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved 22:06, May 27, 2023 from Catherine-de-medici.jpg (662×899))
In 1533 at the age of 14 Catherine de’ Medici of Italy marries France’s Henri II. At the time, courtly entertainment in France ranges from tournaments to masquerade balls. Through this marriage we see a cultural exchange; Catherine brings with her Italy’s extravagant courtly divertissements of “flaming torch dances, elaborate horse ballets with hundreds of mounted cavaliers arranged in symbolic formations, and masked interludes with heroic, allegorical, and exotic themes (Homans, 2010, p. 4). On the surface it is easy to deem these courtly performances as inconsequential, but these spectacles will be used to calm civil and religious conflicts (Homans, 2010). This will not be the last time dance in the French court will be an instrument of ulterior motives. Catherine’s great-grandson Louis XIV will use ballet as a means of creating ranks among courtiers as well as a means of transmitting French culture and asserting France’s dominance across Europe.
It’s pretty amazing to think how a teenage girl’s enthusiasm for courtly extravaganzas plus an arranged marriage to the future king of France set into motion the evolution of an international artform- a style of dance which will move, soothe, and inspire audiences; that same creative discipline responding to the push and pull of popular predilection and social change.
Ballet de cour (Court Ballet) v. Country Dances in France
Building off of Italian Balli and Balletti, the Ballet de cour of France are organized spectacles presented at court. The scene: a great hall with banquet tables set for royal guests and raised galleries for spectators. Oftentimes there is a theme, story, or allegory unifying the evening’s festivities. For example, danse macabre or dance with death is an obsession stemming back to the Medieval era. Using this unearthly theme for our ballet de cour, we might use set pieces to evoke the land of the living, the underworld, and where the two worlds meet; detailed costuming indicating living characters and dead characters; specific music and poetry selections fitting the theme; special effects elements; and the menu alluding to the motif. Dances interspersed throughout the night would be danced by courtiers and professional court performers. And if you’re wondering where women fit in– occasionally women would perform, but most of the time men would wear masks to perform en travesti.
Originating in France, organized spectacles presented at court set to specific themes, performed in banquet halls with tables set for royal guests and raised galleries for aristocratic spectators. Peasants were not allowed to see these productions.
To play a character of the opposite sex. The Renaissance era sees a ban on female performers both at court and theatrical stage. In Shakespeare's day, young teenaged boys play female ingénue roles and men play matriarchs, nurses, and witches (think Juliet's nurse from Romeo + Juliet). This practice continues today with male dancers cast in the roles of Mother Ginger in The Nutcracker and the Stepsisters in Cinderella.
Two key tasks of a Renaissance dance master: craft dances supporting the theme or story of the ballet de cour and ensure said compositions are visually interesting. Keep in mind, the majority of spectators view ballets from an elevated vantage point in the galleries… akin to seeing a performance from a balcony in a modern-day theatre. Imagine choreographing a dance to be appealing both at ground-level and from a bird’s eye view. After the organized ballet de cour performance the halls revert to a posh house party. Men and women alike participating in country dances- similar to the folk dances of the Medieval era. Wondering how courtiers knew country dances (the equivalent of popular/social dances) of the day? A royal court is not a fixed point of people and location. Royalty and courtiers alike come and go, visiting various estates and country homes throughout the year– putting people of status in direct contact with the lower classes and in turn providing a direct conduit from country to the court.
In 1581 Balthasar de Beaujoyeux arranges Ballet Comique de la Reine- considered the first real ballet. A five-hour affair with mermaids, flowing fountains, and geometric floor patterns performed with such precision as to foreshadow ballet's codification.
Takeaway:
The humanism cultural movement allows society to explore the goodness of human beings rather than concerning themselves with divine intervention. Do you think ballet would have evolved without humanism?
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ballet_1581.png&oldid=715805506.)
Split the class in two. Put one group of students at an elevated height (either on chairs or second floor with visual access to ground level) and second group of students on ground level.
Have the ground level students perform floor patterns to be viewed from above.