Terpsichore

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In Greek mythology, Terpsichore (IPA pronunciation: [ˌtərpˈsɪkəri]) ("delight of dancing") was one of the nine Muses, ruling over dance and the dramatic 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 with her music to the dancers' choirs. She is sometimes said to be the mother of the Sirens by Achelous. Her name comes from the Greek words τερπέω ("delight") and χoρός ("dance").

Contents 1 References 1.1 Historical references 1.2 References in popular culture 1.3 Other references

[edit] References

[edit] Historical references

Terphsichore figures among her sisters in Hesiod's Theogony.

"Terpsichore" is the title of a large collection of dance tunes collected by Michael Praetorius, some originating with Pierre-Francisque Caroubel.

[edit] References in popular culture

Terpsichore is a lyric in the song Come Dance With Me by Frank Sinatra

Terpsichore was portrayed by Rita Hayworth in the 1947 film Down to Earth and Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)

Her name is also used as one of the weapons in Soul Calibur III. The dancer class's third weapon is called the terpsichore.

The John Cleese character in Monty Python's Cheese Shop sketch claims "I am one who delights in all manifestations of the Terpsichorean muse."

[edit] Other references

"Terpsichoria" is a small dance studio in Clackamas, Oregon for young dancers.