In Russia, balls as a cultural phenomenon appeared in the 18th century, but gained true popularity only a century later. In the classical sense, a ball is a solemn event, public or secular, with the main emphasis on the dance program.
Instructions
Step 1
It was customary to give balls all year round. The official opening of the season was held in November, when representatives of the upper class returned from their summer residences and began to be frankly bored in the cities. It was customary to go to balls all winter, excluding the time when there was fasting. Often the head of the family received several invitations to balls scheduled for the same day. Some of them could be ignored, on others it was obligatory to appear. Most of the balls ended closer to morning. The next afternoon it was necessary to make visits, and then prepare for new balls.
Step 2
The ballroom in the house included a hall where the main action took place, a smoking room, a buffet and a playroom. Ballroom etiquette in the 19th century was so precisely spelled out that the slightest deviation from it was considered indecent. Everything was regulated: the costumes, and the rules for performing dances, and etiquette, and the norms of communication, and the design of the halls.
Step 3
Balls were court, private, merchant, children's, public, wedding, birthday balls. It was customary to send an invitation to the ball in advance - at least 7-10 days before the celebration. This was done so that the ladies could prepare a new dress. To be published twice in one and the same was considered the height of indecency and a sign of financial insolvency. If a thematic ball was held, for example, monochrome, the invitation indicated in what color costumes the invitees should appear. By the way, sometimes a masquerade toilet for a lady cost her husband one or two villages along with land and peasants.
Step 4
Young girls were instructed to appear at balls in pastel-colored dresses, have uncomplicated hairstyles, and wear a limited number of not too flashy jewelry. Older ladies could afford something more extravagant and bright. In any case, the dress was open, the size of the neckline was sometimes shocking. Balls were attended with soft shoes, usually without a heel. From cosmetics it was supposed to use only powder.
Step 5
After receiving the invitation, within two days it was necessary to send a written consent to take part in the celebration. It was not supposed to refuse, if there were no compelling reasons, for example, the death of a close relative.
Step 6
Balls were given in huge halls decorated with flowers and ribbons and illuminated by thousands of wax candles. They danced in the middle of the hall. On two long walls, elevations were usually mounted, where chairs and card tables were placed, on each of which several new decks of playing cards were placed. At these tables, they gossiped, lost fortunes, started duels, discussed politics. For musicians, a separate platform was usually set up with benches arranged in an amphitheater.
Step 7
Arriving at the ball, the guests had to pay their respects to the owners of the house. If a lady was married, she was obliged to come to the ball with her husband. When he was absent, it was possible to appear with a friend and her husband. Unmarried girls were accompanied by their mothers or elderly relatives, who were supposed to vigilantly monitor the observance of all decency. Girls who were not popular with gentlemen danced anyway, since their mother or relative chose partners for them. Even if the lady was frankly ugly, they had to start small talk with her, say compliments. She, in turn, should smile, flirt with a fan and show sympathy for the gentleman.
Step 8
Each lady had with her a ballroom book called carne or agend. A list of dances was entered there in advance, and on the contrary, at the ball itself, the names of the gentlemen who wanted to dance with her were entered. Ballroom books were tiny and usually attached to the waistband of a dress. Giving a promise of one dance to two gentlemen was considered bad form and could provoke a duel. For beautiful and free girls and women, the agenda was scheduled from the very first minutes of the ball. It is curious that a lady was not supposed to dance with the same gentleman for more than three dances per evening. If this rule was not followed, then they began to talk about an imminent wedding.
Step 9
The ability to dance gracefully, conduct small talk and good manners often made the commanders of entire battalions out of court dandies, contributing a lot to promotion.
Step 10
The first dance in the 19th century was often the minuet, the second was the waltz. The climax of the evening is a mazurka, the final one is a cotillion. Girls and boys were taught to dance from the age of five. Often, such exercises were reminiscent of an athlete's training. Regardless of the state of health, mood and emotions experienced, it was necessary to perform figures, managing not to step on the partner's feet, not pushing anyone, not falling and not confusing directions.
