As we had the pleasure of Monna Fina's company for an afternoon, we had an extra dance practice this week.
Present: Fina, Anna, Caterine, William, Katherina
Dances: Lorrayne Almain, Black Almain, Contentezza d'Amore (from Il Ballarino), Gracca Amorosa.
Lorrayne Almain
One of the Old Measures, danced in England from the late 16th to the 1ate 17th century.
To be danced by a column of couples, each standing with the man on the left and the woman on the right, the man holding the woman's left hand in his right.
- 4 doubles forwards, with a hop at the end of each double
- 4 doubles: 1 forwards, 1 backwards, 1 forwards, 1 releasing your partners hand and turning in place. This section usually repeats.
Repeat the whole dance.
Black Almain
Another of the Old Measures.
To be danced by a column of couples, each standing with the man on the left and the woman on the right, the man holding the woman's left hand in his right.
- Four doubles forwards. End by releasing hands, and facing your partner.
- A double backwards, away from your partner; a double forwards towards your partner.
- Everyone turns 90 degrees to their own left, and does a double forwards, away from their partner. Everyone turns 180 degrees and does another double, back to their partner.
- Men set and turn (single left, single right, turn around), then women set and turn.
- Take both hands with your partner, change places with a double. Four slides 'up the hall'. Change places again. Another four slides down the hall, then release hands.
- Double backwards away from your partner, double forwards to meet. Take ordinary hands and face the front, ready to start again.
Repeat the whole dance as many times as you like; on alternate repeats the women set and turn before the men.
Contentezza d'Amore
A balletto from Il Ballarino, a dance manual published by Caroso in 1580.
Gracca Amorosa
A cascarda from Il Ballarino.