Ballet Comique de la Reine

The Ballet Comique de la Reine (at the time spelled Balet comique de la Royne) was first showcased on October 15, 1581 to the court of Catherine de' Medici. The "Ballet Comique de la Reine" was created for the wedding celebration of Queen Louise's sister, Marguerite of Lorraine, who married Duc de Joyeuse. The ballet was choreographed by Balthasar de Beaujoyeulx and was the first piece to include poetry, music, design and dance, all rules of Biaf's Academie, to create a storyline. The ballet was inspired by the enchantress, Circe, from Homer's Odyssey. The pricey production lasted five and half hours and the Queen and King both participated in the performance. The Queen, along with a group of lady court dancers arrived on a fountain that was three tiers high dressed as dryads. The dancers were entering and exiting from both sides of the set, which was unusual for previous court ballets. The ballet was also made in hopes of bringing resolution to the religious hardship that caused the French people to separate. Circe was a symbol of civil war, while the restoration of peace at the end of the ballet represented the country's hopes for the future.