Ballet’s Five Positions
The Profession of Dance
Under King Louis XIV’s reign the Académie Royale de Danse professionalized dance, which had previously been performed only by courtesans and royalty. King Louis stopped performing in 1670 making room for the serious training of dancers. Jean- Pierre Beauchamp, Ballet-Master to the King and member of the Académie, codified the Five Positions of Ballet, later published by Pierre Rameau in 'The Dancing Master'.
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