 Mastro da Ballo, 1614.
Author: Santucci, Ercole Published: 2004 A facsimile reproduction of an early 17th century manuscript dance manual by a little known Italian dancing master, Ercole Santucci of Perugia. The manuscript is divided into three treatises: treatise one contains 214 'rules for beginners who wish to learn to dance; treatise two consists of a description of the basic gagliarda step, done in twelve different ways; and treatise three is devoted to gagliarda variations of varying lengths, followed by ten dances, of which Santucci claims only one as his own. Although there is a detailed historical introduction and commentary, by Barbara Sparti, the work is neither transliterated nor translated: as the introduction states 'the script is easily readable, and interest in the manuscript considerable' so 'it was decided to make the Mastro da ballo available as soon as possible by publishing it in facsimile'. |
