In 1700, in a treatise entitled Choregraphie, Feuillet published the first notation for dance. In 1706, encouraged by the popularity of English country dancing in France, he published a collection of 32 'contredances' which also contains an explanation of a simplified form of this notation suitable for country dances.
Among the dances are several also to be found in editions of The Dancing Master, including 'La Valantine' which was first published as 'Valentine's Day' in the 1679 supplement to the sixth edition. Feuillet's simplified form of notation continued to be used in published collections of French contredanses until the late 18th century.
Raoul Auger Feuillet, Recüeil de contredances mises en choregraphie. Paris, 1706. British Library, C.119.a.5. Copyright © The British Library Board
Raoul Auger Feuillet, Recüeil de contredances mises en choregraphie. Paris, 1706. British Library, C.119.a.5. Copyright © The British Library Board
Contact
Music Collections
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7412 7772
Fax: +44 (0)20 7412 7751
E-mail: Ask the Reference Team
