History
Tarantella is a folk dance that originated in the regions of Apulia and Calabria in Southern Italy. The dance gets its name from the bite of the tarantula spider and was believed to be a cure for the spider's venom.
According to legend, the bite of the tarantula spider was so poisonous that it could cause fatal consequences. The only cure for the bite was to dance until the venom was out of the victim's system. The dance was performed to fast, upbeat music with the hope of exhausting the victim to the point of sweating out the poison.
The tarantella dance became popular among the poor peasants in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries. It was initially thought of as a pagan ritual that was considered inappropriate by the Church. As a result, the dance became a symbol of rebellion against the Church and the aristocracy.
The tarantella dance was not just a form of entertainment but also a way for the working-class people to express their frustration and dissatisfaction with their living conditions. The dance was often performed during times of hardship and social unrest, such as during the famine, plagues, and wars that plagued Italy in the 16th and 17th centuries.
As the tarantella dance gained popularity, it began to evolve into a musical genre of its own. The music of the tarantella was characterized by its fast, upbeat tempo, and its use of the accordion, mandolin, tambourines, and castanets.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the tarantella became more refined and was adopted by Italian nobility and the upper classes as a fashionable dance. The new version of the dance was more choreographed and less spontaneous than the original form.
The tarantella also became popular outside of Italy, particularly in America and Europe, where immigrants brought the dance and the music with them. The dance became a staple at Italian-American weddings, festivals, and other celebrations.
However, during the fascist regime of Mussolini in the 1930s and 1940s, the tarantella was forbidden because it was considered to be a symbol of peasant opposition to the government. It was only after World War II that the dance regained its popularity and became an important part of Italian culture.
Notable artists
Antonio Castrignanò: Antonio Castrignanò is a notable Tarantella artist known for his unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. Hailing from Puglia, Italy, Castrignanò has been praised for his ability to weave together rhythms and melodies that capture the essence of the Tarantella dance. His album "Fomenta" gained him widespread recognition, and he has since toured extensively throughout Europe and beyond.
Alessandra Belloni: Alessandra Belloni is a renowned percussionist, singer, and dancer who has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the Tarantella tradition. Trained in the art of the Tarantella by many of Italy's master musicians, including the legendary tamburello player Uccio Aloisi, Belloni has become a leading figure in the Tarantella revival movement. Her performances are energetic and engaging, blending ancient rhythms with modern sensibilities.
Mimmo Epifani: Mimmo Epifani is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer who has been a fixture in the Tarantella world for over two decades. His music draws upon a wide range of folk influences, including Balkan, Middle Eastern, and Celtic styles. Epifani is also an accomplished producer, having worked on numerous albums for other Tarantella artists.
Maria Marone: Known for her powerful voice and striking stage presence, Maria Marone is one of the most exciting Tarantella performers to emerge in recent years. Raised in a family of musicians in southern Italy, Marone has been performing since a young age. She has released several albums over the years, and her music has been featured in numerous films and documentaries.
Enza Pagliara: Enza Pagliara is a Tarantella singer and composer who has been performing since the 1990s. She is known for her ability to channel the spirit of the Tarantella in her music, blending traditional rhythms with modern instrumentation. Pagliara has released several albums over the years, and her work has been widely praised for its authenticity and passion.
Rina Schenfeld: Rina Schenfeld is a dancer and choreographer who is best known for her innovative interpretations of the Tarantella. Her performances are characterized by a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, and she often incorporates multimedia effects into her shows. Schenfeld has received numerous awards for her work, and she continues to be a driving force in the Tarantella world today.
Uccio Aloisi: Uccio Aloisi was a legendary tamburello (a type of drum) player from Calabria, Italy. He was a key figure in the revival of the Tarantella in the 1960s and 1970s, and he went on to mentor many of the genre's most famous performers. Aloisi's style was characterized by his virtuosic drumming and his deep respect for the history and tradition of the Tarantella.
Lucilla Galeazzi: Lucilla Galeazzi is a Tarantella singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who has been a leading figure in the Italian folk music scene for over three decades. She has released several albums over the years, and her music has been featured in numerous films and television shows. Galeazzi is known for her stunning vocal range and her ability to fuse together diverse musical styles into a cohesive whole.
