Dances of Portugal

To any lover of the dance the exotic rhythms of the Portuguese folk dances must have an irresistible fascination. Mrs. Armstrong, who has lived in Portugal for many years and made a special study of Portuguese dancing, gives in this book a delightful description of the traditional dances, with their intricate figures, sudden leaps and turns in the air, and above all their endless variety and improvisation. Travelling to remote villages, often under conditions of some difficulty, she has gathered her material from sources where traditions are still fresh and living. From the Vira in the north to the complicated waltz figures of the Tagus fisherfolk, she has seen them all, and her enthusiasm stands out on every page.

Not only has the author seen and described the dances, but she has also taken detailed notes. This book contains music and step notation for four of the best and most typical of the country dances of Portugal, and four beautiful colour-plates show the costumes appropriate to each.