Tarantella in the Modern Age

Once specifically a solo dance form with no structure or definite technique, tarantella used to solely exist as a practice to remove spider poison. While some remote places in Italy still follow the functional practice of the original tarantella, the dance most famously has evolved into a flirtatious couple’s courtship routine. This is the most common form of tarantella today which differs from its origins in historical and functional authenticity. The popularized form is either performed by a man and a woman or two women. The woman often has dominance over the man, using a tambourine to lure him in, similar in function to how the original ‘cure’ dance had a female focus. In tandem, the pairs perform lively steps that involve a lot of spot changes and kicking to emulate the frenzy of the source material. Tarantella is performed both in singular pairs or with multiple pairs at once. The dress of today’s tarantella involves a skirt, bodice, and a flowy top for women. Sometimes, the women will tie scarves around their necks, waists, and hair. For men, they tend to dress in a flowy shirt and tailored pants with a sash tied around the waist. For both women and men, the colors of red, green, black, and white are incorporated throughout the outfits.

The music of tarantella is an essential piece to the puzzle, both in the present day, and the past. In a lively 6/8 time, the music is catchy and recognizable. The sounds of tarantella lead the dance, assisting the performers in rhythm and tempo. Guitars, tambourines, and accordions are typically used to make the music.

Tarantella can be seen performed mostly at Italian weddings, as well as at cultural festivals. In Italy, tarantella still persists as one of the most popular cultural dances. The dance is often reinterpreted in contemporary fashions to allow the folk dance to evolve with the times.

While tarantella has changed in ways of authenticity, the dance has remained in the hands of Southern Italians which keeps its past alive. The motifs of the cure dance remain in today’s form in its presentation.

A ccording to r ich A rdo t rimillos in looking out...

h istoric A l A uthenticitythe form of something st A ys close to the origin A l A s possible , even if its purpose ch A nges . f unction A l A uthenticitythe function of A d A nce evolves , even if its form rem A ins simil A r .