18th century History of ballet

france , development art form

the 18th century period of advance in technical standards of ballet , period when ballet became serious dramatic art form on par opera. central advance seminal work of jean-georges noverre, lettres sur la danse et les ballets (1760), focused on developing ballet d action, in movements of dancers designed express character , assist in narrative. noverre believed that: ballet should technical move audience emotionally, plots need unified, scenery , music need support plot , unified within story, , pantomime needs simple , understandable.

reforms made in ballet composition composers such christoph willibald gluck. finally, ballet divided 3 formal techniques sérieux, demi-caractère , comique. ballet began featured in operas interludes called divertissements.

outside france

venice continued centre of dance in europe, particularly during venice carnival, when dancers , visitors across continent travel city lively cultural exchange. city s teatro san benedetto became famous landmark largely due ballets performed there. italian ballet techniques remained dominant influence in of southern , eastern europe until russian techniques supplanted them in 20th century.

ballet performances spread eastern europe during 18th century, areas such hungary, held in private theatres @ aristocratic castles. professional companies established performed throughout hungary , toured abroad. budapest national theatre increasingly serving role home dancers.

some of leading dancers of time performed throughout europe louis dupré, charles le picque anna binetti, gaetano vestris, , jean-georges noverre.