Go Out, Go Out Maria

When we met Fratelli Mancuso in September, they gave us a mini-concert right on a “stradina” (a little street) in Sutera, their hometown. It was absolutely divine! They sang and played for us their song “Nesci Maria” (pictured here). Some of the lyrics in Sicilian, then English, to give you a glimpse, are as follows:…

It Scrapes the Sky

When our Experience Sicily tour met the music duo Fratelli Mancuso last week, I really did mean it when I titled the post, “On Top of the World.” Not only did I feel that way after listening to their breathtaking musicianship, but geographically speaking, it also seemed to be the case! Sutera, their hometown, really…

On Top of the World

We are finishing our tour tonight, but not without another amazing encounter first! This evening we spent a breathtaking two hours with the Fratelli Mancuso in Sutera, their hometown. Really, it doesn’t get better than this. I am still shaking from the emotions I felt hearing them and meeting them again–this time, in Sicily. I…

Stealing from Old Men in the Village

Calling upon the traditional work songs and sacred music they heard growing up in the small town of Sutera in the province of Caltanissetta, Lorenzo and Enzo Mancuso create “new-traditional” Sicilian roots music. Known internationally as Fratelli Mancuso, the duo mixes elements from Gregorian chant, Christian liturgical laments, Arabic and Byzantine lyrical prayers, and the…