Historisk dansbal

Experience a historical ball with dancing to live music in the atmospheric Stensalen at Livrustkammaren. We travel back to Queen Christina’s Swedish court in the 1650s and dance alongside the queen.

The evening begins with a welcome punch, followed by successive rounds of social dances of varying difficulty. During a longer break, light refreshments are served together with historical confectionery. Livrustkammaren’s exhibitions are open to visitors, and a surprise or two is promised.

This year’s ball takes its inspiration from the court ballets and festivities that Queen Christina arranged during her reign in Sweden. In his diary, the English ambassador Whitelock describes one such celebration in 1654. The guests were dressed in the latest French fashions and danced circle dances first, followed by French dances and finally English country dances. “The queen was delighted with these English dances, and herself danced with more spirit and inspiration than the other ladies.”

The English dances that Queen Christina so enjoyed were all the rage in the mid-17th century. The ball will therefore focus on dances from John Playford’s collections published in 1651. There will be a mixture of some of the best-known and most popular dances, as well as some new discoveries. Historical 17th-century dress is compulsory.

The well-liked and accomplished dance historian and teacher Camilla Kandare is responsible for the dancing both before and during the ball. Everyone who enjoys dancing is welcome, even if you have no previous experience of historical dance. Before the ball, you are warmly invited to preparatory dance sessions at Livrustkammaren, where the dances will be taught. The dance sessions take place on 4 October and 8 October.

We hope all guests will attend at least one of these dance sessions to get the most enjoyment out of dancing at the ball.

Music for the dancing will be provided by Baroque violinist Rebecka Karlsson and harpsichordist Wilhelm Dahllöf, who, together with their ensemble, have extensive experience of playing for historical dance.

Tickets go on sale on 26 August. Sign up for our newsletter for the opportunity to buy tickets before the general release!

Photo: Dansgruppen Pied en l'Air, Jens Mohr, Statens historiska museer.