A Treatise on the Art of DancingGallini, Giovanni-Andrea
History
A Treatise on the Art of Dancing
Gallini, Giovanni-Andrea
Dance -- Early works to 1800; Dance -- History -- Early works to 1800; Theater -- History
There is no occasion however for a learner to be confined to
this dance. He should rather be encouraged, or have a curiosity
be excited in him, to learn especially those dances, which are
of the more tender or serious character, contributing, as they
greatly do, to perfect one in the minuet; independently of the
pleasure they besides give both in the performance and to the
sight. The dances the most in request are, the _Saraband_, the
_Bretagne_ the _Furlana_, the _Passepied_, the _Folie
d'Espagne_, the _Rigaudon_, the _Minuet du Dauphin_ the
_Louvre_, _La Mariée_, which is always danced at the Opera of
Roland at Paris. Some of these are performed solo, others are
duet-dances. The _Louvre_ is held by many the most pleasing of
them all, especially when well executed by both performers, in a
just concert of motions; no dance affording the arms more
occasion for a graceful display of them, or a more delicate
regularity of the steps; being composed of the most select ones
from theatrical dances, and formed upon the truest principles of
the art. This dance is executed in most countries of Europe
without any variation. It is generally followed or terminated by
a minuet; and these two dances, the Louvre and the minuet, are
at present the most universally in fashion, and will, in all
probability, continue so, from their being both pleasing beyond
all others, to the performers, as well as to the spectators, and
from their not being difficult to learn, if the scholar has but
common docility.
Youth being for learning this art undoubtedly the best season,
for reasons as I have before observed, too obvious to need
insisting on, the master cannot pay too much attention to the
availing himself of the pliancy of that age, to give his
scholars the necessary instructions for preparing and
well-disposing their limbs. This holds good, particularly with
regard to that propensity innate to most persons of turning in
their toes. I have already mentioned the expediency of curing
this defect, by the directing them to acquire a habit of turning
the knees outward, to which I have to add, that on the proper
turn of the knee, chiefly depend the graces of the under part of
the figure, that is to say, from the foot to the hip.
Frequent practice also of dancing, or of any salutary exercise,
is also highly recommendable for obtaining a firmness of body;
for a tottering dancer can never plant his steps so as to afford
a pleasing execution. It may sound a little odd, but, the truth
is, that in dancing, sprightliness and agility are principally
produced by bodily strength; while on the contrary, weakness, or
infirmity, must give every step and spring, not only a
tottering, but a heavy air. The legs that bear with the most
ease the weight of the body, will naturally make it seem the
lightest.
A
SUMMARY ACCOUNT
Of various kinds of
DANCES
In different Parts of the WORLD.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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