Tarantella is the most popular of all the
Italian songs. The song is both dynamic and graceful and the dance is one of
light and quick steps mixed with passionate gestures. Its origin dates back to
the Middles Ages.
Legend states that between the 15th and 17th centuries an epidemic of tarantism swept through the town of Taranto in southern Italy. This was as a result of being bit by the poisonous tarantula spider. The victim or tatantata was almost always a woman that once bitten she would fall into a trance that could only be cured by dancing. People would surround the victim while musicians would play mandolins, guitars and tambourines in search of the correct rhythm. Each beat would have a different effect on the tarantata causing various movements and gestures. Once the correct rhythm was found it was almost certain that the tarantata was cured.
Legend states that between the 15th and 17th centuries an epidemic of tarantism swept through the town of Taranto in southern Italy. This was as a result of being bit by the poisonous tarantula spider. The victim or tatantata was almost always a woman that once bitten she would fall into a trance that could only be cured by dancing. People would surround the victim while musicians would play mandolins, guitars and tambourines in search of the correct rhythm. Each beat would have a different effect on the tarantata causing various movements and gestures. Once the correct rhythm was found it was almost certain that the tarantata was cured.
In Sardinia the
typical dance is the Ballo Sardo or
"Ballo Tondo", round dance. It
is often danced by couples standing side by side in open circle formation, but
also in an open circle or spiral with no partners. It is always done close to the ground, almost giving the effect of
skating; however when the music becomes lively, the men will kick higher and
add a little fancy footwork.