Concept
For centuries, dance and music have been intertwined disciplines, the developments in one informing the evolution of the other.
The practice of dance enhances our understanding of the music written for it, and when well-known and newly rediscovered musical works are performed as accompaniment to the dances they existed alongside, the audience is able to better engage not just with the culture and aesthetic of past centuries, but to participate more fully in the transmission of art between performer and concertgoer.
Why
La reine danse was formed to fulfil just such a need, and to allow audiences to experience historical music and dance not as useless curios, displayed without context as museum pieces, but as living and breathing artistic forms that enrich our apprecitation for historical practice and shed light upon modern experience. Historically, dance was not just an artistic practice, it was also a form of social engagement for a community, with all the etiquettes and rules that may be expected. Hence, historical dance and dance music represent a unique reflection of society, as well as often subtly commenting upon those very societies - commentaries that can offer insights into ever-present social issues that affect us now, as well as then.
What
As dancers and artists, we have a particular love for the cultural life of France in the early 18th century.
Under the reign of King Louis XIV, Paris reached an apex of artistic value, becoming a centre that attracted performers from all over Europe, and in turn influencing the development of artistic life across the continent.
It is only in recent years that the music of this time has been re-evaluated, and the work on rediscovering and understanding the dances of the time (and how they are to be interpreted with the music) remains nascent. It is our goal to continue our research into the performing arts of this period. This allows us to introduce this unique and engaging art to a wider audience and to perform these choreographies as they were intended, live, in front of an audience.
How
Our performances mesmerise seasoned concert-goers and curious neophytes alike, because our art is not afraid to dream, to challenge, and to inspire.
As young artists and researchers, we strive to further develop our collaboration and firmly believe in the significant public and academic value possessed by these twin arts which we love. By presenting beauty beyond the everyday, drawn from the deep well of history and presented in a context of universal experience, we hope and believe that our dance and music will form connections. Connections between past and present, between and within performers and audience, and between art and art - the arts of dance, of music, of costuming. The arts of historical theatre, lovingly restored by us for the enjoyment of all.