Occhi Turchini - Songs from Calabria

Pavan, Franco

GCD P33002

With 'Occhi Turchini' the inspiring singer, instrumentalist and actor Pino De Vittorio has returned to the recording studio, fixing his sights on the musical culture of the Italian region of Calabria. For this new recording for Glossa, Franco Pavan and his Laboratorio 600 have been researching the rich, historical musical texture of the region, known as the 'toe' of the Italian 'boot'. Most recently, singer and ensemble worked together on the 'Siciliane' recording, also for the Spanish label. This new programme embraces traditional songs, examples of the adulteration of local language for comic effect in Baroque Neapolitan opera, and even a parody of the text for the Te Deum in the same Calabrian; but also reflections of Byzantine, Greek, Albanian and Arabic cultures which have permeated the region over the centuries. Pino De Vittorio, a veritable powerhouse of mood, is the ideal vocal interpreter for this multi- layered chequer-board of the region s cultural history, with Pavan and his ensemble imparting colourful accompaniment for De Vittorio or spirited solo playing in instrumental works such as the 'Tarantella nfuocata', 'La calabrisella', and especially the 'Canzona a morto', played on the harp by Flora Papadopoulos. Pavan, as well as playing theorbo and the Calabrian chitarra batente, also acts through his booklet essay as guide across this rugged, isolated, but immensely rich cultural terrain.

CD x 1

Glossa

5/2/18

8424562230026