Fledermaus Quadrille (How to)
Fledermaus Quadrille instructions
The Fledermaus Quadrille is a lively, elegant, and enjoyable dance rooted in the Viennese ball tradition. Its structure and energy resemble a formal square dance, making it both approachable and delightful for dancers of all levels.
At Ballroom Dance Chicago, we annually escort clients to Vienna for ball season, typically attending the Kaffeesiederball and the Opernball. To ensure our clients experience the full essence of these events, we emphasize extensive training in the Fledermaus Quadrille traditions prevalent in modern-day Vienna.
Additionally, the Fledermaus Quadrille, along with other quadrilles, plays a significant role in Chicago Ball Season. Here’s our comprehensive guide to learning, teaching, and calling the Fledermaus Quadrille, so you can join us on the floor in Vienna!
Introduction
The Fledermaus Quadrille consists of six movements (Pantalon, Été, Poule, Trenis, Pastourelles, and Finale), each with distinct figures danced to music in 4/4 time. A full performance lasts between seven and nine minutes and is typically conducted at 12:30 AM, 2:30 AM, and 4:30 AM at Viennese balls. It’s known for its mix of lighthearted moments and ceremonial elegance, leaving participants eager to dance it again.
At Chicago Ball Season events, we often include a class that includes one or two sections of the Fledermaus Quadrille. We also have a mid-evening performance of the entire quadrille for those who know it.
Why Use a Caller?
Unless dancers are highly familiar with the Fledermaus Quadrille, a caller is essential to keep everyone in sync.
TIMING: The caller announces each figure one measure before it begins.
PRECISION: Cues such as “and 1” or counting “5, 6, 7, 8” ensure dancers start at the correct moment.
FUN FACTOR: Following the caller allows everyone to participate with ease, making the dance both smooth and enjoyable.
Key details for dancers
STARTING FORMATION: Two lines of couples face each other, with the Follower on the Leader’s right.
STEPPING: Each figure begins by stepping with the right foot.
PACE: Movements follow the tempo of a brisk walk, with each step matching one beat of music. Most figures take 8 counts to complete.
Key Terms
A-PARTNER: The person in a Couple who is closest to one side of the room at the start of the dance.
B-PARTNER: The person in a Couple who is closest to the other side of the room at the start of the dance.
NOTE: The A-Partner and B-Partner appointment never switches throughout the dance.
OPPOSITE PARTNER: Refers to the person directly across from you in the opposite line. This can be further specified as the Opposite Follower or the Opposite Leader depending on their role.
FIRST COUPLES: Couples in one line
SECOND COUPLES: Couples in the other line
Note: The First and Second Couple appointments never switch throughout the dance.
HOME LINE: This is your starting position on the dance floor. At the end of every figure, the goal is to return to your Home Line.
OPPOSITE LINE: The opposite line where your Opposite Partner begins is referred to as the Opposite Line.
ARCH PAIR: Two Followers who join inside hands, which are raised to form an arch as they walk.
PRESENTATION POSITION: The couple stands side by side, facing the same direction. The Leader holds the Follower’s left hand on top of his right, with their joined hands extended forward. The forearms should be horizontal, with elbows bent at a 90° angle.
COURTESY POSITION: The couple stands side by side, facing the same direction, with left hands joined. The Leader places their right hand gently on the Follower’s lower back.
COURTESY TURN: In Courtesy Position, the couple performs a half-turn to the left. The Leader steps backward, and the Follower steps forward, rotating together around their shared center.
PRESENTATION TRIO: One Follower dances with two Leaders – Their own Leader on their left, the opposite Leader on their right. They holds their arms forward, somewhat outstretched, in the two Leaders’ outside hands. The Leaders’ inside hands hold the Follower on their back just above the waist.
Figures for Movement #1 - Pantalon
This foundational movement sets the tone for the Quadrille, emphasizing coordination, elegance, and a touch of lighthearted fun.
Duration: Approx. 1:30
ACKNOWLEDGE PARTNER: Follower curtseys / Leader bows to their Partner. Follower curtseys with left foot. Counts: turn 2, down 2, up 2, turn 2.
ACKNOWLEDGE OPPOSITE: Follower curtseys / Leader bows to Opposite Partner. Counts: side step to right 2, down 2, up 2, side step left 2.
ENGLISH CHANNEL: Follower and Leader exchange places with their Opposite Partner, dropping and re-joining hands as Followers split Opposite Couple (Leaders on outside) angled toward Opposite Partner (4 counts). Figure ends with a Courtesy Turn to face center, ending in a Presentation Position.
