Canzones de Sardigna

The island of Sardinia is the second-largest in the Meditteranean Sea, incorporating linguistics stemming from both Italian and Spanish roots. Its rich artistic history comes from its inspirational poetry and its unique musical performance creation of 'canto a tenore'. 'Canto a tenore' (kahn-toh ah teh-noh-reh) is a stylized form of polyphonic quartet singing for secular textual passages (for sacred passages, this style of singing would be known as 'canto a cuncordu') in which the lead singer ('boghe') performs a passage very freely without meter, being answered with nonsensical syllables by the bass ('bassu') and baritone ('contra') sing gutterally to the tune of a perfect fifth and the fourth voice ('mesu boghe') with a melismatic passage of their own. Mainly an oral tradition, the form has embellished over time with including metrical, syncopated works akin to dances and anthems of a brighter future and improved homeland. This tribute with text selections from famed Sardinian poets Melchiorre Murenu (the “Homer” of Sardinian poetry) and Pompeo Calvia captures the pure essence of the singing style of canto a tenore and brings it to your men’s choir to perform and appreciate this distinct style of musical performance around the world.