Balletti

Balletti is the plural form of balletto, an Italian term for a small or light dance. The word derives from ballo, dance, with the diminutive suffix -etto, and it is used in musicology and dance history to describe a distinctive class of Renaissance and early Baroque dance pieces and performances.

Historically, balletti appeared at Italian courts from the 16th century onward as short, lively numbers performed for entertainment at celebrations, in masques, intermezzi, and the early operas that preceded modern Italian and French ballet theater. They were typically choreographed for couples or small groups and valued for their brisk tempo, easy-to-learn steps, and cheerful character. In many cases, balletti were also published as instrumental dance music, providing a practical repertoire for court musicians and dance masters.

In musical practice, balletti often took the form of brief dance movements within larger works or as standalone pieces in collections of dance music. The term helps illuminate the blending of dance and music in the Baroque era, and it foreshadows the development of later European dance forms, including the ballet de cour in France and the broader tradition of ballet as theatrical dance.

Today, balletti are of interest primarily to scholars of Renaissance and Baroque dance and music, who study their choreography, social function, and musical characteristics as part of early modern performance culture.