La Ville et la Cour se Mélèrent – Napoleon's Propaganda Quadrilles (1793–1813)

Abstract

Many eyewitnesses mention the emergence of a new style of ceremonial dances performed at the Napoleonic court between 1802 and 1814. The deliberate mixing of the social classes during these occasions was considered a novelty. A significant proportion of the original musical scores for these semi-public dances has survived although they are sometimes hard to decipher. However, the importance of the choreographers involved (Pierre Gardel and Jean-Etienne Despréaux among others), suggests that the artistic standard of the works was high. This is confirmed by a link between these dances and the corps de ballet of the Paris Opéra which is apparent from other contemporary sources. By comparing eyewitness accounts with the archival sources, it becomes possible to deduce at least some of the missing choreographic details and social circumstances.