Quadrille: Difference between revisions

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A '''quadrille''' ('''quadrille de contre danse''') is a lively [[dance]] which involves four couples arranged in the shape of a square with each couple facing the center of the square. One pair of facing couples is called the ''head couples'', and the other pair is called the ''side couples''. A dance figure will often be performed first by the head couples and then repeated by the side couples.

The original French version used only two couples, but two more were eventually added to form the sides of the square; the sides and corners of the squares took turns performing the dance while the others rested.

''Quadrille'' was originally a four person card game, but came to refer to the dance by about [[1740]]. The dance itself is likely related to the [[cotillion]]s, and was introduced to France in about [[1760]], then to England in [[1808]].

The term ''Quadrillequadrille'' was originally a four person card game, but came to refer to the dance by about [[1740]]. The dance itself is likely related to the [[cotillion]]s, and was introduced to France in about [[1760]], then to England in [[1808]]. A woman named Miss Berry introduced the quadrille to England, beginning with the [[duke of Devonshire]]. It was popular among the elites by [[1813]], and was further refined in the next three years, eventually becoming a staple dance of the upper classes.

As the quadrille grew in popularity during the early [[19th century]], it evolved into forms that used elements of the [[waltz]], including [[Caledonians]] and [[Lancers]].

As the quadrille grew in popularity during the early [[19th century]], it evolved into forms that used elements of the [[waltz]], including [[Caledonians]] and [[Lancers]].

Terms used in the quadrille are mostly the same as those in [[ballet]], such as jeté, Chassé croisé, plié and arabesque