Tarantella, << `tar` uhn TEHL uh, >> is a regional folk dance of southern Italy, including Sardinia and Sicily. It is named for the city of Taranto. The tarantella is usually performed by a couple, often surrounded by a circle of onlookers, to a brisk 6/8 time. The dancers typically accompany themselves on tambourines and castanets. The steps of the dance can be performed in many sequences. In some steps, the dancer moves forward and backward while hopping on one foot. Other steps feature heel-toe movements across the standing foot. The steps are linked by runs, skips, and movements with a partner.
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The tarantella probably dates from at least the early 1600’s, and may have been influenced by Spanish dance. Elements of the tarantella were first adopted into classical ballet in the early 1800’s.
