Writings on Dance Theory by Gasparo Angiolini

Gasparo Angiolini (1731-1803) was the most important dance theorist and dance reformer of the 18-th century along with Jean-Georges Noverre. Particularly in collaboration with Christoph Willibald Gluck and the progressive intellectual circle around the count Durazzo in Vienna, he became the leading exponent of the ballet reform which he promoted decisively not only as a choreographer, but also as a solo dancer in his own creations. Like Noverre who published in 1760 his epoch-making Lettres sur la danse, et sur les ballets, Angiolini as well authored a series of important dance-theoretical writings at nearly the same time. Some of these writings caused a controversy with Noverre and an argument concerning priority. If Noverre was much more influential during his lifetime and far beyond even up until today, this is due to the Europewide fame of his brilliantly, amusing and cleverly written Lettres sur la danse, which were published all over Europe, partly in updated re-editions and translations up to the beginning of nineteenth century. Noverre`s writings also later on proved to be a most stimulating basis for various discourses concerning significant problems of dance and art theory (concepts of body, movement, mise en scène, aesthetic conceptions etc.). Unfortunately Angiolini`s ideas were distributed just among a rather small group of recipients, since they were published in a number of smaller pamphlets, edited over a longer time period. They have been handed down just in a few copies. Their rather limited distribution during the author`s lifetime corresponds with the perception and qualification of Angiolini as a dance theorist and reformer in later times. A detailed investigation of Angiolini`s work in the European cultural context is long overdue. It can be only achieved on the basis of a reliable critical edition of all of his dance-theoretical writings. Hence, the project Writings on Dance Theory by Gasparo Angiolini aims for a complete registration of all of Angiolini`s writings, their evaluation and analysis and the preparation of a critical edition in original languages (Italian, French) with translations into German and English. Furthermore there will be compiled an annotated catalogue of all of Angiolini`s ballets. Only by means of an edition of scholarly format the evaluation of Angiolini`s historic achievements, particularly during the many years of his working in Vienna, as well as the Europewide influence of his balletstyle will be possible, and on the other hand his most interesting dance theories might stimulate even contemporary dance theory and practice. The projected edition is connected to the momentarily increasing interest in `re-construction` of historical dance and theatre forms and styles. It opens up a central chapter of dance and theatre history. This is a significant contribution to a new figuration of knowledge arround the many facets of dance in past and presence.

Gasparo Angiolini (1731-1803) was the most important dance theorist and dance reformer of the 18-th century along with Jean-Georges Noverre. Particularly in collaboration with Christoph Willibald Gluck and the progressive intellectual circle around the count Durazzo in Vienna, he became the leading exponent of the ballet reform which he promoted decisively not only as a choreographer, but also as a solo dancer in his own creations. Like Noverre who published in 1760 his epoch-making Lettres sur la danse, et sur les ballets, Angiolini as well authored a series of important dance-theoretical writings at nearly the same time. Some of these writings caused a controversy with Noverre and an argument concerning priority. If Noverre was much more influential during his lifetime and far beyond even up until today, this is due to the Europewide fame of his brilliantly, amusing and cleverly written Lettres sur la danse, which were published all over Europe, partly in updated re-editions and translations up to the beginning of nineteenth century. Noverre`s writings also later on proved to be a most stimulating basis for various discourses concerning significant problems of dance and art theory (concepts of body, movement, mise en scène, aesthetic conceptions etc.). Unfortunately Angiolini`s ideas were distributed just among a rather small group of recipients, since they were published in a number of smaller pamphlets, edited over a longer time period. They have been handed down just in a few copies. Their rather limited distribution during the author`s lifetime corresponds with the perception and qualification of Angiolini as a dance theorist and reformer in later times. A detailed investigation of Angiolini`s work in the European cultural context is long overdue. It can be only achieved on the basis of a reliable critical edition of all of his dance-theoretical writings. Hence, the project Writings on Dance Theory by Gasparo Angiolini aims for a complete registration of all of Angiolini`s writings, their evaluation and analysis and the preparation of a critical edition in original languages (Italian, French) with translations into German and English. Furthermore there will be compiled an annotated catalogue of all of Angiolini`s ballets. Only by means of an edition of scholarly format the evaluation of Angiolini`s historic achievements, particularly during the many years of his working in Vienna, as well as the Europewide influence of his balletstyle will be possible, and on the other hand his most interesting dance theories might stimulate even contemporary dance theory and practice. The projected edition is connected to the momentarily increasing interest in "re-construction" of historical dance and theatre forms and styles. It opens up a central chapter of dance and theatre history. This is a significant contribution to a new figuration of knowledge arround the many facets of dance in past and presence.