In 2008, director, choreographer and dancer Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière founded Les Jardins Chorégraphiques, a company specializing in early dance She first performed Molière’s plays in Old Quebec with, among others, violinist Olivier Brault. “When Olivier moved to Montreal to do his master’s in Baroque music at McGill, he suggested I teach Baroque dance to a group of students,” says Lacoursière. “Dancing helps instrumentalists to feel the music so that they can physically understand its characteristics.” But how do you explain the success of these ancient dances in relation to contemporary dance? Baroque dance brings the music to life on stage—it’s a…
