Symposium: French Baroque Gesture 1675-1800

The three-day STIMU symposium is dedicated this year to the art of gesture in French Baroque theatre, opera and dance. Parallels and differences between the genres will be explored, as well as the consequences of the use of gesture on timing, tempo and expression of the performer. A number of lectures and demonstrations will feature an international gathering of researchers, musicians, authors and dancers, all specialists in their field.

Among the speakers:
• Graham Sadler (University of Hull): Reconstructing the union of music, movement and gesture in the ballets figurés of two Rameau-Cahusac operas
• Jennifer Thorp (New College, Oxford University): Expressive dance in Dubos’ ‘Réflexions critiques’
• Sabine Chaouche (Oxford Brookes University): Pastiche on the French Stage
• Jed Wentz (artistiek leider Musica ad Rhenum): Affect, Rubato and Gesture at the Opéra

Click for the full programme (pdf).


Two lectures are particularly suited to be introductions for interested members of the general public, allowing them to follow the rest of the symposium as well. For these two lectures, separate tickets can be bought.

sat 28 aug, 11h00 / Introduction on gesture by Sharon Weller
sun 29 aug, 11h00 / Demonstration gesture by Jed Wentz

The other symposium events are accessible with a passepartout or tickets for individual days.

sat 28 aug: 11h00 - 17h30
sun 29 aug: 10h00 - 17h30
mon 30 aug: 10h00 - 12h45