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ins_bellamira

Bellamira

1699 duple minor, longways
AABB version
Recording: bellamira-aabb--014.mp3.zip

 
 A1   4   1's lead down center, turn & face up
      4   1's lead back to place; as they approach their place, 
          they wheel around (man moving backwards) into place, 
          ending improper, facing down
 A2   4   Side right with neighbor (Sharp)
      4   2 hand turn with neighbor
 B1   4   Change places with partners, falling back on last 3 steps
      4   Man 2 cast up, followed by his partner, and move in above 1's while
          1's lead down; ending all proper & progressed
 B2   2   1st corners (original) change
      2   2nd corners change
      2   All clap and circle L 1/2
      2   All turn single

AAB version

Walsh 1731
Duglas and Helen Kennedy 1929

   
 A1   4   1's lead down center, turn & face up
      4   1's lead back to place; as they approach their place, 
          they wheel around (man moving backwards) into place, 
          ending improper, facing down
 A2   4   Side right with neighbor (Sharp)
      4   2 hand turn with neighbor
 B    2   1's cross and cast.  
      2   1st corners (original) change (Left diagonal)
      2   2nd corners change
      2   All clap and circle L 1/2

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZygWyM1Nepg
Recording: bellamira--044.mp3.zip

Notes: Bare Necessities is AAB, Breakfast at Fezziwhigs has AABB.

Bellamira is the title of a play by Sir Charles Sedley (1639-1701) produced in 1687 which was at best a succé de scandale for its coarseness and obscenity. Although its lot was based on that of the Roman poet Terence’s Eunuchus, it was widely supposed that the title character, a merchant's daughter turned courtesan, was based on Barbara Palmer, Ist Duchess of Cleveland (1640- 1709). Perhaps the most controversial of Charles I's mistresses because of her unrepentant Catholicism, she was a tall voluptuous, violet-eyed beauty: She bore the King five children, and when she lost her place to the younger Louise de Kérouaille, the King dealt generously with her and their children. She took other lovers as well, including the rope-dancer Jacob Hall (of “Jacob fall's Jig?) and the young John Churchill later to rise to fame as England's greatest general, whose career and fortunes gave rise to many more dances.
Original direction in A2 to “side with foot and elbow” is a famous conundrum no interpreter has yet quite resolved, and “The Balk,” identical word for word with “Bellamira,” does nothing to unpick the puzzle.

ins_bellamira.txt · Last modified: 2024/07/29 19:08 by mar4uscha