One evening earlier this month, during our Stunning Sicily tour, I was fortunate to be accompanied by Giovanni, Vincenzo, and Pepe as I (impromptu) sang “Cu ti lu dissi” (Who Told You) for our group. “Cu ti lu dissi” is a love lament that was made popular by Sicilian singer Rosa Balistreri. It is one…
Category: Music
Sicilian Music And Magic
Musica Siciliana online concert Sunday/oggi 3PM (Eastern)/21:00 in Italia. Zoom. Gratis. Access at event at https://experiencesicily.com/sicilian-folk-music-concert/. I’ll be playing a tamburello (tambourine/frame drum) during today’s concert-lecture of traditional Sicilian folk music. Although my drum is from Palermo, it’s not as magical as the one I’m holding in this photo from summer 2019, when our group…
Ancient And Modern Music-Making In Sicily
Female figure on a stool playing the lyre (4th – 5th century BCE), from the ancient city of Lilibeo (modern Marsala), seen in the Museo Whitacker archeological museum on Mozia Island. Speaking of music-making, join Villa Palagonia duo on Sunday at 3PM (Eastern)/21:00 in Italia for an online concert of Sicilian folk music (and a…
Sicilian Folk Music Concert This Sunday On Zoom
Concert on Sunday! Register at https://experiencesicily.com/sicilian-folk-music-concert/ Yes, this too is Sicily … On a snowy January day in Palermo Province (2019). The weather outside is frightful, and so, listening to an online concert-lecture of Sicilian folk songs with a bonus rendition of “Winter Wonderland” and more will be perfect this Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3pm…
Sicilian Tarantella Is Old School Speed Dating
If you’ve ever square danced in the United States, then you already have a glimpse into the culture of Sicilian tarantella folk dance. This scene filmed in 2019 at a party I attended is of rehearsed choreography, but if done traditionally, Sicilian tarantella has specific steps that dancers know, and they follow a caller while…
Inspired By Siculiana Marina’s Beach In Sicily
How does one describe one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily? Words aren’t always sufficient. If it’s any indication of just how magnificent Siculiana Marina is, Sicilian guitarist Francesco Buzzurro composed an entire album of songs inspired by it called Il Quinto Elemento (The Fifth Element). When I heard him perform pieces from it…
Magic In The Alley Of Sutera, Sicily
When I see this image from September 2014, I remember the tears I shed as I listened to Fratelli Mancuso performing “Bella Maria” in the alleyway of Sutera, Sicily for our small-group. I am a huge fan of Lorenzo and Enzo’s music–I feel their harmonies in every cell of my body. The fact that I…
Say YES2020 By February 1 And Let’s Go To Sicily
I’m going to Sicily in 2020 – – and you can too! Amuni’: Let’s go! Say YES2020 when you reserve your spot on a small-group Sicily tour hosted by Experience Sicily by 11:59PM on February 1, 2020, and save an additional $150 per person. Immerse yourself in this fascinating region of the world featuring 3000…
Recalling A Time of Chivalry In Sicily
The UNESCO recognized opera dei pupi was a popular form of entertainment in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Before film and television, it was a favorite form of diversion for men and boys (It’s actually pretty violent and bawdy!). Our hero Orlando and the knights and their enemies recall the age of chivalry, originating…
Sending You Harmony And Joy
May harmony and joy greet you! Buon Natale! Merry Christmas! Ti mando armonia e gioia!