When I see my young pupils here in Mumbai trying to practice at the barre I feel like telling them how much is behind that piece of rod that every dancer at all levels , from amateurs to prima ballerinas, hold for at least twenty minutes to prepare and warm up their entire body before a centre class practice or a performance. I truly believe that it is the best way to train and maintain our bodies through the years. Even in old age one can do it and feel energised. In no other classical style of dance is there such a well thought, codified system. I only came across a study, actually a lecture, in Bharatanatyam where it was mentioned that the Devadasis, the temple dancers of South India , used to practice with a rod held by two dancers at the sides.
When Ballet was introduced in the Italian courts of the De Medici, Sforza, D’Este and other families in the 13th century , of course it was pure entertainment in banquets but already there were steps and combinations but no sign of barre exercises. It was called “Tripudium” (from latin meaning the beating of the feet of soldiers) or “Saltatio" ( latin for jumping) and became “Ballet de Court” as the French later named it.
When Caterina De Medici settled in France she organised on occasion of the wedding of the queen ’s sister what it is considered the first long “Ballet de Court”. A big production extending for six hours. “Le Ballet Comique de la Reine”( 1581) was a dance drama based on the myths of Circe and a way to please the queen. In the few paintings available there is no sign that the royal people were exercising at the barre that time but they wore masques and had horses dancing with them!
Moving to the next century we see the great French king Louis XIV extremely passionate for “Comédie Ballet”, as it was called at that time ( it will take another two centuries to finally have the name only as “Ballet”). He appointed Monsieur Pierre Beauchamp as Master. By this time the five positions were defined and the names of steps codified in French language. I suspect that maybe the barre started at this time but there is no proof of it anywhere, though “L’Académie Royal de Danse" was officially established” in 1661 (it will be called a little later “L'Académie Impériale de Musique" and later “Opéra de Paris”).
Since the dancers’ feet had to be opened at 45 degrees in first position….maybe the support was not needed and they were also wearing heels. Nowadays we have a turn-out of 180 degrees which involves a support and machines for manipulation of the hips! They were really enjoying themselves at that time…( to be continued)
The king Louis XIV in the role of Apollon