May 8 – Sardinia is a magical island in the Mediterranean, a place where nature remains unspoilt. Sardinia is paradise beaches, high-impact scenarios, and caves of rare beauty. But Sardinia is also music and culture. Sardinia is best known for its “canto a tenore,” a social-artistic expression of its pastoral heritage. And to this very particular style is dedicated an event sponsored by the Italian Cultural Institute in Cologne and in program Wednesday, May 14. The protagonist of the appointment will be tenor Giovanni Pirisi, who will perform for the public the mystic sounds of Sardinia. Pirisi – voice for the choir “Tenore San Gavino de Oniferi” – prepared a video presentation linked to the culture and traditions of Sardinia. The presentation – as stated on the website of the IIC – will be held in Italian but will probably be translated into German. “Canto a tenore” is a style of choral singing of great importance in the local tradition because it is the artistic expression and social expression of the the island. “Canto a tenore” was added in 2005 in the UNESCO World Heritage Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity because of its uniqueness. Born in the bosom of the millennial tradition of pastoral Sardinia, it is an ancient choral singing in four parts, of great value in the musical landscape of the Mediterranean ethnic richness.
