Yesterday, at the Théâtre Le Ranelagh in Paris, the Christmas concert by Antonio Castrignanò and his ensemble “Taranta SoundS” took place. The event was organised by the Permanent Representation of Italy to the International Organisations in Paris and by the Consulate General of Italy, with the support of the Ministry of Culture. The concert celebrated Italian musical traditions in the heart of the French capital, highlighting the role of culture as a bridge between communities and institutions.
Hailing from Salento, Antonio Castrignanò is one of the most recognised figures in contemporary folk music. A musician, composer, and sound researcher, he combines the ancestral rhythms of Mediterranean tradition with modern and international sounds. He was joined on stage by Enza Pagliara, one of the most authentic and powerful voices of the Salento tradition, and Ziad Trabelsi, a renowned Tunisian musician whose work represents a living expression of the shared cultural space of the Mediterranean.
The Italian Permanent Representative in Paris, Ambassador Luca Sabbatucci, welcomed the more than 300 guests in attendance, emphasising that: “Music is, by its nature, a universal language: it crosses borders and speaks directly to the emotions.
Traditional music, in particular, possesses a unique evocative power: rooted in its own land, it conveys something profoundly human and timeless, the memory of communities that have danced, suffered, and hoped together. For this reason, it represents a bridge not only between peoples, but also between the present and our past. This is precisely the principle that inspires the ‘Tourism of Roots’ initiative, one of the most successful programmes promoted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani”.
The evening at the Ranelagh saw Castrignanò and his band offer an energetic and captivating musical performance, featuring frame drums, polyphonic voices, and arrangements that skilfully blend popular roots with modernity. The ensemble “AC & Taranta SoundS”, composed of musicians of international standing, delivered a concert that seamlessly combined celebration, tradition, and innovation.
