Saltarello

DEFINITION

An Italian dance dating from the 14th century in triple meter involving leaping and skipping. The saltarello survived into the 18th century, at which time it was a popular folk dance, usually accompanied by tambourine, guitar, and voices.a rapid Italian dance in triple metre, examples of which survive from the middle ages. The rhythm and energy of the dance are similar to those of the tarantella. a well known example appears in the final movement of Mendelssohn's 'Italian' symphony