At the dawn of the 17th century, when virtually all European arts aspired toward greater expressivity and emotional impact, the most lavish performances combined harmonious instrumental music and singing, theatrical dance steps and gestures, elegant costumes, vivid scenery and special effects. Gestures were of particular importance, involving the whole body.

Join Matthew Dirst and Catherine Turocy for a lecture-demonstration exploring Baroque gestures with reference to selected works from the MFAH art collections, excerpts from Claudio Monteverdi's Madrigals of Love and War and demonstrations of dance steps.