Recüeil de contredances mises en chorégraphie

About this book

This is the first manual to be published in France that describes English country dances. Called contredanses (also spelled contredance) in France. The manual describes motions for the feet and arms, how the dance corresponds to the music, and rules for performance. Additionally, floor plans and music for ten dances are given. Feuillet also suggests appropriate steps. Performed as a series of figures by a column of men facing a column of women, the English country dance was a popular ballroom dance during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. In 1710, this manual was translated into English as For the further improvement of dancing, by English dancer, dancing master and writer John Essex.