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Academic.Oup.Com, academic.oup.com/em/advance  article/doi/10.1093/em/caad010/7224673?searchresult=1. Accessed 22 Oct. 2023.   Au, S., & Rutter, J. (2012). Ballet and modern dance . Thames & Hudson.   Brooks, Lynn Matluck. Women’s Work: Making Dance in Europe before 1800 . University of  Wisconsin Press, 2008. “De Lafontaine.” Wikipedia , Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Feb. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Lafontaine.   Encyclopedia.com. (2023, October 23). . " Women in world history: A biographical encyclopedia.  . encyclopedia.com. 18 Oct. 2023 . Encyclopedia.com.   https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and maps/fontaine-mlle-de-la-1655-1738   “Jean-Baptiste Lully.” Encyclopædia Britannica , Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.,  www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Baptiste-Lully. Accessed 22 Oct. 2023.  “La Fontaine.” Encyclopædia Britannica , Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.,   w...

All Roads Come to an End: Conclusion

Mademoiselle de la Fontaine, known as La Fontaine, stands as a trailblazing  French ballerina of the late 1600s. La Fontaine's 1681 debut earned her the title "queen of the  dance," despite contending with the constraints of the era's lengthy costumes and limited ballet  techniques. Over her career, she participated in 18 ballets and operas before retiring to a life in  the church. La Fontaine's historical significance as the first professional female ballet dancer  speaks volumes about her extraordinary talent in an era dominated by male performers, serving  as an inspiration and pioneer in paving the way for significant female roles in ballet. Though  information about her on the internet may be limited, her legacy continues to empower and  inspire aspiring female ballet dancers, making an indomitable mark on the world of dance. Her  journey first crossed the class through a reading and lecture. Initially captivating due to her  name, ...

Interesting Facts!

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Let's examine three fascinating facts about Mademoiselle de la Fontaine that capture her  legacy as the first professional female ballet dancer in order to delve deeper into her fascinating  world. First of all, due to La Fontaine's extraordinary skill and grace on the ballet stage, she  earned a rather grand title as the "queen of the dance." This title is a testament to her  extraordinary talent and her profound influence on the ballet world in the late 17th century. It  also highlights her as a trailblazer for female ballet dancers, and a pioneer of the start of female  dancers participating and having big roles in ballet performances. Secondly, although La  Fontaine's theatrical career has a wealth of documentation, not much is known about her early  years. There is mystery surrounding her upbringing and past, which lends her legacy an air of  intrigue even to present day knowledge. In this sense, the people La Fontaine surrounded herself...

Biographical Information

     Born in France of the year 1655, Mademoiselle de La Fontaine lived in a time where it was often believed that ballet originated in her country. However, ballet was influenced by the court dances of the Italian Renaissance and the  formalized dances of the French court. These aspects paved the way for ballet to become  recognized as a unique art form. Very little is known about La Fontaine’s early life on the Internet, nor records of La Fontaine’s ballet influencers or which schools she trained under.  In the 17th century however, ballet in France was an impactful and changing period in the history of this art  form. This was characterized by significant developments and the establishment of the foundations for modern ballet. Additionally, during this period of time women  did not perform in ballets, where the ballet industry during this time was dominated by the masculine gender. In each performance, men played the roles of  women and wo...

Introducing...La Fontaine and Her Impact on Me!

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Mademoiselle de La Fontaine, also known as La Fontaine, was a trailblazing French  ballerina of the late 1600s. Born in 1655 in France and passing away in 1738, not much is known  about her early life. Emerging onto the stage of the Paris Opera in 1681 and becoming the first female ballerina to appear in a public ballet performance, s he paved the way towards Female inclusivity in ballet, even in spite of male domination at the time, and in spite of the little known info on her past.  Her grace and charm were  remarkable, even though she grappled with the constraints of the era's long costumes and limited  ballet techniques . The appearance of her in Operas changed the scenery of the portrayal of women in ballet.  Throughout her career, she participated in 18 ballets and operas before retiring  to a life in the church. La Fontaine's historical significance as the first professional female ballet  dancer is a testament to her extraordinary talent d...