“Music and dance are all you need.” Molière: Le bourgeois gentilhomme (1670) Dance and diplomacy were inseparable at Louis XIV’s opulent palace in Versailles. Every aspect of the palace was designed to reinforce the King’s absolute authority, and Louis protected his political power through pageantry. In appointing the Italian-born musician,…

“If the Bohemians had the advantages enjoyed by the Italians they would surpass them. They are perhaps the most musical race in all Europe”. Charles Burney (1773) The celebrations for the crowning of Charles VI as King of Bohemia in Prague in 1723 included an opera performance by 200 musicians…

“If there are Charms in Musick in general, all the reasonable World agrees, that the Vocal has the Pre-eminence, both from Nature and Art above the Instrumental.” JE Galliard (1743) Ancient Greek theatre inspired a gathering of musicians, poets and intellectuals in Florence in the late 16th century to create…