ALMALATINA

The “plectrum combination” Almalatina (literally Latin soul) has devoted itself for several years to the study and research of the great tradition of Neapolitan song, retracing the steps along the path of history and style from its first manifestations to the most modern interpretations, with the intention of rediscovering the musical and expressive purity of its origins in their own performances.

Apart from their passion for Neapolitan music, the group wants to pay homage to all music which expresses the ‘Latin soul’ along an idealised branch which runs from east to west, almost following the trajectory of the sun. Sunniness is indeed the characteristic common to the folk music of entire peoples, from Greece to Italy, to Spain, to Latin American countries. String instruments which are plucked express this best and, in their various forms, have always been associated with the typical instruments of many countries.

In tandem with this is their interest in Italy’s extraordinary mandolin playing tradition which, unfortunately, was at risk of being irretrievably lost. Almalatina includes three grandchildren of Maestro Anedda, one of the all time great mandolin players and the main person behind a re-evaluation of that classical instrument. We have him to thank for the chairs of mandolin in Italian Conservatories and hence the renewed interest in this instrument of young generations of musicians. To keep the delicate atmosphere created by the sound of the plectrums intact, the group prefers the female voice, from whose expressive sweetness emerges that archetypal Mediterranean quality which has always been symbolised, often unconsciously, by women. Dr Luciano Meo, cultured, erudite, with a profound knowledge of Naples’ history, of its art, its songs is the custodian of historical notes on the pieces, anecdotes, curiosities, the poetry which, together with the music, specifically define Neapolitan people with all their contradictions, their anxieties and hopes, their emotions, their passions, their Philosophy.

Almalatina has performed for numerous associations and music festivals in Italy and elsewhere, also by invitation of the Italian Foreign Minister. In 1996 the group was responsible for the musical programme of the “Noblest Naples” seminar, aimed at raising the profile of *Partenopean Culture and in 1997 it received the “Foyer des Artistes” prize of La Sapienza University, Rome. Almalatina has also made several radio and television broadcasts (RadioRai 1, Rai 1, Telemontecarlo International and Tv France). Recently the group has condensed its own historical and musical research on to a CD ROM, produced and distributed by the Parisian label Shooting Star. The CD includes a selection of songs representative of the various historical eras (from 1500 to the first half of the 20^th Century) underpinned by a multi-media presentation of the historical and cultural contexts from which these pieces emerged.

*Partenope = the foundress of Naples

Translation by Sarah J Hyde - www.thelanguage.biz
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