"To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love."
- Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)
As I was cleaning and organizing today, I found one of my prized possessions,
this wonderful 1834 sheet music for a quadrille dance from
"Rossini's admired Opera, La Gazza Ladra." Isn't
the writing lovely?
The whole piece is so well-preserved, probably because of the high rag
content of the paper. It feels quite fabric-like.
The whole piece is so well-preserved, probably because of the high rag
content of the paper. It feels quite fabric-like.
Inked in the corner in a very lovely style is the owner's name,
Mary W. Alsop, April 15, 1834.
Was she a lovely young woman, accomplished but unattached?
Or a spinster who lost her beau before they could be married and never loved another?
I wonder...
"La Gazza Ladra" is Italian for "The Thieving Magpie,"
a very famous opera according to my composer husband.
This piece was arranged for the piano forte:
which was smaller than a piano and had fewer keys. The sound was softer and "bouncier" as there was no way to sustain the sound of the notes with pedals as on a modern piano. Can't you just see sweet Mary sitting at the piano forte in her rose satin gown plunking happily?
Wikipedia describes the quadrille as a very intricate dance, a precursor to
the square dance, with specific forms for each of its five parts.
Part 1: Le Pantelon, or "The trousers" (always in 2/4 or 6/8):
Part 2: Ete or "Summer" (always in 2/4):
Part 3: Poule or "Hen" (always in 6/8):
Part 4: La Pastourelle or "The Shepherd Girl" (always in 2/4):
Part 5: Finale (always in 2/4):
Of course named in French, the language of the upper class.
a very famous opera according to my composer husband.
This piece was arranged for the piano forte:
which was smaller than a piano and had fewer keys. The sound was softer and "bouncier" as there was no way to sustain the sound of the notes with pedals as on a modern piano. Can't you just see sweet Mary sitting at the piano forte in her rose satin gown plunking happily?
Wikipedia describes the quadrille as a very intricate dance, a precursor to
the square dance, with specific forms for each of its five parts.
Part 1: Le Pantelon, or "The trousers" (always in 2/4 or 6/8):
Part 2: Ete or "Summer" (always in 2/4):
Part 3: Poule or "Hen" (always in 6/8):
Part 4: La Pastourelle or "The Shepherd Girl" (always in 2/4):
Part 5: Finale (always in 2/4):
Of course named in French, the language of the upper class.
The instructions for dancing
the quadrille are written at the bottom of each page:
Can't you just imagine the beautiful clothes, polished faces,
and the rustling of petticoats and tapping of boots as dancers turn and move in and about,
longing eyes gazing in a crowded room.
Are you in the mood for dancing yet?
(Dancer stamp from the Jane Austen collection of Oxford Impressions.)
This week I'm linking up with
4 comments:
Laura, that sheet music is a precious gem! Love the different fonts. I so felt my toe tapping as I read this fun post. Cute card too!
hugs,
Jann
I love the sheet music! What a wonderful, creative post you have! New Follower too!
Jody
What a treasure and such a romantic gift for your husband!
Hi Laura
Such a wonderful post and then drawing to the end of your post that beautiful card.
It is such a merry stamp that your sentiment could not be more perfect.
Wishes
Lynne
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