Music Cantata
Music Cantata
May 17, 2024
The piece Cantata, part of our SPRING programme, is accompanied live by the dynamic Southern Italian group Assurd. This ensemble has kept traditional song and music from the south of Italy alive since its founding in 1993. The group was founded by three women: Cristina Vetrone, Lorella Monti and Enza Alessandra Prestia. In 1999 the group became a quartet with the arrival of Enza Pagliara. Enza Alessandra Prestia and Enza Pagliara have no longer been part of Assurd for several years, but the women continue to work together for the international performances of Cantata.
Have you ever wondered what they are singing about? We’ve got you covered. Read here the translation from the original Southern Italian dialect to English.
Assurd creates a unique and authentic musical experience. Their work not only preserves the cultural heritage of southern Italy, but also brings it to life for contemporary listeners. The singers are inspired by the singing of the earlier singers. The music has its origins in age-old rural traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation. Through the powerful combination of musical talent and colorful harmonies, the symbolic meaning of cultural and emotional values is always tangible. Every woman has her own voice. It is a musical journey through the regions in which they grew up, with passionate rhythms of the Neapolitan tarantella, wild pizzica from Salento and warm South American sounds. All this is enhanced by the use of original instruments, such as castanets, tammorras, tambourines, drums and accordions. Assurd always plays live, except on May 2 and 3.
Nonna Nonna
Nonna Nonna Bebè
Ca Mo Vene Tatà
E T’o Port O Bimbò
Nonna Nonna Bebè
Tango E Vai
‘A Cantina E Zi’ Teresa
Nuje Truvammo ‘O Vino Buono
‘O Bevimmo La Matina,
S’arrenfrescano ‘E ‘Ntestine
‘O Bevimmo A Miezojuorno,
Ce Alluntana Li Taluorne
‘O Bevimmo All’otto ‘E Sera
Nun Ce Vene Lu Culera
‘O Bevimmo A Mezanotte,
È Fennuta N’ata Votte
‘O Bevimmo Tutto L’anno
E Tutte ‘E Guaje Ce Scurdammo
‘E Guaja D’ ‘A Vita Quanno Nun Ce Stà Fatica
‘E Guaie D’ ‘E Figlie, Ca So’ Sempre Piccerille
Se Pisciano Sotto
Se Pisciano Sotto
Se Pisciano Sotto, È Fennuta N’ata Votte
E Vota E Gira, Nun Ce Abbastano ‘E Lire
E Gira E Vota, Ne Parlammo N’ata Vota
E Cantate ‘Mpruvvisate
E Cantate ‘Mpruvvisate
E Cchiu’ Belle ‘Nnammurate
L’aggia Avute Me Crerit’
Sotto ‘E Stell Chissa’ Comme
Core A Core, Faccia A Faccia
Senza Manc’ Sape’ ‘O Nomm’
M’ho Strignevo Dint’ ‘E Bracce…
Mamma Ma’, Che Fuoco Ardent
Ca Me Mette Dint’ ‘E Vvene
Manco Fosse Acqua Vullente
Core Mio Te Voglio Bene
Nun Te Sacce, Ma Chi Si’?
Pure Tu Nun Saie Chi So
Dint’ ‘A St’uocchie Si Caduto
E Pur’ Io Affunnanno Sto’
Sott’ ‘A Luna, Mano A Mmano
Ce Vasamm’ E Ce Strignimm’
Comme ‘A Lava D’o’ Vulcano
Ce ‘Nfucamm E Po Vullimm’
E Chi Si? Ma Che Me ‘Mport’
Nun Me ‘Mport D’o’ Sape’
Io Chi So’? Ma Che Te ‘Mporta
Tengo ‘O Sfizio! E Vien’ Vie!
Vuo’ Sape’ Si Chi Te Tocca
E’ Cuncetta O Mariannina
*Io T’ho Ddico Dint’ ‘A Vocca
Dint’ ‘A Recchia A Margellina
Vuo’ Sape’? Ma Che Me ‘Mporta
Si Si’ Peppe O Salvatore
Si ‘O Vestito E’ Curt’ O Luong’
Vai Ca Machina O’ Trattore
Io Te Voglio, E Pure Tu
Dimme Doce Ca Me Vuo’
Mo Ca Stamme A Tu Per Tu
Famme Tu Chelle Che Vuo’
Mo Penzammo A Sta Nuttata
A Ll’ammore Ca Sentimm’
Po’ Penzamm’ ‘E Cundannat’
Ma Pe’ Mo, Chi Simm’ Simm’
Dundudurudu….
