Italy

Italian Dance

Alreude, Countess of Bertinoro Italy led her army in several battles. One famous battle was at Aucona in 1172 where they broke the siege. Another famous defender was Caterina Sforza. Caterina was the daughter of the Duke of Milan. She defended various territories. She was sole ruler of Forli and Imol after her husband’s death. There are many other famous defenders, also.

Italian dance has a history buried under volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. There are frescos of dancers preserving the dance history for the Italian folk dances. The renaissance started in Italy in the 14th century. During this time the dances became more dignified, as did the fashion of the time. Italian folk dances are still performed at weddings, and various celebrations. A famous dance teacher to the aristocrats was Guglielmo Ebreo from the Italian town Pesaro. He also wrote a study of dance including some of the first choreography’s. These dances were designed for social court ballroom dancing. There were other well-known dance masters in Italy also. Domenico and Antonio Cornazano.

The Bassa Danzas were slow, somewhat processional style dances that came from Italy. The medieval Saltarello may have been the ancestor of the Galliard dance. The Saltarello and the Piva were lively improvised dances. The Quadernaria, Ballo, Moresca and the Masque dances were other popular dances. Most of the dance steps were expected to be done in a rising and falling motion. The Tarantella is a lively improvisational dance for men and women. The dancers use tambourines, there are variations of the dance throughout Italy. It became popular through out Europe. Masques for dancing are made all over Italy.

From the influence of Catharine de’Medici the Italian ballet was developed during the 14th century. Catharine also brought other dances to the courts, of other countries, including the Corrente, a Masque type Renaissance and Baroque dance. Higher-class men were expected to learn the court dances as a part of their education. There were approximately 24 Celtic tribes in Italy.