Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (ballet)

Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme is a ballet based on the 1670 comédie-ballet of the same name by Molière, featuring music by Jean-Baptiste Lully. While Molière's original work is a play with musical and dance interludes, the ballet version focuses primarily on the dance elements, often expanding or reinterpreting scenes from the play to emphasize movement and spectacle.

The ballet's narrative core remains consistent with Molière's play: Monsieur Jourdain, a wealthy but unsophisticated middle-class man, desperately tries to learn the manners and arts of the aristocracy, hiring various instructors to teach him music, dance, fencing, and philosophy. His ridiculous attempts to rise above his station, coupled with his gullibility and vanity, form the basis of the ballet's comedic elements.

The ballet version frequently includes additional scenes and characters that showcase elaborate choreography and virtuoso performances. It often features a "Ballet of the Nations" or similar divertissement, presenting dances representing different countries and cultures, further highlighting Monsieur Jourdain's desire for sophistication and worldliness.

Several choreographers have adapted Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme into a purely balletic form, often drawing inspiration from the original score by Lully or commissioning new music that reflects the baroque style. Adaptations vary in their degree of adherence to Molière’s plot and the amount of emphasis placed on different aspects of the story. However, the core theme of social climbing and the inherent humor in Monsieur Jourdain's misguided aspirations are generally retained. The work remains a popular choice for ballet companies due to its inherent theatricality and opportunities for showcasing diverse dance styles and elaborate costumes.