Cartolina 7 & 12 January 2009

Wilma explores the folk music of Apulia on a fascinating journey through Matteo Salvatore’s songs.
He couldn’t read and write, never went to school, at seven he was taught by a blind old fiddler the songs orally transmitted for generations, and the style peculiar of this tradition. In 14 years with the old man he learned some 150 songs, while earning their living with their music. When the old man died, Matteo went to Rome, on foot, it seems, in 5 days. He played in restaurants, attracting the attention of interested people. One of them took him to Torino, where he started a successful career, becoming the voice of the South. Illiterate, Matteo was a natural poet. He left the traditional folklore behind, and composed all new songs, lyrics and music, in the true style of Italian singer songwriters. His words were simple, often in dialect, and covered all aspects of poor people’s life.

Quotes from Italian broadcaster Vito Laterza, and Chinese violinist Zhang Zhang.

Songs: La sciuscella, Il pescivendolo, La nascita, Marito e moglie, La morte traditrice, Il lamento dei mendicanti, Mo ve’ la bella mia dalla muntagna, Lu pecurere, Lu furastiero, La notte e` bella.