Orchesography; or, The art of dancing by characters and demonstrative figures.
Subtitle: Wherein the whole art is explain'd; with compleat tables of all steps us'd in dancing, and rules for the motions of the arms, &c. Whereby any person (who understands dancing) may of himself learn all manner of dances.
By: Being an exact and just translation from the French of Monsieur Feuillet. By John Weaver, dancing master.
Contributors: Weaver, John, 1673-1760.; Isaac, Mr.
Edition: 2d ed. N.B. To this edition is added, the Rigadoon, the Louver, & the Brittagne, in characters, with the contents, or index: the whole engraven ... by Mr. Isaac ...
Publisher: Printed for, & sold by Ino. Walsh ...
Published: 1715
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 120
Subjects: Dance -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. -- Early works to 1800.; Dance music -- 18th century.; Dance Instruction and Technical Manuals.; Notation for Dance.; Music for Dance.
Genres: Handbooks, manuals, etc.; Early works to 1800.
Other titles: Orchesography; Art of dancing by characters and demonstrative figures; Art of dancing
Description: Originally published in Paris by Raoul-Auger Feuillet under the title Chorégraphie ... (1700), this translation by English dancing master and theoretician John Weaver is dedicated to famed choreographer, Mr. Issac. The manual details a dance notation system that indicates placement of the feet and basic leg movements. Changes of body direction and numerous ornamentations of the legs and arms are also part of the system. Based on tract drawings, the system traces the floor pattern of the dance. Bar lines in the dance score correspond to the bar lines in the accompanying music, located above the notated diagrams.
Notes: Engraved throughout.
The Rigadoon, the Louver, and the Brittagne, by Mr. Isaac (p. 101-120) consist of diagrams; at head of each diagram, the tune for the dance figure is represented.
Bound in mottled calf, panelled, with gold tooling.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as facsimile page images.