The dance
Danced in couples, in 6/8 time, with the tamburelli (tambourines) keeping the beat: the tarantella sorrentina, the traditional folk dance of Sorrento, is a courtship set to music. We perform it with the traditional steps of the past and the original music, with no modern reworkings. We can say it with pride: this is the real tarantella.
The tarantellas
The show is divided into several dances: each one is a song to love, to culture and to figures from history.
- Tarantella Tasso
- Tarantella Masaniello
- Tarantella Manente
- Tarantella Scialla
- Tarantella Firenze
- Tarantella dell'Amore
- Tarantella Rossini
The steps
These are the steps that make up our tarantellas. At the end of the show we teach a few of them to the guests too.
Starting position
After a parade-style entrance, the men lead the women in, holding them close at their right side. All the couples line up and form a circle.
Little hops (saltelli)
Eight small hops on the spot, starting with the left foot, repeated as the dancers alternate between the inner and outer positions.
Side steps (traversè)
The couple separates and moves sideways with eight small steps to the right, hopping on the left foot and beating time with the right leg raised to knee height.
Heel and toe (tacco e punta)
Facing each other, eight hops on the right foot: the left heel touches the ground and is immediately drawn back, crossing the toe behind, on the outside of the right foot.
Full turn (rondeau)
The dancers make a full turn around the centre of the couple.
Sliding step (strisciante)
Eight hops on the right foot while the left swings horizontally and its toe slides along the ground.
Resting steps (passi di riposo)
Moving forward, the left foot is pointed in front of the right, and then the other way round; moving backward, the left foot opens to the left and then steps back, letting the right do the same.
Side openings
From the facing position, an opening to the left with the right foot pointing across, then an opening to the right with the left foot.
Shoulder to shoulder (spalle e spalle)
Shoulder to shoulder, the dancers hop on the inside foot with the leg raised in the direction of travel and circle around the centre of the couple.
Foot stamps (colpi a terra)
From the basic position, rhythmic downward stamps with the left foot forward, then back onto the right.
Waist turn (giro in vita)
Hopping on the right foot, the dancers spin round, linked at the waist by their right arms.
The final embrace
The tarantella ends just as it began: with the couple together again, ready for the next dance.
Bring the tarantellato your celebration
Weddings, hotel evenings, private parties: tell us the date and place and we will send you a tailor-made proposal.