A Treatise on the Art of Dancing

audiobook

A Treatise on the Art of Dancing

by Giovanni-Andrea Gallini

EN·~3 hours·17 chapters

Chapters

17 total
1

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A. TREATISE - ON THE - ART - OF - DANCING.

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By Giovanni-Andrea Gallini.

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LONDON: - Printed for the AUTHOR; - And Sold by R. Dodsley, in Pall-Mall; T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, in the Strand; J. Dixwell, in St. Martin’s-Lane, near Charing-Cross; - AND - At Mr. Bremner’s Music Shop, opposite Somerset-House, in the Strand. - MDCCLXXII.

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THE - TABLE - OF

29:29
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A. TREATISE - ON THE - ART of DANCING.

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OF - DANCING - In General.

29:41
8

OF - SUNDRY REQUISITES, - FOR - PERFECTION OF THE - ART - OF - DANCING.

38:34
9

SOME - THOUGHTS - On the Utility of - Learning to Dance, - And Especially upon the - MINUET.

32:19
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A. Summary Account - Of various kinds of - DANCES - In different Parts of the WORLD.

0:09

Description

An eighteenth‑century master of movement offers a thoughtful survey of dance as both art and exercise. The writer adopts a modest, grateful voice, aiming to dispel the notion that dancing is frivolous and to show its place among genteel pursuits. The opening pages set the tone, explaining the practical need for clear printing and the author’s desire to share the craft without vanity.

The treatise then turns to the roots of dance, tracing ancient rituals from the Jews to the Greeks and Egyptians, and highlighting how early societies wove movement into religious ceremony. The author argues that dancing strengthens the body, refines taste, and even shapes the gestures of effective speakers, citing the likes of Quintilian and Scaliger. Interlaced with contemporary observations, the work balances scholarly references with practical advice for anyone curious about the social and health benefits of graceful motion.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~3 hours (202K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Library of Congress)

Release date

2008-02-19

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Giovanni-Andrea Gallini

Giovanni-Andrea Gallini

1728–1805

An Italian-born dancer and impresario who helped shape London’s 18th-century stage, he brought together performance, criticism, and theatre management in one remarkable career. He is also remembered for an early English-language book that treats dance as a serious expressive art.

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