See also: Music of Sardinia.
| Cantu a tenòre | |
| Stylistic Origins: | Sardinian music |
| Instruments: | Human voice |
| Local Scenes: | Sardinia |
| Ich: | Canto a tenore, Sardinian pastoral songs |
| State Party: | Italy |
| Domains: | Performing arts |
| Id: | 00165 |
| Region: | ENA |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Session: | 3rd |
| List: | Representative |
The Sardinian: italics=no|cantu a tenòre (Sardinian: su tenòre, su cuncòrdu, su cuntràttu, su cussèrtu, s'agorropamèntu, su cantu a pròa; Italian: canto a tenore) is a style of polyphonic folk singing characteristic of the island of Sardinia (Italy's second largest island), particularly the region of Barbagia, though some other Sardinian sub-regions bear examples of such tradition.
In 2005, UNESCO proclaimed the Sardinian: cantu a tenore to be an example of intangible cultural heritage.[1] [2]
The word Sardinian: tenore is not to be confused with the word "tenor" as a simple description of vocal register; it refers to the actual style of folk singing and is distinguished from other similar styles called by different names in different places on the island, such as Sardinian: taja in Gallura and Sardinian: concordu in Logudoro .
In the Barbagia region on the island of Sardinia, there are two different styles of polyphonic singing:Sardinian: cuncordu, usually a form of sacred music, sung with regular voices, and Sardinian: tenore, usually a form of profane music, marked by the use of overtone singing.
Sardinian: Cantu a tenore is traditionally practised by groups of four male singers standing in a close circle. Each singer has a distinct role, here listed in descending pitch order—form a chorus (another meaning of Sardinian: tenore):
The Sardinian: bassu sings the same note sung by the Sardinian: 'oche, and Sardinian: contra a fifth above the Sardinian: bassu. The Sardinian: 'Oche and the Sardinian: mesu 'oche sing in a regular voice, whereas the Sardinian: contra and the Sardinian: bassu sing with a technique affecting the larynx.The Sardinian: 'oche sings a poetic text in Sardinian, which can be of epic, historic, satirical, amorous or even protest genre. The chorus consists of nonsense syllables (for example bim-bam-boo).
According to popular tradition, Sardinian: mesu 'oche imitates the sound of wind, while the Sardinian: contra imitates a sheep bleating and the Sardinian: bassu a cow lowing.
The solo voice starts a monodic vocal line and is then joined by the others as he indicates to them to join in.
The effect is somewhat that of a round except that the points where the other singers join in vary and, thus, the harmonies vary from version to version. The execution differs in details between each of the villages where a Sardinian: tenore is sung to such an extent that the village can be immediately recognized.
Although nowadays Sardinian: cuncordu and Sardinian: cantu a tenore are performed only by men, memories remain of a time where women groups performed as well, following the matriarchal tradition of Sardinia. According to some anthropologists, Sardinian: cantu a tenore was performed back in Nuragic times.
Some of the most well known groups who perform Sardinian: a tenore are Sardinian: italics=unset|[[Tenores di Bitti]], Tenore de [[Orosei]], Tenore di [[Oniferi]] and Sardinian: Tenores di [[Neoneli]].