Uccio Gaeta: Uccio Gaeta is a Tarantella musician and composer known for his innovative use of electronic instruments. His music blends traditional rhythms with modern technology, resulting in a sound that is at once ancient and futuristic. Gaeta has released several albums over the years, and he continues to push the boundaries of the Tarantella genre with his groundbreaking music.
Lino Cannavacciuolo: Lino Cannavacciuolo is a Tarantella singer and guitarist who has been a major force in the Italian music scene for over three decades. He has released several albums over the years, and his music is renowned for its passionate performances and intricate guitar work. Cannavacciuolo is one of the most respected Tarantella musicians in the world today.
Broader context
One notable book that explores the subject of tarantella is The Tarantula in My Purse: And 172 Other Wild Pets by Jean Craighead George. In the book, George describes her experience of becoming obsessed with the tarantella dance and tradition after learning about it from a friend. She writes, "I learned that the tarantella is not only a sinuous dance but a music that mirrors the rhythms of nature, from the throbbing of the sea to the beat of the spider's heart."
Another notable book is Dancing the Tarantella by Katarina Peters. Peters delves deeper into the history of the tarantella dance, tracing its roots to ancient Greek myths and exploring its evolution from a healing practice to a popular folk dance. She writes, "The tarantella resembles the snake charmer's dance and has been described as a mesmerizing ritual that can liberate the body and free the mind."
Notable quotes about tarantella include one from folklorist Giuseppe Cocchiara, who said, "The tarantella is the quintessence of the South: its beauty, its exuberance, its fertility, its darkness, its passion, and its desperate joy." Another quote comes from musician and composer Ennio Morricone, who said, "The tarantella is the emblem of Italian music, its most joyful expression and at the same time, its most humble and profound roots."
Academic research on tarantella includes a study by musicologist John Blacking, who investigated the musical structure and cultural significance of the dance. He wrote, "The tarantella is an exceptional manifestation of folk cultures, combining music, dance, and ritual. It is a symbol of collective identity, a way of expressing vitality, passion, and joy, as well as pain, suffering, and healing."
Finally, writer and philosopher Fernando Pessoa wrote about tarantella in his book The Book of Disquiet, where he reflected on its powerful emotional impact: "The tarantella is a sacred dance of the earth. It is the rhythm of our soul, the pulse of our heart, the dream of our nights, and the vision of our day. It is the dance of life, the dance of love, the dance of passion and pain, the dance of hope and despair."
The social context of the Tarantella can be traced back to the 15th and 16th centuries when Italy was divided into various city-states, each with its unique culture and traditions. The Tarantella was a popular dance in the remote towns and villages of Southern Italy, a region that was often neglected by the central government. The dance became a way for people to express their identity and assert their cultural identity in a society that was marked by political and social divisions. The dance was also a way for people to connect and express themselves, regardless of their social status or background.
The cultural context of the Tarantella is deeply rooted in Southern Italian folklore and traditions. The music and the dance are an integral part of the local festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year. The Tarantella is often performed during wedding ceremonies, and it is also an important part of the Easter celebrations in Southern Italy, where it is performed in the streets by people dressed in traditional costumes. The Tarantella has also inspired numerous works of art and literature, including the famous collection of folktales by Giambattista Basile, which includes the story of the "Seven Doves" who dance the Tarantella to show their devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Technologically, the Tarantella has evolved over time with the advent of new instruments and recording technologies. Record labels such as La Voce del Padrone, Fonit-Cetra, and Durium were crucial in popularizing the Tarantella in the early 20th century. These labels helped record and distribute Tarantella music to a wider audience, and many notable musicians such as Enrico Caruso, who recorded the Tarantella "Lu Passariellu" in 1916, contributed to its popularity. In the 1970s, the Tarantella experienced a revival in Italy, thanks to the emergence of new recording technologies and the influence of world music. Artists such as Riccardo Tesi, who incorporated jazz and other musical styles into their Tarantella music, helped bring the genre back to the forefront of Italian music.
Journalists and other notable figures have also played a role in the Tarantella's continued popularity. Carlo Levi, a famous author and painter, wrote about the Tarantella in his book "Christ Stopped at Eboli", which helped bring the dance to the attention of a wider audience. In recent years, artists such as the Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, who performed at the 2012 Olympic Games, have helped to promote the Tarantella to a global audience.