There were only four or five ladies of the highest rank; all the others, who were more or less pretty, were favourites of the prince, all his days a great lover of the fair sex. Two of these ladies danced the Forlana, and the Elector was much amused in making me dance it also. I have already said that the Forlana is a Venetian dance, and one of the most energetic kind imaginable.

…

The nymph took her place, I did the same, and we danced the forlana six times without stopping. I was in perspiration and out of breath, for the forlana is the most violent of our national dances; but my beautiful partner stood near me without betraying the slightest fatigue, and seemed to challenge me to a new performance.

So does Casanova describe the traditional and wild Venetian courtship dance in his memoirs (for more on this legendary lover, see my post ‘A Venetian lover, and writer: Casanova’).

This folk dance originated in the 16th century in Friuli Venezia Giulia, which was part of the Republic of Venice, and it was all the rage at Venetian parties and in the dance halls and theatres. Casanova’s description conveys beautifully that this is a fast dance, and it is one of courtship performed by a couple or several couples. I can only imagine the fun my character in The Echoes of Love would have attempting to keep up with this dance, had they the opportunity to try it!

Here’s a video of the Forlana. This is quite a sedate version, but I have seen at Venetian events some really quite frenetic dances. I love the passion and abandon and joy embodied in this old-style courtship.