This reconstruction is based on the 1967 Broude Brothers facsimile of Il Ballarino. Facsimiles from Il Ballarino are available from Gregory Blount’s website.
What follows is the original text of the dance – translated into English by Talan ap Gryffyd.
This Cascarda is primarily an encounter and begins with a Riuerenza Minima; then they form a wheel and do four Seguiti spezzati, and four Trabuchetti, with three more Seguiti spezzati, that is, two flank from behind, and a face to the left, and the Cadence to the right.
The second time, the man will make just two Passi Presti forward, and two Trabuchetti, and a Seguiti spezzati to the left, and the Cadence, the same again. Do the same thing again to the opposite; then the man performs the Fe to the right to the lady, and does two Seguiti spezzati, and two Passi presti, and the Cadence, changing place: do the same again performing the Fe to the left, beginning with the right foot, everyone returning to their place.
In the third section, the ladies will do the same that the men did: first perform the Fe in its entirety to the right and then the left, and they will make all the aforesaid steps in the second section.
The fourth and last time they will make two Fioretti a pie pari, with two Passi presti flanking behind them, and Seguita semidoppio to the left, beginning with the left foot: Do the same beginning with the right foot: after that they will do one forward, then they will make two Passi presti, and they will make two strokes with the left foot behind, they will make two Seguiti spezzati flanking to them, then at the end they will do two reprises, and two Trabuchetti, with one Seguito spezzato to the left, and the Cadence with encounter to the right, and making the Riuerenza in counter time, finally the Cascarda.
Converted into a common SCA tabulation format, the dance goes like this...
| Section | Count | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Verse 1 | 1-4 5-12 13-16 | Riuerenza Minima Four Spezzati in a wheel, turning clockwise Facing partner, four Trabuchetti |
| Chorus 1 | 1-4 5-8 9-12 13-16 | Flank backward with two Spezzati, left foot first Turn left in one Spezzato and Cadenza Flank backward with two Spezzati, right foot first Turn right in one Spezzato and Cadenza |
| Verse 2 Lord’s Solo | * 1-2 3-4 5-8 9-10 11-12 13-16 | (The Lord dances this part alone) Two Passi toward partner (left foot first) Two Trabuchetti (left then right) Turn left in one Spezzato and Cadenza Two Passi toward partner (right foot first) Two Trabuchetti (right then left) Turn right in one Spezzato and Cadenza |
| Chorus 2 | 1-4 5-8 9-12 13-16 | Take right hands and wheel a half turn clockwise in two Spezzati Release hands and take two Passi presti turning back ccw and Cadenza Take left hands and wheel a half turn ccw in two Spezzati Release hands and two Passi presti back cw and Cadenza |
| Verse 3 Lady’s Solo | 1-16 | Same as Verse 2, except the Lady dances instead of the Lord |
| Chorus 3 | 1-16 | Same as Chorus 2 |
| Verse 4 | 1-2 3-4 5-8 9-10 11-12 13-16 | Two Fioretti a pie pari (left side first) Flank backward with two Passi presti (left foot first) Turn left with Seguiti Semmiodoppio (left foot first) Two Fioretti a pie pari (right side first) Flank backward with two Passi presti (right foot first) Turn right with Seguiti Semmiodoppio (right foot first) |
| Chorus 4 | 1-2 3-4 5-8 9-10 11-12 13-16 * | Two Passi presti (going forward) Stomp twice with the left foot, striking behind the right foot Flank backwards with two Spezzati Two Ripresa to the left Two Trabuchetti, left then right Turn left in one Spezzato and Cadenza Riuerenza (as last chord fades) |
Naturally, you'll need to know what some of those 16th-century Italian terms mean if you want to be able to perform the dance.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Passi | Single steps |
| Spezzati | A spezzato is similar to a modern step-ball-change. To perform a left spezzato, step forward with your left foot, bring your right toe up to (or even under) your left heel, and then step out again with your left foot. |
| Trabuchetti | Weight shifts from the left foot to the right. |
| Riuerenza Minima | A riuerenza is a bow. To perform a 16th century Italian bow, place your left foot behind your right and bend your knees, keeping your back straight. A riuerenza minima is a four-count riuerenza. |
| Cadenza | A cadenza is basically a small, vertical hop, switching which foot is in the lead while you're in the air. The direction in the instruction (e.g. “Cadenza right”) indicates which foot should be in the lead when you finish. |
| Seguiti Semmiodoppio | Two passi immediately followed by one spezzato. |
| Fioretti a pie pari | Often called "bells", this step is basically a swinging motion of the feet. If starting to the left, swing your left leg out and back, then swing your right leg out and back. |
I dance Laccio to Warwick Consort’s arrangement of the music from Ansteorra Kingdom Dance and Music 2004.
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