Ballet Comique de la Reine

Engraving of the first scene of the Ballet Comique de la Reine. Click to enlarge.

The Ballet Comique de la Reine was a court entertainment, now considered to be the first ballet de cour. It was staged in Paris, France, in 1581 for the court of Catherine de' Medici. It was produced and choreographed by Balthasar de Beaujoyeulx and danced by Queen Louise and the women of the court. This ballet was also known for its long length of over five hours and its elaborate and scattered stage design. It had elaborate costumes and centered around the myth of the Greek goddess Circe.

See also

• Catherine de' Medici's court festivals

References

• Cecil Sharp, "The Dance, an Historical Survey of Dancing in Europe", 1924.
• Margaret McGowan, Balet Comique de la Reyne, 1581. Medieval and Renaissance Texts, Binghamton, 1982.
• Arie Graafland, Versailles and the Mechanics of Power. The subjugation of Circe. 010 Publishers Rotterdam 2003

External links

• Le Balet Comique de la Reine, 1581: An Analysis by Elizabeth Cooper