history of dance medieval - baroque. medieval theatre conventions: - pre-occupation with death &...

History of DanceMedieval - Baroque

Medieval TheatreConventions: - pre-

occupation with death & the dead- seizure-like movements

the Tarentella

a.k.a. “St. Vitus’ Dance”

Patron saint of the afflicted

Medieval TheatreThe Dance of the Dead

Stay in your graves, please!

Renaissance Dancethe court dance v. the peasant dance

Court Dance conventions:

• Chance to show off for others• Courtship “dance”• Unmarried men & women can

touch without being inappropriate• Skipping, jumping, twirling, group

dances, poses, glides

Renaissance Dance

Court dances:The Galliard – Q. Elizabeth’s favorite

dance? Somewhat improvised, very lively

The Minuet –

slow-paced partner dance, with much rising & bending

Renaissance Dance

Lavolta• Italian in origin• Name refers to the use of turns in the

dance• Uses music like the Galliard and begins

with Galliard steps until the couple turns to eachother

• A favorite of Elizabeth I

Renaissance Dance

a slow, walking dance done for ceremonies to show off

in front of nobility (known for hand turns)

Name refers to its origin in Padua, Italy

Renaissance Dance

Peasant Dance conventions…• Lively tempos• Large, wide steps• Performed in public areas, town squares, etc.

Baroque Dance

BalletLouis XIII participates as a dancer, composer,

and director

Louis XIV Excellent & enthusiastic dancer from age 13 (1615) through 1670

Baroque Dance - Ballet

Conventions:Under Louis XIII…• Elaborate spectacles of biblical tales & mythology

brought to court for entertainment (also Henry IV in England)

• Louis XIII participates (dancer, composer, director)

• Performances in front of City Hall (Paris) so townspeople can see it.

• Dance done by amateurs

Baroque Dance - Ballet

Conventions under Louis XIV…• Pierre Beauchamps – Louis XIV took lessons from

him most of his life• Jean-Baptiste Lully – composer & musician who

worked with Louis XIV• Forms Royal Academy of Music & Dance• 1661 – Louis XIV asks Beauchamps to record the

known foot & arm positions for ballet… these recording are the basis for all ballet technique

• Ballet becomes professional under Louis XIV, Beauchamps & Lully

Baroque Dance - Ballet

plie

Barre workPointe shoes

Baroque Dance - BalletPositions of the feet

1st position 2nd position

4th position 5th position

3rd position is 1st position with one foot ahead of the other

Baroque Dance - Ballet

Pas des deux & Arabesque position

Leaping men demonstrate their strength

The tutu

Baroque Theatre

Theatre Conventions

JACQUES CALLOT, The Combat at the Barrier, 1627

• Performances move inside & become more lavish spectacles

• Court theatre is dominated by Masques• Women are generally accepted on stage by the late

18th C

Stages & theatres

are decorated in same ornate style

Baroque Theatre - Opera

Teatro alla

Scala

Milan, Italy

Founded 1778

Libretto + score = Opera (“work” in italian)

Baroque Theatre - Opera

Opera starts in the courts… the first publically attended opera was in Venice in 1637

Claudio Monteverdi (Italy) Georges Frederic Handel (Germany)