The Renaissance & Baroque Society Presents
Doulce Mémoire
Paradis d'Amour


In Europe, formal dances played an important role in the court life of the Renaissance. Dance was part of the nobleness' education and it underlined its skills: Elegance, refinement, and willpower. As a true silent rhetoric, it allowed to play the game of seduction, to express one's love, but also to communicate political or secret messages as it happened in the allegorical court ballets.

In 1600, Maria de Médicis came from Florence to marry the King of France. She took the Commedia dell'arte troupes, dance masters, singers and musicians with her. The Italian influence thus began to partly rule the organization of the Court life and especially its feasts.

The performance shows the festive world at the court of Henri IV, King of France: Dance songs by the King's musicians and choreographies by Italian dance masters accompanied by the High Instruments… It is a treat both for eyes and ears!
- With the dancers of Il Ballarino from Florence -.

Songs and dances from Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) and Pierre Guédron (ca 1575-1620)


Doulce Mémoire
Direction Denis Raisin Dadre