COMING SOON . . .

"i FIORI dei BALLI:

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE DANCES OF CAROSO'S

IL BALLARINO (1581)"

 

THE AIM:

A combined book, cd, and dvd, covering the most common steps and figures used in Il Ballarino, and giving detailed instructions for the performance of fifteen dances, covering as wide a range of styles as possible, while using only a limited step-vocabulary.

THE BACKROUND:

Il Ballarino, published by Fabritio Caroso in 1581, was one of the most influential dance manuals of the renaissance. It is now the most widely used of the surviving 16thC Italian dance manuals, yet it is not available in English translation. Furthermore, the dance-style of late 16thC Italy can be difficult to approach without a teacher: the step-vocabulary is large; choreographies range from easy to extremely difficult (yet it may take an experienced dancer to tell the difference at first sight); and dances in many styles are mingled in the one book (so a beginner may find little common ground between the first few dances learned).

FEATURES:

• Dances are chosen for simplicity, as well as beauty. Most have a clear repeat-structure, and can be done using only ten easy steps.

• Dances are grouped by type, and graded according to diffcultly, so that steps and figures learned in the first dance may be applied to the second, and so on.

• Accompanying CD includes “calling track”, with instructions overlaid over the music, and slower “practice-speed” versions of some of the faster dance

• Sheet music in modern notation will also be included, with Caroso's tablature arranged for a consort.

• A complete translation of Caroso's instructions will be included with each step and dance described, so dancers may draw their own conclusions.

• All the dances have been newly reconstructed, several for the first time (as far as I know), so even dancers with much experience of Caroso should find something to excite them.

DANCES

Mixers:   Ballo del Fiore,  Ballo del Piantone

Balletti for Two:   Rustica Amorosa,  Contentezza d'Amore,  Bassa Pompilia,  Alba Novella, Pungente Dardo

Cascarde (and similar dances):   La Castellana,  Spagnoletta,  Vita e quanto Haggio, Fiamma d'Amore,  Il Conto del Orco

Dances for several couples:   Fulgente Stella,  Contrapasso Nuovo,  Chiaranzana

All the major styles represented in Il Ballarino are covered, except for the improvised, or semi-improvised dances – galliards, cararies, passamezzi, and so on. They require, and deserve, a book of their own.
 

ABOUT the AUTHORS:

Katherine Davies has been involved in renaissance dancing for about ten years. She has been reconstructing from Il Ballarino for seven, and has taught extensively in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. She handles most of the translation and reconstruction.

Alex Rossiter is a musicologist, studying for a Masters in Early Music at Auckland University. He handles the music.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Will appear here.

Or contact me at: katherine.may.davies@gmail.com

We hope to have Fiori dei Balli available for sale in 2008. Please email  me if you would like to be notified.

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