During the meeting, six important presentations from both historical and ethnomusicological perspectives will highlight various aspects of the musical-ritual practices connected to the devotion for Santa Rosalia.

Speakers:

Diego Ciccarelli, Officina di Studi Medievali
“Grand Machines” of the Franciscans for S. Rosalia.

Angela Tinervia, Associazione Frida Kahlo Palermo
Giuseppe Pitrè and the float for the 1896 festival.

Giuseppe Scuderi, Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity
The Society of Jesus and the cult of Santa Rosalia from the 16th to the 19th century.

Girolamo Garofalo, University of Palermo
The blind storytellers (the “orbi”) of Palermo and Santa Rosalia: from zu’ Rusulinu and Angelo Cangelosi to Fortunato Giordano.
In homage to Elsa Guggino and the Folkstudio of Palermo.

Sergio Bonanzinga, University of Palermo
Sounds and voices for Santa Rosalia in Palermo's festive contexts.

Maria Rizzuto, University of Palermo
Rites and songs for Santa Rosalia in today's Palermo between Western and Eastern Christianity.

The afternoon will conclude with the musical performance of two of the most famous and significant songs from the tradition of blind storytellers: the Triunfu a Santa Rosalia and the Abballu di li Virgini, performed by Giuseppe Giordano (voice and guitar), Giovanni Di Salvo (voice), and Sebastiano Zizzo (violin).

Organizer: Officina di Studi Medievali