Ballet is more than just dance—it’s a living, breathing art form that has evolved across centuries, cultures, and continents. From the opulent palaces of Renaissance Italy to modern stages lit by LED screens and boundary-pushing choreography, ballet continues to captivate, challenge, and inspire. Whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or passionate fan, understanding ballet’s rich history and contemporary presence can deepen your appreciation for this beautiful, often demanding art.
Where It All Began…
The story of ballet begins in the grand courts of 15th-century Italy, where nobles were first introduced to stylized dance through festive court spectacles. It was from here that the seeds of ballet were sown. When Italian noblewoman Catherine de’Medici married into the French monarchy and became Queen of France, she brought her love of dance with her. Ballet quickly flourished at court, especially under the reign of King Louis XIV. In fact, Louis was so passionate about dance that he performed in ballets himself, most famously as Apollo in Ballet de la Nuit. Under his reign, ballet transformed into a formalized discipline, complete with the five positions of the feet still taught in studios around the world today.
The 19th century ushered in ballet’s Romantic era—a time of ethereal themes, supernatural stories, and the rising dominance of ballerinas. Pointe shoes, flowing white tutus, and tales of doomed love or spiritual redemption became the hallmarks of the genre. Marie Taglioni, one of the era’s greatest ballerinas, embodied this dreamy style in works like La Sylphide.
As ballet swept into Russia during the late 1800s, it found fertile creative ground. Legendary choreographer Marius Petipa helped shape the classical ballet canon with iconic works like The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. These were lush, technically intricate productions that still fill theatres today. The early 20th century brought seismic shifts with the rise of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes—an avant-garde company that fused radical music, design, and choreography. Artists like Nijinsky, Bronislava Nijinska, and George Balanchine began pushing boundaries, paving the way for the evolution of ballet as a constantly renewing art form.
The World’s Ballet Powerhouses
As ballet matured, world-class companies began to emerge and define national styles and global standards. The Paris Opera Ballet, founded in 1669, is the oldest ballet company in the world and remains a beacon of classical tradition. The Royal Ballet in London, long associated with Margot Fonteyn and Sir Frederick Ashton, continues to nurture exceptional British talent and innovative storytelling.
In Russia, two rival giants dominate: the Mariinsky Ballet (formerly the Kirov), known for its pristine classical line, and the Bolshoi Ballet, famed for its dramatic flair and larger-than-life scale. Across the Atlantic, the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and New York City Ballet (NYCB)have carved distinct identities—ABT as a company of versatility and range, and NYCB as the house Balanchine built, with a signature neoclassical style that’s both pure and bold.
Other leading international companies include the Royal Danish Ballet, La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan, Dutch National Ballet, and the Cuban National Ballet—each with its own legacy and flair. And of course, Australia proudly claims its place on the world stage with The Australian Ballet, founded in 1962. Known for its blend of classical grace and contemporary boldness, it’s one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most respected companies. Queensland Ballet, based in Brisbane, has also earned global attention with its dynamic repertoire and youth-focused programming.
Choreographers Who Changed the Game
In the past 50 years, a new generation of choreographers has reinvented ballet for the modern age. George Balanchine, though born in 1904, remains the father of neoclassical ballet. His clean lines, speed, and musicality stripped away unnecessary ornamentation and focused on the dancer’s body as an instrument of pure movement. His influence is still deeply felt across ballet companies worldwide.
Alexei Ratmansky has breathed new life into both contemporary and classical works, reimagining Soviet-era ballets with emotional honesty and sharp detail. Christopher Wheeldon, with his cinematic flair and humanistic storytelling, has created a modern canon of narrative-driven ballets that resonate with today’s audiences.
Jiří Kylián revolutionized the Nederlands Dans Theater with emotionally charged, contemporary-infused ballet works that broke down genre walls. Wayne McGregor, known for his hyper-physical, tech-enhanced movement vocabulary, continues to challenge what a ballet body can do. Edwaard Liang and his lyrical, almost poetic style has been widely embraced by companies around the globe.
Katy Pyle, founder of Ballez, has redefined ballet’s norms around gender and inclusivity, creating spaces for queer dancers and stories often excluded from the traditional ballet narrative. These voices—and many more—are not just choreographers but cultural architects, shaping ballet into a more expansive, representative art form.
Dancers Who Define Generations
Great choreography lives through great dancers. The late 20th century gave rise to powerhouse ballerinas like Sylvie Guillem, whose almost otherworldly extension and razor-sharp technique made her a legend. Misty Copeland broke ground as the first African-American principal dancer at ABT, becoming a beacon of representation and grace both on and off the stage.
Natalia Osipova, with her fierce energy and emotional depth, has danced lead roles in every major company and remains one of ballet’s most thrilling artists. Sergei Polunin exploded into public consciousness with his viral performance to Take Me to Church, blending raw power and vulnerability in a way that resonated far beyond traditional ballet audiences.
No history of ballet would be complete without acknowledging the extraordinary artists who shaped its soul. Figures like Australia’s own Sir Robert Helpmann, the eternally elegant Dame Margot Fonteyn, and the electrifying Mikhail Baryshnikov redefined what it meant to be a dancer in the 20th century—each bringing unmatched artistry, charisma, and innovation to the stage. Their enduring impact is explored further in our companion article, Ballet’s Icons: The Dancers Who Defined a Century.
These dancers—and many others—have taken ballet beyond the stage, into mainstream culture, onto social media, and into the hearts of people who never thought ballet could be for them.
Ballet in the Digital Age: Must-Watch Moments
Thanks to the power of platforms like YouTube, some of ballet’s most breathtaking performances are just a click away. For a true feast for the eyes, start with these must-watch clips:
- Best Ballet Performances (Royal Ballet Playlist) – A curated selection of the Royal Ballet’s finest moments.
These videos capture not only the technique and beauty of ballet but also the emotion, storytelling, and evolution that keeps the art alive in the 21st century.
From Palaces to Playlists
The beauty of ballet lies in its duality—rooted in centuries-old tradition, yet constantly evolving. It has survived revolutions, crossed oceans, and adapted to new cultures. It’s performed on grand stages, in experimental black boxes, and now even on TikTok. Ballet continues to push boundaries while honouring its origins. It tells stories that are timeless yet ever-relevant, and its artists—past and present—remind us of what the human body, spirit, and imagination can achieve.
Whether you’re discovering ballet for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, its history is a rich tapestry worth exploring—and its future, just as thrilling.
