Influential Artists
King Louis XIV, a dancer and patron of the arts, required a notation system to be developed in order to: record, teach, and spread French Baroque dance. The King established the world’s first ballet school, the Academie Royal de Danse. Giovanni Baptista (Jean Baptiste Lully) served the king as the composer for the courts dances and eventually took over the Academie Royal de Danse. |
The time frame and where the movement originated
Baroque dance took form between mid-17th to early 18th centuries, and originated in France. The noble dance style was cultivated by dancing masters and dance activities at the court of Louis XIV. The Baroque style greatly influenced ballroom and theatre dance throughout Europe.
Societies Involvement
Ballroom dances were a social event, especially each year before Lent. Court balls were held every night for weeks, and they often lasted until dawn. The people could not leave before the King or Duchesse. A formal ball began with couples joined in a linked line. The line formed the social hierarchy that established the dancing order for the event. Next, the danses à deux was performed starting with those of the highest social rank, the dance would be preformed one couple at a time. The evening would conclude with the English country dances.
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