Behind the Scenes: Mauro Durante, leader of traditional Italian music ensemble Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino
We caught up with Mauro Durante to learn more about a unique double bill at this year’s Brighton Festival featuring two of the most acclaimed acts on the global music scene.
“Pizzica Taranta dates back to the healing music and dance performed in order to cure someone bitten by a spider!”
Tell us about Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (CGS)?
CGS was founded by my father, writer Rina Durante, in 1975. We are considered Italy’s leading and longest-standing traditional music ensemble, hailing from the Salento - the heel of the Italian boot - in Puglia. We are a seven-piece virtuoso band and I assumed leadership in 2007.
Tell us more about your performance at Brighton Festival 2022?
For CGS, Brighton Dome is an amazing showcase for the group and our performance will feature the spellbinding dancer Silvia Perrone. The idea of a double-header show with Justin Adams (Robert Plant’s guitarist) came about after meeting him in 2011 at the Taranta festival in Italy. This led to Justin producing CGS’s latest album Meridians and my recording a new album with him, Still Moving.
How would you describe the show in three words?
Whirlwind, mysterious, exciting
What do you hope people will take away from the Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino event?
A new kind of profound live experience. Joy and surprise, to witness a tradition they perhaps never knew of, and an ancient one at that. Pizzica Taranta dates back to the healing music and dance performed in order to cure someone bitten by a spider (tarantula), so it naturally has a mysterious power! CGS have developed this to make a show for today.
Are you looking forward to Brighton Festival 2022?
We haven’t played in Brighton before, so to do so at the Brighton Dome, (considered) by some (to be) the finest auditorium in England, is a treat. And it’s by the sea, like at home!
Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino and Justin Adams & Mauro Durante, 18 May 2022, book here
