Tarantella

'La Boutique Fantasque' or 'The Magic Toy Shop' was a ballet conceived by Léonide Massine who wrote the choreography and the libretto. Ottorino Respighi wrote the music based on piano pieces by Gioachino Rossini. Its world premiere was at the alhambra Theatre in London on 5 June 1919 and was performed by Sergei Diaghilev's 'Ballets Russes'. Massine's story is set in France in late 19th century where a world-famous toymaker has created exquisite dancing dolls in his magic toy shop. Its general theme is lightly satirical, incorporating elements of comedy, national folk dance and mime as well as classical choreography, and its story unfolds in three acts. The short but very virtuous 'Tarantella' is one of the most well known parts from the ballet and often played as en 'encore'.