saltarello

[ sal-tuh-rel-oh, sawl-; Italian sahl-tah-rel-law ]

noun

, plural sal·ta·rel·los, Italian sal·ta·rel·li [sahl-tah-, rel, -lee].

1. a lively Italian dance for one person or a couple.
2. the music for it.

saltarello

/ ˌsæltəˈrɛləʊ /

noun

1. a traditional Italian dance, usually in compound duple time
2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word History and Origins

Origin of saltarello¹

1590–1600; < Italian, derivative of saltare to dance; saltant

Word History and Origins

Origin of saltarello¹

C18: from Italian, from saltare to dance energetically, from Latin; see saltant

Example Sentences

Canellakis kept the strings focused and together in the fairy music of the Overture, and in the “Italian” Symphony imparted plenty of driving, fast-paced vigor that turned fierce in the Saltarello finale.

From Los Angeles Times

The choreographed steps themselves were adapted versions of the social court dances of the sixteenth century, typically grouped in pairs such as the French pavane and galliard or the Italian passamezzo and saltarello, as well as the popular allemandes and courantes.

From Literature

For a gracious nobleman in Renaissance Urbino, that meant being able to finish dancing the most elaborate saltarello with a double hop and a self-deprecatory shrug.

From New York Times

A saltarello is a traditional Italian dance, usually in compound duple time.

From The Guardian

The Mendelssohn was spruce and radiant with rapid-fire staccatos, weightless phrasing in the Andante and a palpable dance step to the Saltarello.

From The Guardian