Volta
Also known as: Volte, Turning Galliard
History & Cultural Context
The Volta was a leaping, turning couple dance documented in late 16th-century Italy and France. It is treated by period and modern sources as a variant or relative of the galliard, sharing its triple meter and elevated steps. Thoinot Arbeau described it in his Orchesographie (1588), and Italian dance masters Fabritio Caroso (Il Ballarino, 1581; Nobilta di Dame, 1600) and Cesare Negri (Le gratie d'amore, 1602) recorded related courtly repertoire. The defining figure is a turn in which the leader assists the follower's lift, supporting her with one hand at the hip and the other below the busk of her bodice. Contemporary commentators objected to the close hold; Arbeau himself recorded that some considered it "lewd and unchaste." The dance is documented at the French court (often attributed to its introduction under Catherine de Medici, c.1556) and at the English court, where Queen Elizabeth I is reported to have danced it. References to the Volta in dance manuals and contemporary commentary taper off through the first decades of the 17th century.
Sources: Britannica "La volta"; Stanford Social Dance "Late Renaissance Dance"; Wikipedia "Volta (dance)" per Arbeau Orchesographie 1588; Early Music Muse "The scandalous la volta".
Cultural Significance
The Volta is one of the most-discussed dances of the late Renaissance, primarily because of its close partner hold and the lift figure, both of which contemporary moralists criticized. It is documented at French court balls (where it is associated with the introduction of Italian repertoire under Catherine de Medici) and at the English court under Elizabeth I. The frequency of references in dance manuals and contemporary commentary declines through the first half of the 17th century; sources do not attribute that decline to any single cause.
Peak Popularity
Signature Figures
- Lift
- Turn
- Caper
- Greyve
Notable Codifiers
- Fabrizio Caroso
- Cesare Negri
Dance Lineage
Track Your Volta Progress
Practice Volta figures between lessons with Figure Focus — step-by-step breakdowns, floor diagrams, and progress tracking. Free to use.
What to Wear
Attire guidance for Volta and other Historic Renaissance Court dances. Each card below is sized to the moment — class, practice, social, or competition — because the wardrobe shifts as the stakes do.
Reading the cards
In Class
Comfortable shoes with low heels, regular practice wear. Some instructors encourage long skirts for women to practice managing fabric.
Social Dancing
Renaissance faires and historical dance balls: period costume expected (gowns, doublets). Academic reconstruction groups range from full costume to smart casual.
Competition
Performance-only; full Renaissance period costume for staged demonstrations.
Shoes
Flat or low-heeled soft shoes. Renaissance dance shoes were essentially soft leather slippers. Modern equivalent: jazz shoes or soft ballet shoes with leather soles.
In Practice
Long skirt practice teaches fabric management; many groups keep one practice skirt available even for participants who normally wear pants.
Price Range
- Budget: Soft ballet shoes or jazz shoes $30–80; long practice skirt $40–100.
- Mid: Reproduction Renaissance footwear $120–250; commissioned period gowns $300–1,000.
- Premium: Hand-stitched reproduction costume $1,500–6,000+.
Quick Tips
- •Suede-soled shoes allow controlled sliding and pivoting — essential for most partner dances.
- •Avoid rubber soles on dance floors; they grip too much and can cause knee injuries.
- •Bring a separate pair of clean shoes for the dance floor to keep it in good condition.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural & Historical Context
Volta emerged from Italy/France during the 1560s—1620s. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.
Formative Influences
Codifiers & Standardizers:
Fabrizio Caroso, Cesare Negri
Signature Movement Vocabulary:
Lift, Turn, Caper, Greyve
Primary Source Documents
The LODance Library contains original syllabi, instructional materials, and published references for dance technique and history. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.
Last reviewed: May 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.
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More in Historic Renaissance Court
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Galliard
The Galliard was a fast, athletic Renaissance dance featuring high kicks, jumps, and intricate footwork. Typically paired with the Pavane, it provided exciting contrast and showcased individual skill and virtuosity.
Branle
The Branle was a French group dance featuring side-to-side stepping in formations, often performed as a processional or chain. It became a versatile social dance popular across all social classes.
Almain
The Almain was a stately Renaissance couple dance of German origin, featuring double steps and turning figures. It became popular in courts across Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries.