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Dance during the Renaissance  

Questions: Popular dance during the Renaissance? How they danced to them? What were the influences for the dances?

Ballet during the Renaissance:

Ballet first originated in Italy, during the renaissance from 1300- 1600 and was called ballo in Italy. At that time ballet slippers, tutus, or any complex ballet positions and moves were not invented in the renaissance yet. Later closer to the end of the renaissance the choreography was gradually getting complex, but before that there was all kind of simple dances to all types and kinds of court dance steps. As the progress of ballet allowed evolution of ballet to sophisticate. Ballet dancing, performances were designed only for special occasions and was not entertainment for the poor. The ballerinas at the time dressed according to the fashion of that time. Female dancers were not allowed to show their legs or ankles when they danced and wore masks not allowing the audience to be able to see their faces. The masks were an artistic expression that was used to work up, excite, and stir up the audience, to a level that they would encourage them to participate at the end of the performance. There was big exposure of ballet when the French King Henry the 2nd married Catherine Medici, who was surrounded by patrons of Renaissance art and culture. She brought the extravagant dances to Italy, turning ballet as a popular, chic, stylish, and the latest thing to do. The first famous ballet dancers were recognized for their abilities from the French Court. There were Ballet competitions, which were held at elaborate, classy, luxurious, elegant parties where the dancers would perform. After everything Ballet became a court entertainment.

Dancing Masters:

During the renaissance being a dancer was a very big accomplishment for both men and woman. Nobles would have a dancing master in their houses.

The dancing master would teach the proper techniques, movements, and steps.

Dancing (In General):

In the Renaissance time period, dancing was a pastime and a graceful and elegant form of exercise to keep fit. It was a social skill that the nobles usually had. The Renaissance time period had two types of social dances, simple dances and complex dances. Simple dances were effortless and straight forward; it could be performed by an infinite amount of people. The simple dances were typically performed in circle or lines. Complex dances were complicated and required a

dancing master or lots of practice. They were usually performed in front of enormous audiences. An important part of complex dances was the foot work. The clothing the dancers wore was bulky clothing. It limited the movement of the upper body. Woman usually wore corsets, a garment, which was worn to hold and shape the torso. Men wore tight lacing on the upper body and every now and then wore corsets. Corsets were made for both men and woman, but usually woman wore it. Dancing was typically not a regular entertainment. It was a theatrical entertainment and was never performed by the courts nobles. These things are the most significant part of dancing during the renaissance.

Dancing (main things to do):

The Major aspects of men and woman were similar. These aspects affected the dancers grab and social graces. The steps were small and the torso was always identical to were the arms were. The footwork in the time during the Renaissance was energetic, enthusiastic, dynamic, skilful, kicking strength, endurance and last evaluation for both men and woman. Never were the toes pointed, but flexed and so were the ankles, legs were straight in a deep plie and a slight turnout. The dancer’s hands were taken, clapping, holding a sword (men only), hat, flower, and many more things. Arms and hands were never elevated over the head and not much force was used by the upper arm. Men’s arms were either used for holding a long cape or the partners hand while dancing. Woman’s feet and dress was the only thing that ever touched the ground. Social etiquette was very important at that time, bowing and kissing a partners hand was an essential part for a dancing relationship between both men and woman. Body positions should always be the same as your partner. From doing this, it encouraged dancers to concentrate and charm each other by paying attention. To add on partners never ever come closer to their partner than hand or arm holding. These are the main things to now and do, when dancing any renaissance dance or in the past.

Popular Renaissance Dance’s:

There are four important and popular renaissance dances. The first one is the Branle, it was a French inspired dance in which performers would sway side to side. It was a performed in a circle

or in a chain, step touching to the right and after to the left. The second type of dance was the pavane, which was a slow dance for couples gliding. The Galliard, which is the next time, is done in triple time with leg thrust and leaps dancing forward, back, side to side, or even diagonal, it is a complex dance. The last type of dance is the Alemande, it was either done in a group or couple, performed in either a moving forward or back. It would be in a chain dance, doing a chasse, and then walking, turns and after changing partners.

Pre-class Dance:

There are two types of pre-class dances, the first one is the Basse dance and the second one is the haute dance. When you dance the Basse dance you are low to

the ground and the steps are slow. Dancing the haute dance you are high off the ground, it has lively jumps and turns. These are the two pre-class dances.

Simple things need to know for Renaissance dances:

Simple things you need to know when dancing renaissance dances are what are singles and doubles are, reverence, arming, and what siding is. A single is when you go forward or backward, starting with the left foot. A double is moving double forward, single back, doing this will gradually get you across the dance floor. Reverence is a “greeting” step, when the dancer and there dance partner face each other with each other’s eyes locked together. Then sliding one step back and bending both knees (a curtsey) and rising again. Arming is when partners take each other’s elbows, at the same time circling each other in two double steps. Siding is another “greeting” step. The dancers stand straight across from each other and move slightly to the left or the right. As at the same time stepping forward until their shoulders are almost touching. These are things you had to now during the Renaissance.

Early Ballet Styles:

The early ballet styles in the Renaissance were ballet comique, masque, ballet an entrees, and opera ballet. Ballet comique is when ballet is performed to a theme or a story, reenacted in dance. Masque was

court ballet which had put the emphasis on the spoken word through dance. Comedy ballet was called Comedie for the duration of the renaissance.

It was based on the music and its words. When court dances were

performed in a series, between meal courses or during the intermission of a theatrical play, it was called ballet an entrees. The performances allowed other dancers and performers to change into their other costumes, giving them a break to change and rest. The last style of ballet is opera ballet, which came from or was influenced by the ballet style ballet an entrée. It is when ballerinas dance to scenes sequence to music/song. These are the early dance styles in the Renaissance.

Catherine De Medici:

Catherine De Medici was born in Italy. She was the queen of France who was married to the French king Henry. She was cold hearted

and talented artists from Italy followed her to France and created a luxurious Italian styled court. Catherine had encouraged dance teachers with financial support.