5 research outputs found
Critical observations on the art of dancing, to which is added a collection of Cotillons or French dances
A treatise on the art of dancing.
Originally published in 1762 and reissued in 1765, this work borrows heavily from previously published materials, including the works of Locke, Goldini, and especially John Weaver's 1712 An Essay towards a history of dancing. Gallini (1728-1805) presents a history of dance, arguments for learning the art of dance, and a discourse on the minuet. Especialy interesting are Gallini's comments on European and non-European dance, and discussion includes practices in Britain, Spain, Naples, the peasants of Tirol, Russia, Turkey, China, Africa, and the Americas
Critical observations on the art of dancing : to which is added A collection of cotillons or French dances
Gallini, Giovanni-Andrea (1728-1805) London: Printed for the author... (1770) Giovanni-Andrea Gallini was director of the Kings Theatre in London. In Critical Observations, he promoted the use of contemporary dance terminology. The first two chapters contain a history of dance which is largely indebted to Cahusac's La danse ancienne et moderne, although without acknowledgement. Chapter three, "On the air and port of the person" summarizes the positive traits a student acquires from learning how to dance: a head erect without stiffness, a body upright without affectation, a gait firm and assured without heaviness, a bearing light and airy without indecency. A poem in celebration of Mr. Marcell, Gallini's master, is appended. A "Description of several steps and movements practiced in the art of dancing" describes the ballroom, provides a glossary, explains floor patterns, illustrates the true and false positions, comments on a few steps, and denigrates the use of chorégraphie, or dance notation