"Ballet as we know it today originated in Italy but was brought to France in the late 16th century by Catherine de Medici. The first ballet comique de la reine (dramatic ballet) was performed as an aristocratic wedding at the Parisian Court in 1581. It combined music, dance and poetic recitations (usually in praise of the monarchy) and was performed by male courtiers with women of the court forming the corps de ballet. Louis XIV so enjoyed the spectacles that he danced many leading roles himself at Versailles. In 1661, he founded the Academic Royale de Danse (Royal Dance Academy), from which modern ballet developed."