Si Nu Surz’ D’acqua Fresca
Senza Nomme E Idendita’
Leve A Sete! Me Renfresca
Sulamente Tu ‘O Ssaje Ra’
Sott’ A’ Luna Sott’ ‘O Sole
Stu Surzillo Me Ll’hai Da’
Ca So’ Bell’ E So’ Ffigliola
E Cu Te Voglio Pazzia’
Dice A Gente Ca Sta Sola
Vui’ Scarfatem Accussi’
E Nemmeno A Core A Core
Sti’ Turmient S’nna Di’
Tu Me Scarf Chistu Core
Me Cunsuol A Tu Per Tu
Comme ‘O Sole Nasce E More
Nasce E Muore Pure Tu
Fimmene Fimmene
Fimmine fimmine ca sciati allu tabaccu
Ne sciati 2 e nu turnati 4
Fimmine fimmine ca sciati alle ulie
Cugghitine le fitte e le cigghiare
Fimmine Fimmine Ca Sciati Allu Tabaccu
La ditta nu be tae li talaraletti
Fimmene fimmene ca sciati a vindimmare
E sutta allu cippune bu la faciti fare
E santu paulu miu te tarante
Pizzichi le caruse e le fai sante
Girasole
Pigliat’ Stù Calor’
Fin’ A Che Resta Juorn’
Pecché Tu Si Girasole
O Cerca O Sole O More
Giall’te Si Vestut’
Pé Schiacciá Stù Dolore
Ma O Nnir’ T’é Tradut’
Sola, Solo, Soli
Sole, Sole, Sole
No Chhiù
Sola, Solo, Soli,
Sul’
Sole, Sole, Sole
Mura, Muro, Muri,
Mare, Mare, Mare
No Cchiù
Mura, Miro, Muri,
Sul’
Mare, Mare, Mare
Como Un Aguacero
Solo Agua Quiero ver
Esta Flor Quiere Vivir
Y No Quiere Comprender
Agárrate Este Calor, Hasta Que Quede El Día
Porqué Tú Eres Un Girasol
Que Busca La Alegría
Stu Core Miu
E Cu’ ‘Sta Voce Amara Canto ‘O Dulore ‘E Chesta Terra Mia
E Cu’ ‘Sta Voce Scura Canto ‘O Calore ‘E Chesta Gente Antica
E’ Chesta ‘A Gente Mia, Ca Va Luntano Pe’ Cerca’ Furtuna
Ma ‘Sta Furtuna E’ Ddoce Pe’ Chi ‘Nce Nato E Mo’ Nire Gravone
E Quanno Po Li Stelle A Mille A Mille Salutano ‘Stu Core
Parole Mo’ D’ammore Parole Doce Cantate Chiano Chiano
E Quanno Poi Li Stelle A Mille A Mille Mo Luceno Dinto ‘O Cielo
Pare Che ‘O Paravise Comme A’ Nu Manto Mo Scenne E Me Consola
E Cu’ ‘Sta Voce Scura Canto ‘O Calore ‘E Chesta Terra Mia
‘Sta Terra Abbandunata, ‘Sta Terra Nera Fatta Cu’ Lava E Mare
‘Stu Core Mio Malato Ca Va Cercanno Sùlo Calore E Ammore
Pecche’ ‘Sta Malatia Sulo Ll’ammore E Mo La Po’ Sana’
E Quanno Po Li Stelle A Mille A Mille Mo Brillano Dinto ‘O Cielo
Me Portano ‘O Turmiento E Stu Turmiento E’ Nu Dulore Antico
E Quanno Po Li’ Stelle A Mille A Mille Mo Luceno Dinto ‘O Cielo
Pare Che ‘O Paravise Comme A’ Nu Manto Mo Scenne E Me Consola
Chist’addore
Quann Veco A Luce Miez’o Mare
Sacce Ca Speranza Nun Po Mai Fernì
A Speranza De Truvà L’addore
Chell’addore Che M’ha Fatto ‘Namurà
Stai Purtann Stu Dulore Mio
Chest’forza Toia È Pure A Forza Mia
Simme Comm L’ale E Na Palomma
Sule Stanne Astritte Putimme Vulà
Pizzica
Sta cala lu serenu de le stelle
Quista è la notte de rubbà le donne
Ci rubba donne nu se chiama latru
Se chiama giovanottu nnamuratu
E non aggiu vistu mai sole te notte
Mancu ricotta quajare senza latte
E l’amore vecchiu quandu se bbanduna
E cu na girata d’occhiu se rinnova
E l’amore nu se face nu la sapia
Ca te tene ferma com una tenaja
E la donna ca te amanti ne tene doi
La viti sempre allegra e mara mai
E vivi ci balla moi vivi ci balla
Sta balla lu palumma e nu cardillu
E t’aggiu dare nu baciu getta focu
Cu te lu tieni te ricordu miu
Grandma Grandma
Grandma Grandma candy
What Time Is Daddy Coming
And He Brings You The Baby
Grandma Grandma Candy
Tango and Go
At Aunt Teresa’s Cellar
We Find Good Wine
We drink it in the morning
And It Refreshes Our Intestines
We Drink It At Midday
And push away bad thoughts
We drink it at eight in the evening
We Don’t Get Cholera
We drink it at midnight,
Another barrel is over
We drink it all year round
And We Forget All The Troubles
The Troubles of Life, When There is No Work
The Troubles of Children, Which Are Always Small
They piss underneath each other
They piss underneath each other
They’re pissing themselves, another beating is over
And vote and go around, we don’t have enough money
And go around and vote, let’s talk about it another time
The Improvised Cantatas
The improvised cantatas
They are the best and favorites
The most beautiful lovers
I had them, do you believe me?
