dances

a phase of the 'saltarella' dance

This is the main dance in the East side of central Italy, but also known in the Latium area. It is in the family of 'Tarantella', which is danced in the south-west Italy, and the 'Pizzica' danced in the south- Italy. This dance is very probably pre-roman and Roman authors refered to it as 'saltatio'.

another phase of saltarella

Saltarella is quite variable and generally is an open dance (no lines or circles). Foot movement is very rapid in 3/8 and arms remains below the shoulder level. Instead in the Tarantella and Pizzica hands are often very high, above the head.

another phase of saltarella

There are several possible combinations during the dance: female groups, male groups, two females and two males, a couple and a single male...in this there are a million variations!.

My wife and me in a saltarella 'solo'

'Solo' it is a frequent and dominant of the saltarella. The dancers are in front each other or stay lbeside each other. In the case of the picture, hand in hand, with crossed arms.

central phase of saltarella

Most of the saltarellas have a phase where the dancers rotate very quickly around a central point. This also can occur among couples. Movement is always anticlokwise.

The public starts to dance

Saltarella is an active dance and still danced in Abruzzo by people

Jisciana dance

Another old dance from Southern Abruzzi. This is a circular dance with a quite hypnothic backwards movement of the dancers who move in rings like a chain.

'Spallata' dance

An old dance performed in a line or in circle with a typical pause in the musical phrase and a quick semirotation of the male dancers, after which the couple hit each other. Complex changes occur during the dance. The dance is accompained by instructions given by a 'capo ballo'.