About Baroque Dance :

Louis XIV photo

During the reign of Louis XIV (1661-1715) France became the cultural center of Europe. Louis consolidated his power base at Versailles by putting on magificent entertainments. The king and nobility along with professional dancers took part in lavish spectacles called ballet de cour, given in theatres constructed within the royal residences. Louis as the Sun God Apollo radiated wealth, beauty, light, and power.

Reflecting the strict rules of manners and etiquette, dance was an integral part of court life. All the nobility and upper classes had to dance, and lessons began at a very young age. Performance of the complex solos and danses a deux (couple dances) performed at Court Balls demanded a high level of technical ability to execute the graceful noble style with poise and ease of manner.

Louis XIV photo

A notation system for recording dances was developed towards the end of the seventeenth century by a French dancing master, Pierre Beauchamps. In 1700 another dancing master, Raoul Feuillet, published the first collection of notated dances. For about 35 years published annual collections of choreographies were circulated throughout Europe using the Beauchamps-Feuillet notation system. A number of dance treatises were also published, giving instruction in how the execute and perfect the art of dancing.