Ripresa

In 15th Century Italian Dance a ripresa (pl. riprese) is a step resembling two closed singles. It may be performed to the left, to the right, forwards, backwards or as part of a mezavolta or voltatonda. The step takes one misura to complete, the same amount of time as a doppio.

A ripresa left consists of a step to the left foot, bending the knees slightly, then closing with the right foot while lifting up on to the points of the toes. This movement is then repeated. A ripresa right is the same to the opposite side.

A ripresa forward on the left foot consists of a step forward on the left foot, bending the knees silghtly, then joining the feet and raising up onto the toes. The movement is then repeated on the right foot. A ripresa forward on the right foot is the same with the opposite feet. A ripresa backward is the same, but backwards instead of forwards, and may be performed beginning with either the left or right feet.

When performed as part of a mezavolta the ripresa is performed the same way as a ripresa forward, but with a silght curve so that the dancer ends up facing the opposite direction. Usually a voltatonda consists of two riprese, and so the steps are no different to the mezavolta.