The three ballets of the young sun

Abstract

The ballets of Le Roi Soleil, Louis XIV, have become so widely known that it is not even necessary to read books to learn of the Sun King's balletic proclivities: one could see him in action in movies such as The Man in the Iron Mask or The Devils of Loudun. Beautiful costume sketches have survived that reveal in glorious detail the sumptuous silks and plumage that bedecked Le Grand Monarque in those time-consuming court productions. However, very little attention has been drawn to his great-grandson and heir to the throne, Louis XV (1710-1774), as a dancer. Yet the young Louis danced in at least three opera-ballets: L'Inconnu, Les Folies de Cardenio, and Les Elements. The essential purpose of Louis's appearances in these works was the same as that of his great-grandfather: to surround himself with an aura of splendor and majesty, to project an image of kingly grace, refinement, and culture. In addition, those who displayed the young Louis in these ballets hoped they would provide a sense of continuity for the young boy with the traditions of Louis XIV, one of history's greatest monarchical showmen. Louis XV inherited the throne at the age of five. His governor, the septuagenarian Mar6chal de Villeroi, talked to the young boy unceasingly of the Grand Si&cle when his great-grandfather had ruled. It was Villeroi who coached Louis in court etiquette and tried to impress upon him a sense of his own majesty. Mouffle d'Angerville in his book Vie priv6e de Louis XV noted that at the age of ten, Louis had developed exterior grace and at that time danced at the theatre of the Tuileries in L'Inconnu, where he was admired.2 This first ballet in which young Louis appeared was based