François Delsarte

Delsarte, François (b Solesmes, 11 Nov. 1811, d Paris, 20 July 1871). French music teacher. He developed a system known as the Delsarte method by which performers were taught to develop the expressiveness of their bodies. He divided human movement into three categories (eccentric, concentric, and normal) and three zones (head, torso, and limbs) in his attempt to develop his pupils' physical control. His adherents, including Jaques-Dalcroze and Shawn, made use of his methods in evolving modern dance techniques.

Delsarte, François (fräNswä' dĕlsärt') , 1811–71, French teacher of acting and singing. He studied singing (1825–29) at the Paris Conservatoire and appeared as a tenor at the Opéra-Comique, but faulty training had damaged his voice. Delsarte formulated certain principles of aesthetics that he applied to the teaching of dramatic expression. He set up rules coordinating the voice with the gestures of all parts of the body. In 1839 he opened his first cours d'esthétique appliqué, and his advice was sought by many famous artists, e.g., Rachel, Henriette Sontag, and W. C. Macready. Steele MacKaye studied with him in Delsarte's last years and brought to the United States the Delsarte system, to which he had added many of his own ideas, including elements of gymnastics. Some of Delsarte's writings are included in the compilation Delsarte System of Oratory (1893).

Quotes:

"The object of art is to crystallize emotion into thought and then give it form."