The word Galop has the usual significance in the most rapid pace of a horse and the word Gallopade referring to a similar movement in dancing, Gallopade is really the correct term. The term Galop came from the Waltz-like turning of the dance, which also has a version called a "Galop-waltz" (3/4).

  The origin of the Galop is Hungary (some say Germany). It was often danced after the volte and the country dances as a variant to the slow and solemn dances such as the Mazurka. Around 1815, the Galop began to be

recognized socially. It first appeared in Vienna and Berlin about the year 1822, was introduced at the Balls given in France (L.G. Brookes says 1800) by the Duchess de Berri (1798-1870) during the Carnival of 1829 as well as England in that same year. It was rendered famous by its termination of the masked Balls at the French Opera.

  The basic Galop has the lead moving forward and the follow backward, no turning in counter-clockwise fashion around the floor. Most Galops were written in 2/4 time and was basically a "Slide, Change, Slide -- Slide, Change, Slide, etc." But!, it is said that the steps resembled a "Valse à deux temps" (waltz.) The dance is done in basic ballroom position and travels counter-clockwise (Line-of-dance) around the floor, Basically consists of a Glissade with one foot and a Chasse', then alternate.   It has been said that there was no dance more exciting, or easy to learn, it required only a good ear to mark the time of the music. The chief requisite in this dance is to keep on one's feet, for there is great danger if once you fall that you will have those who follow over you really following over you... If you get my meaning!

   The Galop was often used in classic Ballet 's. The Galop is actually the forerunner of the Polkawith the Minuet usually followed a Galop and then a volte in dance order. The Berlin dance was a mix of the Polka and Galop dances.

Birth Place

Creation Date

Creator

Dance Type

Films / Movies

Television

Ballets / Stage

Publications

Other Related Dances of the time...

Country Dances

Polka

The Berlin

Gallop

Quadrille

Volta

Mazurka

Redowa

Waltz

Dancers, Choreographers etc.

Political

Cellarius

Gabrielle D. Korponay

Duchess de Berri (1798-1870)

Duchess de Berri

Rabb

William the Conqueror

Books, Magazine Articles on the dance...

Title

Author

Date

Publisher

Die Gallopade, wie sie getanzt werden soll

Franken, Joseph

1829

cologne

Philadelphia Assemblies

Balch, Thomas

1849?

-

Fashionable Dancers Casket

Durang, Charles (?)

1856

Fisher & Brother

Brookes on Modern Dancing

Brookes, L.G.

1867

n/a

Guide to Dancing (Notes on origin & Refining)

Lawson, Edward

c.1900s

n/a

Musicians

Singers

Poets / Writers

Bizet, Georges (1838-1875)

Hermann

Jullien

Labitzky

Lumbye

Offenbach

Parlott

Misc. Research Words that may be related ... to help your searches

Other...

The Basic step:
(Uses oldtime ballroom hold, lady starts right foot, man left, lady starts backward, man starts forward),
is simply a chassé with one foot as long as you continue one way, and chassé with the other foot when you turn. The step of the Gallopade in turning is the same as the step of the valse à deux temps, the difference only being in the accentuation, as it is danced to waltz music.

Charles Durang Description - 1856
"Is a dance now very much in vogue, from its being so very similar to the Valse à Deux Temps in appearance; but the music is extremely different, being in two-four time. Like the round dances, an unlimited number may join, and the step is somewhat similar to the Chassez. The gentleman commences with his left foot, and the lady with her right, and it is generally commenced with eight sliding steps, the gentleman keeping his left foot forward, and the lady her right; then half turn, and Vice Versà, the gentleman with right foot forward, and the lady with left, and so at pleasure. It may be varied by valsing. This dance is generally used as a finale, or, concludes the first part of a public ball. It is of a very exciting nature." ... end

Cartiers description - 1888:
"Slide left foot to second position (count one); draw right foot to first position, and almost at the same time slide left foot to second position (count two). Repeat the same by commencing with the right foot, counting one, two, and continue on alternately from right to left." ... end.