Fioretto is a historical dance ensemble whose name means “little flower” in Italian. As a dance term, fioretto also refers to an ornamented step: a small, elegant and expressive movement.
The ensemble was founded in 2012 and is based in Rakvere at Kaur School of Music and Arts. Fioretto’s aim is to revive and perform court dances from the late Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, dating approximately from the 15th to the 17th century.
Dances from 17th-century England and France hold an important place in Fioretto’s repertoire. Their performances bring to the audience the customs, movement language and courtly elegance of the period, offering a glimpse into Europe’s historical dance culture.
The ensemble performs in authentic period-style and strikingly splendid costumes, making each performance visually enjoyable and festive. Fioretto can be seen at historical celebrations, Hanseatic Days and festivals across Estonia, including, for example, the Hanseatic Days in Pärnu and Viljandi.
Fioretto often performs to live music and collaborates with early music ensembles. This creates a complete and authentic period experience, where dance, music and costumes come together in one festive whole.
Fioretto proves that historical dance is not merely a recollection of the past, but a living, beautiful and engaging art form that still speaks to audiences today.