Friday 3 November 2017

Italian monfrina a dance from 1816

Monferrina is a lively Italian folk dance in 6/8 time named after the place of its origin, Montferrat, in the Italian region of Piedmont. It has spread from Piedmont throughout Northern Italy, in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and even into Switzerland. In Piedmont, it is usually accompanied by singing and it is danced by several couples.It became popular in England around 1800 under the names monfrina, monfreda, and manfredina.

The dance starts with two circular promenades by couples arm-in-arm using a lively march step. The individual couples then join both hands for a cross-step with bent knees. The dance often contains bows and mimed teasing and coaxing.

A version of this dance is found in TREASURES OF TERPSICHORE published in 1816 by the London dancing master Thomas Wilson.

Italian Monfrina.

Single Figure.
Cast off two couple and back again down the middle, up again, and right and
left.

Double Figure.
Chase round two couple back again promenade three couple and pousset two
~.
Or thus:

Set and change sides and back again whole figure at top, swing with right hand
round one couple, then with the left and hands six half round and back again.