Il Ballarino
By Fabritio Caroso, 1581
Translated by Lady Clara
Beaumont (Rebecca Kletnieks)
This
project is a first-draft translation from Italian to English of
Fabritio
Caroso’s ‘Il Ballarino,’ a dance manual published in Italy in 1581. What I am presenting here is a direct,
word-for-word translation made using a transcription created by Lord
Orlando
De’Medici. The dictionary I used while
translating was ‘Queen Anna’s New World of Words,’ by John Florio,
published in
London in 1611.
‘Il
Ballarino’ was written as two books, the first being a list of steps
and
instructions for performing them, and the second being instructions and
music
for dances using those steps. Both
books are included in this translation.
I have done my best to include the entire text, including the
author’s
discussions and poetry. For the poetry,
I have tried to stay as close to the original meaning as possible,
rather than
attempting to stay true to the rhyme scheme or meter.
Original rhyme scheme is included for anyone who might be
interested.
Over
the next year, I intend to make a second draft of this translation
available to
our Barony, and the Society as a whole, by refining it and publishing
it online. In the meantime, many of the
steps and
dances have been reconstructed and taught at the Barony
of Carolingia’s Accademia della Danza and at dance
practice.
Since this is a work in progress, questions, comments, corrections, and
suggestions are always welcome - I can be contacted at
clara.beaumont@comcast.net.
Many thanks to Master Justin du Coeur for his patience and assistance
during the completion of this project.
Book 1 - Introduction and Steps
Book 2 - Dances
Dance Reconstructions