What is "terpsichore"

Terpsichore \Terp*sich"o*re\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? enjoyment (fr. ? to gladden) + ? dance, dancing.] (Gr. Myth.) The Muse who presided over the choral song and the dance, especially the latter.

the muse of the dance, Greek Terpsikhore, literally "enjoyment of dance," from terpein "to delight" (from PIE root *terp- "to satisfy;" cognates: Sanskrit trpyati "takes one's fill," Lithuanian tarpstu "to thrive, prosper") + khoros "dance, chorus" (see chorus).

In Greek mythology, Terpsichore (; Τερψιχόρη) "delight in dancing" was one of the nine Muses and goddess of dance and chorus. She lends her name to the word "terpsichorean" which means "of or relating to dance". She is usually depicted sitting down, holding a lyre, accompanying the ballerinas' choirs with her music. Her name comes from the Greek words τέρπω ("delight") and χoρός ("dance"). She is also a mother of the sirens and Parthenope.

[[Image:Terpischore -Unidentified -circa 1900.JPG|thumb|right|150px|

An unidentified Ballerina of the Imperial Ballet in the Petipa/Pugni Terpsichore, St. Petersburg, circa 1870]]

Terpsichore is a ballet in one act based on the myth of Terpsichore, and choreographed by Marius Petipa with music by Cesare Pugni. First presented by the Imperial Ballet on November 15/27 ( Julian/ Gregorian calendar dates), 1861, for the Imperial court at the theatre of Tsarskoe Selo in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Category:Ballets by Marius Petipa Category:Russian ballet Category:Ballets by Cesare Pugni

Terpsichore was one of the classical Greek Muses. She was the Muse of dance and the dramatic chorus.

Terpsichore may also refer to:

• Terpsichore (1612), a compendium of more than 300 instrumental dances by Michael Praetorius
• Terpsichore (Petipa/Pugni), a ballet by Marius Petipa and Cesare Pugni
• 81 Terpsichore, an asteroid
• HMS Terpsichore, any of several ships of the Royal Navy, including:
  • HMS Terpsichore (R33), a T-class destroyer active during World War II
• Terpsicore (1734), prologue by Handel to his opera Il pastor fido

Terpsichore is a compendium of more than 300 instrumental dances published in 1612 by the German composer Michael Praetorius. The collection takes its name from the muse of dance.

In his introduction Praetorious takes credit for arranging the music rather than composing the tunes. The collection is based on French dance repertoire of the time, although scholars have identified some of the tunes as coming from elsewhere, for example England.

The work was rediscovered in the twentieth century by the early music movement. The Early Music Consort is among the groups which have recorded some of the dances.