(Headline image: Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino live in 2015 – Photo by De Pinto)
Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (CGS), Italy’s longest-running traditional music ensemble, will mark its 50th anniversary with a U.S. tour in spring 2025. The tour, running through March and April, includes performances in Chicago, New York City, and appearances at both the Big Ears and Savannah Music Festivals.
Founded in 1975 by writer Rina Durante, CGS is internationally recognized for revitalizing the pizzica and taranta traditions of Southern Italy’s Salento region. The Lecce-based group blends ancient ritualistic rhythms with modern arrangements, reimagining the trance-like dances historically believed to cure the taranta spider’s bite.
Since 2007, leadership of the ensemble has been in the hands of Mauro Durante, son of the group’s former director, Daniele Durante. Mauro, a fiddler, drummer, and vocalist, has expanded CGS’s global reach through collaborations with artists such as Ludovico Einaudi, Stewart Copeland, and Ballaké Sissoko. Under his direction, CGS continues to bridge tradition and innovation, captivating audiences worldwide.
With 20 albums, international tours, and accolades including Best Group at the 2018 Songlines Music Awards, CGS remains at the forefront of Italy’s folk revival.
CGS is: Mauro Durante (voice, frame drums, violin), Alessia Tondo (voice, percussion), Giulio Bianco (Italian bagpipes, harmonica, recorders), Massimiliano Morabito (diatonic accordion), Emanuele Licci (voice, guitar, bouzouki), Giancarlo Paglialunga (voice, tamburrieddhu), Silvia Perrone (dance).
Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino 2025 U.S. Tour Dates
03/27 Old Town School Of Folk Music – Chicago, IL
03/28 Savannah Music Festival – Savannah, GA
03/30 Big Ears Festival – Knoxville, TN
04/02 Drom – New York City, NY
Author: World Music Central News Room
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