Ballet's popularity

The short dances grew in fame and importance until they became a form of theater in their own right, escorted by a standardization of movements and defining of other stylistic meetings. As years passed, Russia became the international center of ballet dance, merging the strength and passion of Italian style with the softness and fluidity of the French school.

Paris is established as the capital of the ballet world. King Louis XIV, who ruled France during the late 1600's and early 1700's, strengthened that leadership. Louis greatly enjoyed dancing. He took part in all the ballets given at his court, which his nobles performed, but stopped after he became fat and middle-aged. In 1661, Louis founded the Royal Academy of Dancing to train professional dancers to perform for him and his court.

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