ENGLISH CHANNEL: Figure 3 is repeated. The Courtesy Turn ends with Partners facing each other.
RIGHT WALK AWAY: (This comes fast so watch for it!) Follower walks to center and briefly curtseys to Opposite Follower while Leader moves to outside (4 counts: stepping right, cross-left in front, right, touch). This forms one line of Followers and two lines of Leaders. Follower and Leader return (4 counts: stepping left, cross-right in front, left, touch) to face each other, touching right palms, forearms vertical, at chest height, ready for next Figure.
RIGHT PALM TURN: Couple does a full turn to the right with palms touching, ending to face center in Presentation Position.
Followers CHAIN: Follower walks in a figure-8 to left-center, meeting Opposite Follower in center and briefly touching inside palms (4 counts), then walks to their Opposite Leader who offers his left hand to their and joins their with a left-turning Courtesy Turn to face the center.
Followers CHAIN: Figure 7 is repeated. Couples are now in their Home Line.
COUPLES WEAVE: In Courtesy Position, Couples walk forward, and exchange places with the Opposite Couple, passing on the Leader's shoulder in the center (4 counts), and ending with a Courtesy Turn to face center from the Opposite Line. (when calling it you can say "Couples Weave" at the start of Figure 9.)
ENGLISH CHANNEL: Figure 3 is repeated, ending in Presentation Position.
Figures for Movement #2 - Été
"Movement #2 is called Été. You need to know who is an A-PARTNER and who is a B-PARTNER. For each Partner in your Couple, if you are closest to the stage, could you raise your hand? You are the A-partner and you will always be the A-partner in this Figure. Now if you are furthest in your Couple from the stage, could you raise your hand? You are the B-partner. So now that we are clear on that, let's begin."
DURATION: Approx 1:07 with a repeat for B-partners.
A-PARTNER GREETING: The A-Partners walk to the center and curtsey / bow to each other (4 counts), then walk backwards back to their own line (4 counts). The B-partners wait.
A-PARTNER RIGHT DIAGONAL GREETING: The A-Partners walk to the center, but this time walk diagonally to their right to greet the A-Partner from the next Opposite Couple down the line (4 counts). They curtsey / bow to each other and walk backwards back to their own line (4 counts). The B-Partners wait.
A-PARTNER EXCHANGE PLACES: The A-Partners exchange places with each other passing on right shoulders, acknowledging each other (by a gentle bow of the head) as they pass in the center (4 counts), and then turning towards and acknowledging the waiting B-Partner as they join the opposite line. The waiting B-Partner also acknowledges the approaching A-Partner.
A-PARTNER RIGHT DIAGONAL GREETING: Figure 2 is repeated.
A-PARTNER EXCHANGE PLACES: Figure 3 is repeated. As Partners return to their Home Line, they face their Home Partner, touching right palms, forearms vertical, at chest height, ready for the next Figure...
RIGHT PALM TURN: Both Couples do a full turn to the right in palm-touching position, ending to face center. Couples are now in their Home Line.
B-PARTNERS repeat this movement Figure 1 to 6
Figures for Movement #3 - Poule
Movement #3 is called Poule. Keep the same A- and B-partner appointments as before and let's go..."
DURATION: Approx. 1:27 with a repeat for B-partners.
A-PARTNER EXCHANGE PLACES: The A-Partners exchange places with each other passing on right shoulders, acknowledging each other (by a gentle bow of the head) as they pass in the center (4 counts), and acknowledging the waiting B-Partner as they join the opposite line. The waiting B-Partner also acknowledges the approaching A-Partner.
A-LINKS: A-Couple walks into the center (4 counts) and does a half Left Palm Turn (left hand up, connect left hands, and continue to walk and turn forwards) to face down the line of Couples (2 counts) and form an Inner Link. The B-Couple does a 1⁄4 turn to the left (2 counts) and joins Right Palms to form the Outer Link with the A-Couple. The Leaders and the Followers are now in 2 lines facing each other.
STEP-POINTERS: Both Couples take a small side-step towards their Partner, then move and point their free foot towards their Partner (2 counts). Then similarly side-step away from their Partner, then move and point their free foot towards their Opposite Partner (2 counts). This is repeated twice. As the steps are taking place, everyone looks to the person to whom their free feet are pointing.
COURTESY WALK TO OPPOSITE LINE: Everyone drops hands with their Opposite Partners. Followers turn towards their free hand to get in to Courtesy Position, and then each Couple walks to their Opposite Line passing on the Leader's shoulder in the center (4 counts), ending with a Courtesy Turn to face center. Figure ends in Presentation Position.