Heart to heart, face to face
Without even knowing the name
I held him in my arms
My goodness, what a burning fire
That gets in my veins
It wasn’t even boiling water
My heart I love you
I don’t know about you, but who are you?
Even you don’t know who I am
You fell into these eyes
And I’m falling too
Under the moon, hand by hand (little by little)
We kiss and hold each other
Like volcano lava
We get on fire and then we boil
And who are you? But what do I care
I don’t care to know
Who am I? What do you care?
I want you and come come!
Do you want to know if who touches you
It’s Concetta or Mariannina
I tell you in your mouth
In Mergellina’s ear
You want to know? But what do I care?
If you are Giuseppe or Salvatore
Whether the dress is short or long
Go by car or tractor
I want you and so do you
Tell me sweetly that you want me
Now that we’re face to face
Do whatever you want to me
Now let’s think about this night
To the love we feel
Then we think about the condemned
But for now, who we are we are
Dundudurudu….
You are a sip of fresh water
Without name and identity
Take off the silk, it refreshes you
Only you can give it
Under the moon, under the sun
You have to give me this sip
That I am beautiful and I am a daughter and
I want to have fun with you
Says people who are alone
You warm me up like this
And not even heart to heart
These torments must be said
You warm my heart
Console me face to face
How the sun is born and dies
You are born and you die too
Women Women
Women women who go to pick tobacco
You go two and come back four
Women women who go to collect olives
Collect where there are many and where there are few
Women women who went to pick tobacco
The company does not give you the frames
Women, women who go to harvest the grapes
And under the stump of the vine you get fooled
And my holy Paul of the tarante
You pinch girls and make them saints
Sunflower
Receive this warmth
As long as it’s day
Because you are a sunflower
That without the sun dies
You dressed in yellow
to take away the pain,
But black deceived you
Alone, alone, alone
Sun, sun, sun
Never again
Alone, alone, alone!
Alone
Sun, Sun, Sun
Walls, wall, walls
Sea, Sea, Sea
Never again
Walls, wall, walls
Alone
Sea, Sea, Sea
Like a flood
I only want to see water,
This flower wants to live
without wanting to understand
Receive this warmth as long as it is day
Because you are a sunflower
In search of happiness
This My Heart
With this bitter voice I sing the pain of this land of mine
With this dark voice I sing the warmth of these ancient people
My people go far to seek their fortune
And This This Luck Is Sweet Because He Was Born Carbon Black
And then when the stars 1000 by 1000 greet this heart
Words of Love, Sweet Words Sung Softly
And When Then The Stars 1000 By 1000 Laugh In The Sky
It seems that Heaven comes down like a cloak and consoles me
And with this dark voice I sing the color of my land
This abandoned land is black land made of lava and sea
My Sick Heart Looking Only for Beauty and Love
Because Only Love Can Cure This Illness of Mine
And When Then The Stars To Me 1000 Shine In The Sky
They bring back torment to me and this torment is an ancient pain
And When Then The Stars 1000 By 1000 Laugh In The Sky
It seems that Heaven comes down like a cloak and consoles me.
This smell
When I See The Light In The Middle Of The Sea
I Know That Hope Can Never End
The Hope of Finding That Smell
That smell that made me fall in love
You Are Carrying My Pain
Your Strength Is Mine Too
We are like the wings of a dove
Only by holding tight can we fly
It pinches
The darkness of the night is coming
This is the night when women are stolen
He who steals women is not called a thief
It’s called young man in love
And I have never seen sun at night
Not even quail ricotta without milk
And old love when it abandons itself
With the blink of an eye it is renewed
And you don’t make love, I didn’t know that
That holds you in place like pincers
And the woman who has two lovers
You always see her happy and never sad
And long live those who dance now, long live those who dance
He is dancing the palomma and the cardillo
I have to give you a fire-throwing kiss
So you’ll keep it as a memory of me