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Gelosia

Also known as: 

Giloxia, Gielosia

Title translation: 
Jealousy
Source: 
Italian sources, c.1400-1520
Domenico
Guglielmo
Dance Type: 
ballo
Number of dancers: 
6
About this choreography: 
One used by many re-enactors, that I've known and taught for a long time. It's a mix of elements from several sources, and works well with most published music.
Choreography: 

Dance is for three couples. Each man stands on the left, holding his partner's left hand in his right. The couples are one behind the other with about 3 steps between.

SALTARELLO

  • 6 saltarelli (in quadernaria misura - slow, not syncopated)

MEN CHANGE PLACES

The first man weaves to the bottom and the other two men move up:

  • First man:
    • 3 contrapassi (LLL) going in front of his partner, to stand near the second woman, toward her right side
    • touch second woman's right hand, riverentia to her
  • Second man: saltarello (R) advancing to first man's original place, next to first woman
  • First man:
    • 3 contrapassi (LLL) going in front of the second woman, to stand near the third woman, toward her left side
    • touch third woman's right hand, riverentia to her
  • Third man: saltarello (R) advancing to second man's original place, next to second woman
  • First man: 2 pive going behind third woman, and taking place of third man at her left side

DANCE WITH NEW PARTNER

The couples take hands, each with their new partner. Then all dance together:

  • 8 tempi of pive (LRLR...)
  • Cast:
    • Front couple only: voltatonda, end facing your partner
    • Second couple only: voltatonda, end facing
    • Third couple only: voltatonda, end facing
  • Circling:
    • Take right hands with partner, change places with three sempii
    • Take left hand with partner, change places with three sempii

The dance is done two more times, until everyone has their original partner again.

 

 

Discussion: 

There are a number of alternatives indicated in various MSS (not a complete list)

  • dance with 6, 8 or 10 people or with "many couples" - repeat dance until all are back in original place
  • repeat dance with women leading
  • start with 6, 8 or 12 saltarelli
  • first man circles behind third woman with a saltarello, or a doppio, instead of 2 pive
  • 8 or 12 pive togerther, or 4 pive tedesche
  • great diversity in how the "casting" and "circling" figures are done, and with what steps

 

Condensed version, for calling: 

Three couples in a column

SALTARELLO

  • 6 saltarelli tedesci

MEN ARE FICKLE

First man weaves:

  • First man: 3 contrapassi to second woman, riverentia
  • Second man: saltarello to first woman
  • First man: 3 contrapassi to third woman
  • Third man: saltarello to second woman
  • First man: 2 pive behind third woman, into place

DANCE WITH NEW PARTNER

All together:

  • 8 pive 
  • Couples turn:
    • Front couple turns in place
    • Second couple turns
    • Third couple turns
  • Circling partner:
    •  right hands, change places with three sempii
    • left hands, three sempii

Dance twice more, until everyone has original partner. 

 

Music: 

My current favourite recording is that at on Ballare et Danzare, by Mediva. 

I've often used and enjoyed the Musica Subterranea version.

That on Forse che si forse che non repeats the phrase I use to change places (5 times altogether) which makes it less suitable for this choreography.

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