Quadrille

The Quadrille, Quadrille also à la cour is a French contra dance, which originated in Paris in the time of Napoleon I.. Very popular is the Quadrille at weddings and balls.

From Quadrille later the Cancan, whose popularity continued into the fifties of the 20th century was born. The real quadrille was danced to the wild rhythms of Offenbach, was neither beautiful nor structured. The rhythmic precision of this historic dance, which became known in the 1950s as Cancan by cinema and theater stages, developed only in the 20th century.

The quadrille is of eight people ( four couples ) dancing that two and two face each other in the square. Usually the dance is in five parts, with a gallop at the end. In England the dance before 1816 was introduced in Germany. In the form Les Lancers the dance form in Europe is around 1820 become known. A further development of the quadrille, the waltz quadrille, which ends with a waltz. The quadrille is a dance company. Until the 50s of last century, the quadrille dance was an integral part of classical dance classes.

On many balls it is customary to a midnight quadrille dancing in mass formation, eg also at the Munot balls on the Munot in Schaffhausen or the Vienna Kathrein dance.

In Viennese balls, as well as at the Vienna Opera Ball, the Quadrille Française is an integral part of the ball and is mounted as midnight quadrille (after midnight interlude or instead of) organized. In that form of quadrille every dance step during the dance hip (among others by Thomas Schäfer - Elmayer, or for example at the Vienna Opera Ball 2013 by Roman E. Svabek ). As required, the quadrille is repeated after midnight at a later time. The Quadrille Française is danced to Viennese balls exclusively for bat - Quadrille (op. 363) by Johann Strauss ( son).

The Square Dance and Dance Set is based on the principle of the quadrille. This dance form also happens again and again in folk dances, such as the so-called "colorful ", which are mainly delivered in Northern Germany.

In Lewis Carroll's novel Alice in Wonderland dancing two figures, the Griffin and the Mock Turtle, the " Lobster Quadrille ".

In 1852, new quadrilles are introduced, which are an alternative of " Quadrille français ". The " quadrille of lanciers " is the only one who has remained permanent. 1856 appears, it consists of five figures ( tiroirs, lignes, saluts, visites, lanciers ), and danced until the 2nd World War regularly. He is always danced here and there, especially as a dance show every year at the " Bal de l' X". The " quadrille du prince impérial ", the " quadrille of variétés parisiennes ", the " quadrille des dames ", the " quadrille russe " are other quadrilles, which have been known from 1852. They all require a special music.

Figures of the quadrille - Française

The six classic French figures of the Quadrille Française are:

In the Munich Française, the fourth tour omitted.

Figures of the quadrille of the Lancers

Music of the quadrille of the Lancers

Each character has their own music.