A-PARTNER GREETING: The A-Partners walk to the center and curtsey / bow to each other (4 counts), then walk backwards back to their own line (4 counts). The B-partners wait.
A-PARTNER RIGHT DIAGONAL GREETING: The A-Partners walk to the center, but this time walk diagonally to their right to greet the A-Partner from the next Opposite Couple down the line (4 counts). They curtsey / bow to each other and walk backwards back to their own line (4 counts). The B-Partners wait.
COUPLES GREETING: Couples walk to the center in the Presentation Position and curtsey / bow to each other (4 counts), then walk backwards back to their own line (4 counts).
ENGLISH CHANNEL: Follower and Leader exchange places with their Opposite Partner, dropping and re-joining hands as Followers split Opposite Couple (Leaders on outside) angled toward Opposite Partner (4 counts). Figure ends with a Courtesy Turn to face center, ending in a Presentation Position.
THE MOVEMENT REPEATS itself for B-Partners from Figure 1 to 9.
Figures for Movement #4 - Trenis
"What a challenge! Movement #4 continues the fun. It is called Trenis. You need to know who is a FIRST COUPLE and who is a SECOND COUPLE. May I have the lines facing the North doors of the ballroom raise your hands? You are called First Couples, with a First Follower and a First Leader. May I have the lines with your backs to the North doors raise your hands? You are called Second Couples, with a Second Follower and a Second Leader. The First Couples will move first. When the movement repeats itself, the Second Couples will move. So let's begin."
DURATION: Approx. 1:05 with a repeat for Second Couples.
FIRST COUPLE GREETING: First Couple walks to the center in Presentation Position and curtseys / bows to the opposite couple (4 counts), then walks backwards back to their own line (4 counts).
FIRST COUPLE FORWARD & SPLIT, Followers FORM ARCH PAIR: First Couple walks to the center and splits (4 counts). The First Leader walks backward back to their Home Line. The Second Leader takes a small step back (to accommodate what will happen next). The First Follower continues to the Opposite Line, takes the spot where the Second Leader used to be, turns inwards to facing center, and then the Followers form an Arch Pair by holding and raising both their inside hands (4 counts).
ARCH PAIR FORWARD AND EXCHANGE PLACES: The Arch Pair Followers exchange places with the First Leader: All three walk forward, the Followers with a raised inside-hands-arch allowing the First Leader to walk underneath the arch as they pass in the middle (4 counts). The two Followers cross the floor to the First Follower's Home Line and turn in towards each other to face center. The First Leader takes the spot of the Second Follower turning towards and acknowledging the Second Leader, who responds with their own acknowledgement.
RETURN TO HOME LINE: Everyone returns to their Home Line. When the First Leader and the Second Follower pass on their left shoulders in the middle (4 counts) they acknowledge each other. Everyone ends this Figure with Partners facing each other.
RIGHT WALK AWAY: Same as we did before in Movement #1. Follower walks to the center and briefly curtseys to the Opposite Follower while the Leader moves to the right. Follower and Leader return to face each other, touching right palms, forearms vertical, ready for the...
RIGHT PALM TURN: Couple does a full turn to the right with palms touching, ending to face center.
THE MOVEMENT REPEATS itself from Figure 1 to 6, this time with the Second Couples.
Figures for Movement #5 - Pastourelles
"Wasn't that fun! Movement #5 continues this fun. It is called Pastourelles. Everyone keeps their same FIRST COUPLE and SECOND COUPLE appointments. I will call out the dance Figures, just listen to me!"
DURATION: Approx. 1:22 with a repeat for Second Couples.
FIRST COUPLE GREETING: The First Couple walks to the center and curtseys / bows to Second Couple (4 counts), then walks backwards, back to their own line (4 counts).
FIRST COUPLE FORWARD & SPLIT, Leaders FORM PRESENTATION TRIO: The First Couple walks to the center and splits (4 counts). The First Follower walks backward back to their own line. The First Leader continues to the Opposite Line and forms a Presentation Trio with the Second Couple (4 counts).
TRIO GREETING: The Presentation Trio walks to the center (4 counts), curtseys / bows to the First Follower, then walks backward back to their own line (4 counts). The First Follower graciously receives the acknowledgement and waits.
