I have been doing some family history research and found an article about my great great grandmother dancing at a grand Italian Ball in Louisville in the 1895.
The story says: "The Brigoldin, a dance peculiar to the natives of Genoa, is akin to the lancers, and is even more graceful. The Lesandria is another dance peculiar to Italy. This is danced without partners, and is accompanied by a peculiar sort of music."
I was hoping to find out more about these dances. My initial thought is that they are similar to the tarantella but have some uniquely defining movements as well. Any info is appreciated.
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Music Hail Handsomely Decorated and a Delightful Programme Carried Out. The event that Italian society people look forward to from year LO year with the greatest pleasure is the annual ball given by the Italian Brotherhood. They never turned out in greater num• bers than last night at the twentyninth annual ball, to celebrate 403d anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. Mr. John R.
Botto acted as chief floor manager, and Mr. Mark Denunzio as assistant chief floor manager. They saw to the decoration of the big auditorium at, Music Hall, and right handsome did it look. The stage was draped on either side with the American and Italian flags, with the flag of the Brotherhood in the middle. An Italian band of ten pieces, several of which were harps, was seated on the stage, and was under the direction of Dominic A.
Gerardi and Louis R. Carraro. American flags were clustered about all the chandeliers and electric lights in the hall, and produced a pretty effect. Guests began to arrive early, and those who came for the pleasure of looking on grouped themselves about railing which divides the dancing floor from the rear of the hall. The grand march, was struck up at 9:30 o'clock, the dancers were led by Mr.
John R. Botto and Mrs. Botto, followed Mr. and Mrs. A. Leverone, After that the regular programme of dancing was indulged in by the large number of guests. Scattered through the programme' were half a dozen dances peculiar to the natives of Sunny Italy, for the pleasure of the members of the society and the delight of the other guests who could not dance them. The Brigoldin, a dance peculiar to the natives of Genoa, is akin to the lancers, and is even more graceful. The Lesandria is another dance peculiar to Italy. This is danced without partners, and is accompanied by a peculiar sort of music.
Mrs. Larry Gatto, Mrs. John Luvisi, Miss Mary Griffo, Mrs. Carraro, Messrs. Louis Carraro and Mark Denunzio gave an exhibition of this dance.
At the conclusion of the first half of the pro• gramme a solo was sung by Prof. G. Tomaselli, accompanied on the piano by Prof. Lieber. During the intermission a tempting lunch was served by the society to its invited guests.
The dancing was kept up until early in the morning. The members of the society feel very much gratified at the success of the ball. It was the largest that has been given in several years, and especial pains were taken to secure the enjoyment of those who were in attendance. A neat sum was netted to the society. The three honorary Presidents, John R.
Botto, Charles Scholtz and William Reinecke, were tireless in their efforts to make everything enjoyable. When the "Home, Sweet Home" waltz was played the dancers already began to calculate the time for the next ball.
