History of ballet
Ballet originated in the Renaissance court as an outgrowth of court pageantry in Italy, where aristocratic weddings were lavish celebrations. Tutus, ballet slippers and pointe work were not yet used. The choreography was adapted from court dance steps. Performers dressed in fashions of the times. For women that meant formal gowns that covered their legs to the ankle. Early ballet was participatory, with the audience joining the dance towards the end.
Violante Doria
The "Balet comique de la royne", later known as the "Ballet Comique de la Reine", was created in October 1581 under the reign of King Henry III as a celebration of the marriage of the Duc de Joyeuse and the queen’s sister, Marguerite of Lorraine-Vaudémont. It was performed at the French court of Catherine de Médicis and was the first ballet to have a physical printed account (libretto). This five-hour show was created by Italian choreographer and musician Balthazar de Beaujoyeulx and is considered the first ballet to have created a theatrical experience by combining dance, music, sets, poetry, etc. This massive production cost 3,600,000 gold francs and was only performed once due to this high cost, however it had a major influence on the development of ballet, theatrical dance, and opera.