Volta

What is Volta?

The volta is a historical partner dance that gained popularity during the later Renaissance era. Dancers moved in a close embrace, performing a signature figure that involved turning and lifting one partner. The movement could be directed to either the right or left side. Although often linked with the galliard through shared musical styles, the volta stood apart due to its intimate physical contact. At the time of its emergence, the closeness of the hold and the nature of the lift led some observers to label the dance as risqué and morally questionable.

Where does Volta come from?

This dance emerged in the later Renaissance period, primarily within European courts. While it reached the court of Elizabeth I in England, specific records of her dancing it are likely myths popularized by modern media. The dance was known under various names, including La volta in Italian and la volte in French. Its origins are tied to the social dances of the aristocracy, though exact birthplaces remain unclear in the sources provided.

How is Volta danced?

Dancers began with steps resembling the galliard before transitioning into a closed position. The leader held his partner below her waist with one hand and placed the other on her back, while she rested her hand on his shoulder. They stepped forward simultaneously, springing onto their outside feet. The follower then leaped into the air, supported by the leader’s hands and thigh. They completed roughly three-quarters of a turn per measure before landing together. This sequence repeated for several measures before returning to an open formation.

The music of Volta

The volta was performed to music closely related to the galliard. Specific rhythmic structures or instruments are not detailed in the available sources, but the tempo allowed for the springing and lifting actions described in period instructions. The music facilitated the transition between the initial galliard-like steps and the subsequent lifted turns.

Costume and what is carried

Period attire included clothing typical of the Renaissance era. Men wore doublets and hose, while women wore gowns with structured bodices. The term 'busk' refers to a stiff support in the front of a woman's gown, which influenced how the leader could place his hand during the dance hold. No specific masks or props were used beyond the partners themselves.

When and where Volta is danced

The dance was performed at royal courts and among the aristocracy. It served as entertainment for nobility and was sometimes used in theatrical portrayals of historical figures. Despite its courtly setting, the intimate nature of the dance caused moral debates among contemporary observers who found the physical closeness inappropriate.

Styles of Volta

Spelling varied across regions, appearing as La volta, Volte, la volte, or levolto. Instructions by Thoinot Arbeau provide the most detailed account of the movement, suggesting a standardized technique despite regional name differences. Modern reconstructions vary in accuracy, with some film depictions being historically precise while others are entirely fictional.

What Volta means

The volta has been featured in numerous films and television series, often inaccurately. Movies like *Elizabeth* and *Shakespeare in Love* depict the dance, though some productions confuse it with other historical forms. The dance remains a subject of interest for historians studying Renaissance social customs and the evolution of partner dancing.

Questions people ask about Volta

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Volta (dance) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data
• Videos of Volta on YouTubeSearch results, not chosen by EveryGhunghroo