Originating in Italy, the name comes from the Italian verb saltare (“to jump” or “to leap”). It is characterized by its quick triple meter ((3/4) or (6/8) time) and is historically known as a lively, energetic, and sometimes courtship-oriented dance
It was one of the four main movements of noble 15th-century dance, alongside the piva, bassadanza, and quaternaria. It was, however, always popular with the general public.
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