The sixteenth-century Italian violinist, dancing master, and choreographer Balthasar de Beaujoyeulx (ca 1535-1587) went to France from Savoy in about 1555 in the suite of the Marechal de Brissac, and was employed by several royal households. He was rapidly noted for his talent at organizing court entertainment, and was appointed valet de chambre to Catherine de Medici, wife of Henri II. He served her and her three sons for 30 years.

Born Baldassare de Belgiojoso, he later became known as Beaujoyeulx or Beaujoyeux. It is thought that he may have collaborated in the mascarade Paradis d'Amour (1572). The following year he choreographed Le Ballet des Polonais to celebrate the election of Catherine's second son, the Duc d'Anjou, as King of Poland. Beaujoyeulx's most famous work is Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, which Queen Louise discussed with him personally beforehand. It was produced at the Louvre in Paris in 1581. He too...