Main content

Baroque Dance at Versailles and beyond

Katie Derham explores on dance at the court of Versailles, including the music of Louis XIV and the French Baroque, as well as the origins of classical ballet.

Katie Derham explores dance at the court of Versailles - the dance music of Louis XIV and the French baroque, and the origins of classical ballet.

Picture the scene at Versailles - the Sun King Louis wielding his political power in court - and dancing. It seems strange to us today, but the two were indelibly intertwined in the 17th century. Ballets and operas were extravagant spectacles used to celebrate marriages or show off wealth and power. Louis was known as a great dancer, and in fact, he is seen as the father of classical ballet, establishing the first ballet school in a room at the Louvre palace. His key composer was Jean-Baptiste Lully, who created the first dances which told a story.

In this episode Katie uncovers a hidden dimension of the music in the context of the dance steps, including an interview with the baroque dancer Mary Collins, and musicians Rachel Brown and Adrian Butterfield, who are all working on a joint project, and an insight into dance and power from George Blagden who plays Louis XIV in the 91热爆 TV series 'Versailles'.

Available now

31 minutes

Last on

Sat 24 Jun 2017 15:00
91热爆 Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

The contemporary ballet composer

Next

Arabic Dance

See all episodes from Sound of Dance

Music Played

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    Ballet De La Nuit - Overture

    Performer: S茅bastien Dauc茅. Orchestra: Ensemble Correspondances.
    • Harmonia Mundi : HMC-952223.24.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 1.

  • Jean鈥怭hilippe Rameau

    Les Fetes D'Hebe - Contredanse

    Ensemble: Les Arts Florissants. Director: William Christie.
    • ERATO : 3984-26129-2.
    • ERATO.
    • 20.

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    Ballet De La Nuit - Entree du Roy representant le Soleil levent

    Performer: S茅bastien Dauc茅. Ensemble: Ensemble Correspondances.
    • Harmonia Mundi : HMC-952223.24.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 28.

  • Marc鈥怉ntoine Charpentier

    Le Malade Imaginaire - Intermedes

    Performer: Les Arts Florissants. Director: William Christie. Singer: Monique Zanetti. Singer: No茅mi Rime. Singer: Claire Brua. Singer: Howard Crook. Singer: Jean-Fran莽ois Gardeil. Singer: Dominique Visse.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMC-901336.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 1.

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    Le Triomphe De L'Amour (extracts)

    Ensemble: Marais Ensemble. Director: Hugo Reyne.
    • ACCORD : 476-1053.
    • ACCORD.
    • 15.

  • Jean鈥怓茅ry Rebel

    Les Caracteres De La Danse

    Ensemble: Les Musiciens du Louvre. Conductor: Marc Minkowski.
    • ERATO : 2292--45974-2.
    • ERATO.
    • 12.

  • Robert de Vis茅e

    Suite No. 9 In D Minor - Courante

    Performer: Rafa毛l Andia.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMA-1901186.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 45.

  • Marin Marais

    Pieces En Trio - Suite No. 5 In E Minor: Sarabande

    Performer: Juan Manuel Quintana. Performer: Dolores Costoyas. Performer: Attilo Cremonisi.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMX 290871726.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 27.

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    Persee - Gigue

    Performer: Christophe Rousset. Ensemble: Les Talens Lyriques.
    • AMBROISIE : AM-167.
    • AMBROISIE.
    • 13.

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    Chaconne Des Harlequins

    Orchestra: London H盲ndel Players.

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    Persee - Passacaille

    Performer: Christophe Rousset. Ensemble: Les Talens Lyriques.
    • AMBROISIE : AM-167.
    • AMBROISIE.
    • 15.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Suite No. 3 In D Major BWV.1068: Rondeau

    Performer: Ton Koopman. Orchestra: Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.
    • RCA : RD-77864.
    • RCA.
    • 2.

  • Jean鈥怭hilippe Rameau

    Les Fetes D'Hebe: 3rd Entree - La Danse

    Ensemble: Les Arts Florissants. Director: William Christie.
    • ERATO : 3984-26129-2.
    • ERATO.
    • 12.

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    Le Triomphe De L'Amour - L'entree d'Apollon

    Ensemble: Marais Ensemble. Director: Hugo Reyne.
    • ACCORD : 476-1053.
    • ACCORD.
    • 9.

Broadcast

  • Sat 24 Jun 2017 15:00
    91热爆 Radio 3

What does Darcey dance to in the kitchen?

Former ballerina. Strictly judge. Playlisting FIEND. These are her top picks for dancing.

Podcast

  • Sound of Dance

    Katie Derham explores the relationship between music and dance in a variety of genres.