Dupré [düpr’Ɛ] Louis, *circa 1697, †1774, French dancer and choreographer. He performed at the Paris Opera in the years 1715–1751, as well as in London (1722–1725), Dresden and Warsaw (1725–1726). From 1739 ballet master [French maître de ballet] of the Paris Opera, he headed the ballet school there until 1743. The most famous dancer of the 18th century before G. Vestris. He was known as Le Grand Dupré because of his tall stature and outstanding talent. According to J.G. Noverre, he was characterised by extraordinary harmonious movements and flexibility (the so-called développé), with an excellent technique of jumps, turns and battu. His students were G. Vestris and J.G. Noverre, among others.
