Rosina's Dance Page

Reconstructions of Dances

The following reconstructions are all by V. Stephens (SCA = Rosina del Bosco Chiaro) unless otherwise specified. Each dance will have a link to the Discography page for recordings available for the dance, and the 15th-c. Italian dances will have links to the Step page, for any steps needed.

Caveat
The sources for Renaissance dance are unfortunately somewhat vague, having been created for people who were already at least partially familiar with the dance form. This is especially true for the 15th-century Italian dances, where the steps are often not described at all, and the choreographies for specific dances often vary in different manuscripts. There was probably considerable regional variation, and improvisation was admired, so there was not, even at that time, one, immutable, way of performing these dances. Because of this, modern reconstructions show considerable diversity, and the steps, dances and styling will probably be taught at least slightly differently by any teacher, or even by the same teacher at a later date. Also, the same or similar step names were often used for steps that were performed differently in different repertoires.

15th C Italian Balli - Amoroso, Belreguardo Nuovo (for 2), Duchesco, Gioioso in 3 (the 3 person version of Rostiboli), Gioioso in 5, 7, 9 (adaptation of 3 person Rostiboli for more dancers), Jupiter for 5(modern adaptation of 3 person dance) Leoncello Novo Rosina for 5(modern adaptation of 3 person dance) Se No Dormi Tesara for 8 (modern adaptation of Tesara) Tesara for 6 (modern adaptation of Tesara)

Reconstructions of the following balli can be found in Joy and Jealousy by V. Stephens and M. Cellio, which has been webbed by Eric Praetzel.
Amoroso, Anello, Belfiore, Belreguardo (Domenico's version for 2), Colonesse, Fia Guielmina B (the version for 2), Gelosia, Gratiosa, Ingrata, Jupiter, Legiadra, Leoncello (Vecchio), Marchesana, Mercanzia, Petit Riens, Pizocara, Prexonera, Rosina (aka Voltati in ça Rosina), Rostiboli Gioioso, Sobria, Spero, Tesara, Verçeppe, Vita di Cholino.

15th-C Italian Bassedanze - Alesandresca, Chorona Gentile, Cupido, Damnes, Gioliva, Pazienza, Pellegrina, Pietosa, Lauro,

Modern Bassedanze - Mordred's Lullaby, Riunione

Other dances - Allegrezza d'Amore, Bizzarria d'Amore, Il Canario, Chiarantana, Danse des Cleves,

  • Old Measures - We did these quite awhile ago. Info, on other sites, are a concordance of the sources for the sources of the dances, and background info on them. Links are to Greg's webpage, material is from Dances from the Inns of Court, by Peter and Janelle Durham.

    • Last modified: May, 2008

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