Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-235) and index.
Summary:
"Queen Christina of Sweden danced herself in the ballets she promoted. From the beginning of her personal rule until her abdication (1644-1654) court ballet was Christina's privileged medium of political propaganda. The Queen Danced Alone is the first monograph on court ballet during Christina's reign that offers an in-depth analysis of all extant libretti and performances. Based on unstudied and unpublished sources The Queen Danced Alone offers a survey of participants in the production and performances -- authors, dancers, musicians, artists -- as well as the arts involved: dance, music, poetry, set design and costumes. Christina's patronage is especially evident in the heroic motives of the ballets. Her self-fashioning through the parts of the goddesses Diana and Pallas mirrored her role as a young, unmarried and learned monarch and aimed at liberating her from the expectation of providing an heir to the throne. The praise of virtues such as self-control and chastity represented her as a superior being devoted to wisdom. Christina's ballets supported her most important aim: independence"--Back cover.
Series:
Centre d'études supérieures de la Renaissance. Collection "Epitome musical"
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.