In the early Renaissance, ballet was in its infancy, absorbing ancient Greek dance, parody of ancient Rome and the skills of medieval jugglers. It provided dramatic structure, performance form and mime elements for early ballet art, and these nutrients and early germination laid the foundation for ballet to enter the historical stage and become the undertaker of history.

Renaissance is an ideological and cultural movement against feudal rule initiated by the bourgeoisie in European countries. "At that time, the emerging bourgeoisie not only revived the ancient culture, but also used the ancient culture to create a culture that was fundamentally opposite to the feudal church culture in the Middle Ages." ①

Renaissance took the revival of ancient Greek and Roman culture as the banner, and ballet at this time, as an ancient culture and a small branch of the revival of ancient culture, carried a certain historical development mission. The budding ballet art pays attention to the expression and creation of personal feelings, which coincides with the essence of humanism. Therefore, to a certain extent, it advocates respect for people's wishes, potential and free creation, which has played a certain role in promoting the development of the Renaissance. At the same time, under the impetus of the Renaissance, the literature and art of western European countries have been developed to varying degrees, and ballet has also been greatly influenced: Italy and France played the role of founders in the early stage of ballet formation. Ballet bears the cultural resources needed by the Renaissance, which also promotes the further development of ballet.

People usually regard the queen's comedy ballet as the birthday of ballet. Before that, Italy was a city-state. In order to show off their wealth, city-state monarchs often hold festivals, including dance performances. Ballet originated in Italy and naturally became a tool for city-state monarchs to show off their wealth. Under the influence of this environment, Banquet Ballet appeared. With the marriage and cultural exchange between Italy and France, Banquet Ballet was introduced to France, which made 158 1 the most respected Queen's Comedy Ballet. In the French court at this time, the historical mission of ballet is to protect and protect the country. During this period, ballet changed from "a means for city-state monarchs to show off their wealth" to "a tool for marriage and cultural exchange" and a "medium for protecting the country". In this process, ballet itself has changed from "banquet ballet" to "real ballet".

During the reign of Louis XIV, ballet played two roles: the means used by Louis XIV to improve imperial power and prestige, and the fundamental reason why Lurui and Chambo occupied a certain position in the court. Louis XIV loved dancing since he was a child. Later, he personally approved the constitution of the Royal Dance Academy and the funds needed for its construction, providing sufficient material conditions. After centuries of development, the basic skills and training system of ballet established in this way are still the basis of ballet art in various countries and schools. Louis XIV attached importance to dance because he knew that art could be used to enhance his prestige as a king. In the French court during the reign of Louis XIV, there were two figures who made outstanding contributions to ballet: Lurie and Beauchamp. "Li Lu catered to the tastes of the French court audience, skillfully used the excellent elements of Italian professional comedy, and at the same time tried to explore and create new forms, so that ballet gradually developed from" appearance "to independent ballet. Shang Bo's dance embodies the style and emotion of Versailles, and his' appearance' makes Gavett and minuet show one by one in an excellent curve. " ②

It is because of him that French dance schools have an advantage in Europe. Louis XIV's desire to improve imperial power and Lu Li and Shang Bo's pursuit of stability greatly promoted their undertaker-ballet.

Ballet, always lurking behind this historical event, has assumed different roles and completed different historical missions. In such repeated tempering and baptism, ballet developed step by step. What ballet gets is far greater than what ballet pays. Therefore, the historical mission undertaken by early ballet makes the formation and good development of ballet inevitable.

I want to further explain that this historical commitment of ballet is unconscious. Only after a certain cultural accumulation, under special historical conditions, it was laid by one of the cultural and artistic means used. It is this unconscious commitment that makes ballet draw more historical significance in the development of European history. It is also in this unconscious commitment process that ballet has been constantly improved and developed, laying a stable and excellent artistic foundation for becoming an art with a long history, well-preserved and growing in the future.

refer to

① ② Zhu Liren: A Brief History of Western Ballet, Shanghai Music Publishing House, May 5438+0, 2006.

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