La Spagna

 



This is a relatively simple Italian Bassa Danza. It is uncharacteristic in that it begins the dance, after the opening Riverenza and Continenzas, on the right foot instead of the left. The dance is done in a line of couples, as for a pavane, with the ladies on the right.

 


Part 1

1

RvR

Riverenza on the right foot.


2

CnR CnL

Two continenze, right then left.


3

SR SL

Two singles.


4 - 7

DR DL DR DL

Four doubles.


8

RpB

Reprise backwards.

 


Part 2

9

SL SR

Two singles

Note that the dance changes back to the left foot at this point.

10 - 11

DL DR

Two doubles

 



Drop hands, then turn to face your partner, and take their right hand in your right hand.1

 



12 - 13

RpL RpR

Move sideways to the left (away from your partner) then back towards your partner.

 



Turn back to face the front of the line, joining hands again.

 


Part 3

14

SL SR

Two singles


15 – 16

DL DR

Two doubles2.


17 - 18

RpT RpB

Drop hands for this sequence, ripresa turning, then a ripresa backwards.

 


1This is my best guess based on doing this dance. This applies to all of these Bassa Danze with "turn and face, then riprese" sections in them like this (eg: Reale, Pietosa). It is quite a common theme in the basse danze and balli of the 15th Century, and I have also used this in the riprese - turn - riprese sections in a few of the balli.

2“and one contra doppio turning backwards on the right foot”. Your guess is as good as mine! I always dance the second doppio moving forwards to avoid confusion with the riprese to follow.