This vintage book is a concise treatise on the history of dancing in Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Profusely illustrated and full of fascinating information and interesting insights, this is a volume that will appeal to those with an interest in the traditional dances and songs of these countries. Contents include: “Portuguese Dances”, “Basque Dances”, “Spain”, and “Italy”. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on dance.

The waltz, perhaps the most beloved social dance of the 19th and early 20th centuries, once provoked outrage from religious leaders and other self-appointed arbiters of social morality. Decrying the corrupting influence of social dancing, they failed to suppress the popularity of the waltz or other dance crazes of the period, including the Charleston, the tango, and "animal dances" such as the Turkey Trot, Grizzly Bear, and Bunny Hug. This book investigates the development of these popular dances, considering in particular how their very existence as "taboo" cultural fads ultimately provided a catalyst for lasting social reform. In addition to examining the impact of the waltz and other scandalous dances on fashion, music, leisure, and social reform, the text describes the opposition to dance and the proliferation of literature on both sides.

This vintage book is a detailed treatise on dancing, being an exploration of its history, development, influence, and evolution. From dancing in ancient Greece to the modern tango, "The Dance - Its Place in Art and Life" covers it all in great detail and offers fascinating insights into how dance has developed over the past two thousand years. This volume is highly recommended for those with an interest in the history of dancing and would make for a worthy addition to any collection. Contents include: "The Dancing of Ancient Egypt and Greece", "Dancing in Rome", "The Middle Ages and the Renaissance", "A Glance at the Ballet's Technique", "The Great Golden Age of Dancing", "Spanish Dancing", "Italian Dances", "European Folk-Dancing in General", "Oriental Dancing", "The Ballet in the Dark Ages", "The Romantic Revolution", etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction. First published in 1914.

Excerpt from Polite and Social Dances: A Collection of Historic Dances, Spanish, Italian, French, English, German, American; With Historical Sketches, Descriptions of the Dances, and Instructions for Their Performance The Garanos is variously interpreted, sometimes as an archaic religious dance; sometimes as a pas toral dance celebrating the return of the crane in the springtime, showing its flight and other movements. The Geramos was also supposed to figure the endlesswindings and turnings of Theseus in his efforts to free himself from the Labyrinth. From this in turn probably emanated the Labyrinthian dance, usually performed by peasants on returning from the vine yards with their mules laden with panniers of grapes. Leaving their harvest by the wayside, they joined hands and followed a leader, who by waving a hand kerchief initiated all manner of intricate figures. Later these involutions were transcribed into the ancient mosaic floors, thus permanently fixing the patterns of the maze, and producing the first Chore ography, or dance-writing, known to the world. As in sculpture, the Greeks divined and perfected all the possibilities of its sister art of the dance. We show our good sense and taste when we consult its criterions, and follow its laws. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Dances of Portugal East of Castelo Branco the village of Malpica owns a fine dance group, full of life. Their lovely costume with water pleated skirts - the material wetted, pleated, and the pleats held in place by stones till dry - and chemises water-pleated also, and the hair plaited into a basket-shape, is, alas, rapidly falling into disuse. Here, Nature with her rolling country, rye fields and evergreen oaks, all clean and dry, makes for spotless cleanliness among the peasants. In the Estrela mountains we find cold, huddled living conditions, people seeking warmth before cleanliness. The dances of Beira have much in common with each other, for they are variations of the fundamental triple step, used with raised arms and click ing fingers, and are chiefly in ring formation. With this recreational style we find a few ritual Maypole dances, chiefly towards the Spanish frontier. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Throughout the centuries, ballet has had a rich and ever-evolving role in the humanities. Renowned choreographers, composers, and performers have contributed to this unique art form, staging enduring works of beauty. Significant productions by major companies embrace innovations and adaptations, enabling ballet to thrive and delight audiences all over the globe. In The Encyclopedia of World Ballet,Mary Ellen Snodgrass surveys the emergence of ballet from ancient Asian models to the present, providing overviews of rhythmic movement as a subject of art, photography, and cinema. Entries in this volume reveal the nature and purpose of ballet, detailing specifics about leaders in classic design and style, influential costumers and companies, and trends in technique, partnering, variation, and liturgical execution. This reference covers: Choreographers Composers Costumers Dance companies Dancers Productions Set designers Techniques Terminology Among the principal figures included here are Alvin Ailey, Afrasiyab Badalbeyli, George Balanchine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Pierre Beauchamp, Sergei Diaghilev, Agnes DeMille, Nacho Duato, Isadora Duncan, Boris Eifman, Mats Ek, Erté, Martha Graham, Inigo Jones, Louis XIV, Amalia Hernández Navarro, Rudolf Nureyev, Marius Petipa, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Agrippina Vaganova. This work also features dance companies from the Americas, Australia, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, and Vietnam. Productions include such universal narrative favorites as Coppélia, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Scheherazade, Firebird, and Swan Lake. Featuring a chronology that identifies key events and figures, this volume highlights significant developments in stage presentations over the centuries. The Encyclopedia of World Ballet will serve general readers, dance instructors, and enthusiasts from middle school through college as well as professional coaches and performers, troupe directors, journalists, and historians of the arts.