Folia: A Baroque Pageant

NOTE: The word folia means “wild amusement” in Portuguese and refers to a boisterous shepherds’ song and dance that originated in the 15th century on the Iberian Peninsula. Originally an improvisational form, folia evolved into a stately musical composition with a set harmonic progression in order to facilitate virtuosic melodic displays. It was standard practice in the Baroque era for a male courtier to be schooled in the arts of dancing, acting, fencing, as well as play a musical instrument, not to mention that a gentlemen could wear a stylish tonnelet (hooped short skirt), and use a fan.