Tarantella

Arranged by master composer and arranger Alfred Reed (1921– 2005), Tarantella is a couple folk dance of Italy characterized by light, quick steps and teasing, flirtatious behavior between partners; women dancers frequently carry tambourines. The music is in lively 6/8 time. Tarantellas for two couples are also danced. The tarantella’s origin is connected with tarantism, a disease or form of hysteria that appeared in Italy in the 15th to the 17th century and that was obscurely associated with the bite of the tarantula spider; victims seemingly were cured by frenzied dancing. All three words ultimately derive from the name of the town of Taranto, Italy. (Source: www.britannica.com)