UP ON THE DOWNBEAT

A strong connection between musician and dancer is an essential skill described in the earliest dance manuals from the 15th century. This symbiotic music-and-dance relationship continued into the 18th century,...

Louis XIV' s violinist dancing masters, Pierre Beauchamp and Raoul Auger Feuillet devised a clever system for recording dance choreographies alongside the written music. Understanding this notation helps us to...

The ballroom offered rare opportunities for courtiers and wanna-bees to flirt, impress, and be seen. Beneath the formalized rules of etiquette seethed amorous dramas and political conflicts that played out...