TRIO GREETING: Figure 3 is repeated. The Figure ends with the Follower's hands holding the inside hands of the Leaders, both in Presentation Position, with the Leaders stepping a little forward, facing slightly towards each other, so that the trio forms a 1/3 of a circle (in preparation for what is coming).
FIRST Follower GREETING & RETREAT: The First Follower now walks 3⁄4 of the way to their Opposite Partner and curtseys to him (4 counts). She then takes very tiny steps backwards to the center (4 counts).
FIRST Follower GRANDE CURTSEY: The First Follower walks to their Opposite Partner (3 counts) then steps to the left (1 count), does a very deep curtsey in front of the Second Follower (2 counts). On count 7, the First Follower rises; the two Leaders step in and take their hands, forming a Circle. (Note there are 7 counts in this Figure!)
CIRCLE LEFT AND BACK UP: The Circle circles to the left by 1⁄2 a turn (3 counts). The Second Couple walks backward back to their Opposite Line (5 counts). The First Couple waits in their own Opposite Line. (8 counts total)
ENGLISH CHANNEL: Follower and Leader exchange places with their Opposite Partner, dropping and re-joining hands as Followers split Opposite Couple (Leaders on outside) angled toward Opposite Partner (4 counts). Figure ends with a Courtesy Turn to face center, ending in a Presentation Position.
THE MOVEMENT REPEATS itself from Figures 1 to 8, this time with the First Couple waiting and the Second Couple moving.
Figures for Movement #6 - Finale
"And now for movement #6, The Finale. It is really easy. Everyone who is watching is invited to join in and clap in time to the music." [You might want to lead the clapping part way through.]
DURATION: Approx. 1:26 without a full repeat.
JOIN HANDS: In the Viennese Balls, everyone joins hands with their neighbouring Couples and waits in anticipation of this fun fast last movement. They become very merry about it all, and stamp their feet in time to the music. Everyone in the on-looking crowd responds by clapping their hands in time to the music. (8 counts)
JOIN HANDS: Continuation of Figure 1. (8 counts)
JOIN HANDS GREETING: Everyone joins hands with their neighbouring Couples, and walks to the center to
do a small curtsey / bow to their Opposite Couple (4 counts), then walks backward to their own line.JOIN HANDS GREETING: Figure 3 is repeated.
ARM IN ARM GREETING: Everyone drops hands; the Followers slip their arm through their Partner's arm. Couple walks to the center to do a small curtsey / bow to their Opposite Couple (4 counts), then walks backward as before.
ARM IN ARM DIAGONAL GREETING: Couples walk arm-in-arm diagonally to their right to do a small curtsey / bow to the next Opposite Couple down the line (4 counts), then walk backward back to their own line.
ARM IN ARM WEAVE: Couples exchange places arm-in-arm with Opposite Couples passing on the Follower's shoulders, acknowledging each other (by a gentle bow of the head) as they pass in the center (4 counts), and then turning to the right to face center once they reach their own line.
ARM IN ARM DIAGONAL GREETING: Figure 6 is repeated.
ARM IN ARM WEAVE: Figure 7 is repeated. Couples complete the turn at the end to face each other,touching right palms, forearms vertical, at chest height.
RIGHT PALM TURN: Couple does a full turn to the right with palms touching, ending to face center.
JOIN HANDS GREETING: Figure 3 is repeated.
JOIN HANDS GREETING: Figure 4 is repeated.
COUPLES GREETING: Couples walk to the center in the Courtesy Position and do a small curtsey / bow to each other (4 counts), then walk backwards back to their own line (4 counts).
Followers SWAP: Couples walk to the center in Courtesy Position (4 counts). The Partners split, and the Followers keep walking forward to the Opposite Leader. The Leader holds out their left hand and rotates 180° to the left, to take their Opposite Follower, in Courtesy Position, back to their own Home Line, for a Courtesy Turn.
Followers CHAIN: Follower walks in a figure 8 to the left-center, meeting their Opposite Follower in the center and briefly touching inside palms (4 counts), then walks to their Opposite Leader, ending with a Courtesy Turn.
Followers CHAIN: Figure 15 is repeated.
COUPLES GREETING: Figure 13 is repeated.
Followers SWAP: Figure 14 is repeated.
JOIN HANDS GREETING: Figure 3 is repeated.
COUPLES GREETING: Figure 4 is repeated.
This ends the Finale movement. At the end, the Leaders can jump up in the air and come down with a concerted, co-ordinated dual-foot stomp. The Followers, being every so demure and discrete, stomp one foot in time with the Leader's stomp. The Finale may be performed more than once at increasingly faster tempos.