However, Wilson published a couple of dance manuals in 1816, which both included the Opera Reel: a 2nd edition of The Treasures of Terpsichore; or, a companion for the ball-room. Being a collection of all the most popular English Country Dances..., as well as A Companion to the Ball Room, containing a choice collection of the most original and admired Country Dances, Reels, Hornpipes, Waltzes etc. Since there are a few options regarding figures (for some reason Wilson's figures did not match between publications from the same year), I will provide figures for each.
Opera Reel #1 (Treasures of Terpsichore)
A: 1st couple cast off two couple (4 bars) and back again (4 bars).
B: Couples set and change sides (4 bars), and back again (4 bars).
C: 1st couple lead down the middle, up again (4 bars) and allemande (4 bars).
- The lead down and back is a short one, completed in 4 bars, so don't go for a long walk down the middle of the set! There isn't much music to complete this figure.
- 1st couple leads back to 2nd place (2s move up) to progress.
- The allemande, according to Wilson, is a back-to-back. This figure features 2 dancers rotating around each other, first crossing right shoulders, taking a step to the right and then a step backwards. To perform this figure correctly, always face the same direction - there are no extra turns.
** Wilson's chassé is a skip change. I call the forwards skip a skip change to differentiate between the sideways chassé (or slipping step). If you do the back-to-back with a skip change and jeté assemblé, I would recommend starting the skip change forward with the left foot.
Here's a little video demonstrating a back-to-back:
D: Hands 6 round and back (8 bars).
Opera Reel #2 (Treasure of Terpsichore) - this one was animated on Regencydances.org.
A: 1st couple cross over two couple and lead up one (8 bars).
- 1st couple crosses the set by right shoulders and casts into 2nd (2s move up), cross by right shoulders again and cast below the 3rd couple.
- Take inside hands and lead up to 2nd place.
B: Set 3 across and 3 in your places (8 bars).
- Regencydances.org recommends 1st couple turns 1/4 by right hand into lines across the set and all set, then 1st couple turns 1/4 by the left hand back to place and all set.
C: 1st couple lead through bottom and top (8 bars).
D: 1st couple swing corners (8 bars).
- 1st couple turns partner partway by right hand, then turns right-hand corner by left hand; turns partner partway by right hand, turn left-hand corner by left hand. This motion is similar to the ladies chain in Paine's 4th Set (Le Pantalon).
Opera Reel #3 (Companion to the Ballroom)
A: 1st and 2nd couples set and change sides (4 bars), and back again (4 bars).
B: 1st couple lead down the middle, up again (4 bars) and allemande (4 bars).
C: Set contrary corners (8 bars).
D: Hands 6 round and back again (8 bars).
Opera Reel #4 (Companion to the Ballroom)
A: 1st lady leads down 2nd man (4 bars); 1st man leads down 2nd lady (4 bars).
- This is a short lead down for each couple, not a long walk down the middle of the set.
C: Set 3 across and 3 in your places (8 bars).
D: Double Triangle (8 bars).
- This double triangle figure may seem odd at first, but maybe it will help to think of it this way: 1st couple crosses the set between the top and bottom couples (man going down the set, woman going up the set) and doing a figure 8 on the opposite side, but instead of ending on the man's side, you cross back to your place after going around the 2nd person.
- The woman goes in between top and bottom men, up around the top man, through the middle on the man's side and down around the bottom man, and then back to place.
- The man goes in between top and bottom ladies, down around the bottom woman, through the middle on the ladies' side and up around the top woman, and then back to place.
Opera Reel #5 (Companion to the Ballroom)
A: Hands 3 on the ladies' side (4 bars); hands 3 on the man's side (4 bars).
B: Whole pousette 1.5x to progress to 2nd (8 bars).
- 1st man pulls, 2nd man pushes.
C: 1st couple swing corners (8 bars).
D: 1st couple lead outsides (8 bars).
- Susan de Guardiola at Capering and Kickery has written a post on reconstructing this figure.
- 1st couple take both hands and move to E, then D (almost like a pousette) in 4 bars, then does a 2-hand turn to place in 4 bars.
I know there are a lot of different versions listed here. Once Mr. Baert releases the figures, one of these should be among them, and I will update this page to let you know which set of figures from 1816 he will be using. If any of these other reconstructions appeal, maybe you could try them out with an English Country Dance/Regency dance group for fun!
That's all for now - until next time... Happy dancing!
We're delighted to discover your blog. We'll probably try out Opera Reel soon, although we'll be working from one of the American dance manuals which has a set of figures for the tune. We've found Wilson to be very useful in understanding late 18th century dance because of the clarity of his diagrams, but our interest leans towards country dances and cotillions as they were danced in America.
ReplyDeleteYou may be interested in looking at the research in 18th century dance which we've done, at http://www.dancehistoryalive.com/blog/
Jacob and Nancy