Louis XIV: The King Who Danced

Introduction

• Louis XIV, King of France, known for:
  • His mistresses and wives
  • His love for fashion, especially shoes
  • Building the Palace of Versailles
  • Being Europe's longest-serving monarch
  • His iconic appearance in ballet

Louis XIV and Ballet

• Louis XIV became synonymous with ballet:
  • Known as "the King who danced"
  • Defining and popularizing ballet
  • Uniting politics and dance

Personal Fascination with Louis XIV

• The speaker's personal connection:
  • Fascinated by Louis XIV since childhood
  • Inspired to create a new dance piece "The King Dances" for the Birmingham Royal Ballet

Ballet de la Nuit

• Louis XIV's landmark performance:
  • Ballet de la Nuit lasted all night, featured Louis as the Rising Sun
  • Symbolized power after civil unrest

Louis XIV's Early Life

• Born on September 5, 1638
• Parents: Louis XIII and Anne of Austria
• Became King at age 4
• Dance as a crucial social skill for nobility

The Role of Dance in France

• Dance as a social hierarchy tool:
  • Essential for nobility: horse riding, fencing, dancing
  • Ballet reserved for the upper class
• Originated from Italian "Belletti", adopted by French as "ballet de cour"

Ballet as Propaganda

• Cardinal Mazarin's influence:
  • Used ballet as a form of propaganda
  • Promoted the glory of France

Louis XIV's Dance Training

• Daily ballet classes with Pierre Beauchamp
• Dance structure:
  • Focus on balance, turnout from the hips

Baroque Dance Workshop

• Workshop with Baroque dance expert Edith La Mancha
• Understanding Baroque dance vocabulary

Civil War and Ballet

• The Fronde rebellion:
  • Louis XIV faced rebellion against high taxes
  • Ballet de la Nuit as a celebration of victory

Ballet de la Nuit's Impact

• Aimed at restoring confidence in monarchy
• No narrative, thematic of night turning into day

Design and Music

• Extravagant costumes, innovative scenery
• Music: Complex orchestral work recreated by Sebastian Dorsey

Women's Role in Ballet

• Shift in ballet roles:
  • Women began performing alongside Louis XIV
  • Led to more female participation across Europe

The Establishment of the Royal Academy of Dance

• Founded by Louis XIV
• Taught dance and noble etiquette

The Five Positions of Ballet

• Codified by Pierre Beauchamp
• Integral to both dance and art

Louis XIV's Legacy

• Left France as a cultural superpower
• Ballet's evolution under his reign:
  • Creation of the Paris Opera Ballet School

Conclusion

• Louis XIV as a ballet icon
• "The King Dances" as a modern exploration of his impact

Reflections

• Louis XIV's devotion to dance
• Ballet's role in cultural diplomacy
• His legacy in both art and political influence