Louis Dupré (dancer)

Louis Dupré (1697-1774) was a French dancer and ballet master, renowned for his technical virtuosity and graceful stage presence. He was born in Paris and became one of the leading figures of the French court ballet during the reign of Louis XV.

Dupré studied with Claude Balon and is considered a key link between the belle danse tradition of the French Baroque and the development of ballet as a dramatic art form. He was known for his noble bearing, elegant port de bras, and precise execution of steps. He excelled in the danse noble, a style characterized by its dignity, restraint, and emphasis on perfect form.

Dupré joined the Académie Royale de Danse in 1714 and later the Opéra Ballet, where he rose to the rank of premier danseur. He was a highly sought-after teacher, and his pupils included some of the most important dancers of the next generation, notably Gaetan Vestris and Jean-Georges Noverre. Noverre, in particular, credited Dupré with instilling in him a love for the art of ballet and a commitment to expressive dance.

Although Dupré composed few original ballets himself, his influence on the development of ballet choreography was profound. He helped to refine and codify the steps and movements of classical ballet, and his emphasis on artistry and expression laid the foundation for the ballet d'action that would emerge later in the 18th century.

Dupré retired from the stage in 1756 but continued to teach. He remains a significant figure in the history of ballet, remembered for his technical skill, his elegant style, and his contributions to the development of ballet technique and artistry.