Ballet is originally an italian dance form
Interesting. I did not know that. I always assumed ballet originated from Russia.
I think it traveled there after the renissance. 
I do enjoy ballet. My favorite ballet is actually a Russian male named, Rudolf Nureyev. 
Rudolf Nureyev was also a choreographer. 
Nureyev was many things. He was quite the controversial figure for his time.
He did his own interpretations of a lot of dances such as swan lake. 
I read about his Swan Lake performance in his autobiography. The reviews were stellar.. 
What is the name of his autobiography?
Off of the top of my head, I cannot remember which one I read. There are a few of them.