Galop

The galop is a lively couple dance performed in a brisk, duple-meter rhythm, named for its galloping, forward-driving feel. It emerged in 19th-century Europe, with French and Central European social dance traditions contributing to its development from earlier country dances and the polka. The term reflects the rapid, running steps and forward momentum typical of the style.

In practice, the galop is danced by two partners who move with quick, short steps in a propulsive flow to the music. The basic pattern is built from fast sequences of steps and light hops, creating a sense of forward motion and urgency. Figures tend to be simple and repetitive, allowing couples to synchronize with each other while preserving the characteristic galluping feel. The dance was commonly included in quadrille and ballroom repertoires and enjoyed broad popularity in Europe and North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As ballroom fashion changed, the galop declined in everyday social dancing but has continued to appear in period performances, demonstrations, and staged productions.

In music, the term galop also denotes a fast, upbeat dance piece in a duple meter, used both to accompany the dance and as a standalone instrumental or orchestral work. A well-known association is the Galop Infernal, from Jacques Offenbach’s Orfeo all’Inferno (Orpheus in the Underworld), which is closely identified with the galop style and its bright, exuberant character.