The tarantella dance
-- A lush folk dance popular of Southern Italy, it is built in 6/8
'abbastanza mosso tempo', and executed by couples -- generally more than
one couple -- who play cartanets or tambourines while dancing. It represents
an enblem of southern colour and Mediterranean vitality. The name Tarantella
derives from the name of an insect. In fact a person bitten by Tarantula
might begin jumping from the pain -- this is the first step of the Tarantella
dance. Others think this dance was born as 'courtship dance'. The steps
of the male dancer seem to express his love for the girl who is dancing
with him.
It has rapid, whirling steps that
"combines energy with grace and tells a love story in pantomime" (Art
Journal 1886 p.169 quoted in Ormond and Kilmurray p. 68) and The
Tarantella Dance
Link sent to me by
Stephanie jenjer6@aol.com
Updated 10/4/2001