L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 11 JANE HUSON While American youngsters put their shoes outside hoping that Saint Nick will leave them goodies, six-year old Filippo B r i e n z a o f B o l o g n a p u t h i s s h o e s o n t o g o s e e t h e Zampognari play. He waited all y e a r f o r t h e b e g i n n i n g o f D e c e m b e r w h e n h i s f a t h e r w o u l d t a k e h i m t o P i a z z a dell'Orologio to listen to the beautiful bagpipe melodies. "I'll admit I liked it especial- ly because there was a gelateria nearby and my dad would buy me a cup of zabaione [whisked egg with black coffee] on the w a y b a c k h o m e , b u t t h e Zampognari have a cool sound that I loved," said Filippo. These bagpipe players were originally shepherds who came down from the hills to spend C h r i s t m a s w i t h f a m i l y a n d e n t e r t a i n p a s s e r s b y a t l o c a l shrines. Today's Zampognari t e n d t o b e o l d e r m e n w h o s e families have a Zampognari tra- d i t i o n . T h e y h a v e b e c o m e a popular holiday attraction and play mainly for entertainment. Bagpipes inspire images of redheaded, skirt-wearing men who say "Ay, lassie" and eat a lot of potatoes. On the contrary, the Zampognari wear traditional shepherd garb made of home- spun wool and cloaks of animal hide, and they probably eat a lot of pasta. While Filippo enjoyed the Zampognari in Bologna, eight- y e a r - o l d L i s a P a s s a n i t i o f Verona waited anxiously for her little brother to get ready so they could go listen. The two were finally old enough to climb the hills by their home to see the local Zampognari. They sat at the hilltop humming along to "Tu scendi dalle stelle" ["You Come Down from the Stars"]. Z a m p o g n a r i o f t e n p l a y " Q u a n d o N a s c e t t e N i n n o " ["When the Child Was Born"], the original version of Italy's favorite Christmas carol "Tu s c e n d i d a l l e s t e l l e " . S i m i l a r to American folk music, the singsong melodies make people get up and dance along. Each pipe is tuned differently accord- ing to the tradition in the area, making each experience unique. Little Filippo and Lisa may have been too young to under- stand the musical complexity of t h e b a g p i p e g e n r e , b u t t h e y knew the Zampogna instrument was special. The Zampogna is an archaic golden instrument made with a double chantered pipe. The reeds were originally from gigantic "canna maria" reeds and the bags from sheep- s k i n o r g o a t h i d e , b u t t o d a y Zampogne are manufactured with synthetic materials. " T h e s e i n s t r u m e n t s a r e unlike any other instrument, so it's a rare thing to come across. Nowadays I walk by and see t h e m o n t h e s t r e e t s c r e a t i n g such a nice atmosphere with their melodies. I still like to stop and listen for awhile," said Lisa. "Many street performers play "Tu scendi dalle Stelle", but the Zampognari do it best. I remem- ber a flutist once walked along- side them harmonizing, and it was so lovely," said Lisa. The Zampognari generally play in couples – one playing t h e z a m p o g n a a n d t h e o t h e r walking alongside with a "cia- ramella" (reed pipe or flute) or other traditional farmers and shepherds instruments. O r i g i n a l l y m o u n t a i n m e n from the regions of Abruzzo, M o l i s e , a n d L a z i o , m o d e r n Z a m p o g n a r i c a n b e s e e n i n many city centers today. They t e n d t o r e m a i n i n t h e m a i n squares or walk slowly down streets so people can follow. While the Zampognari gener- ally play in cities during the holidays, in the countryside it is somewhat of a tradition. They often play at rituals or proces- sions or festivals in Basilicata, Molise, and Abruzzo. As south- erners migrated to the north, Zampognari began appearing more in cities like Bologna and Verona. Today they have a great presence in Milan. The Zampognari come out to p l a y o n D e c e m b e r 8 f o r t h e F e a s t o f t h e I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n a n d s t a y d u r i n g S u n d a y s d u r i n g t h e s e a s o n . Z a m p o g n a r i o f t e n r e p r e s e n t shepherds in the nativity scene. T h u s y o u c a n a l w a y s b u y a nativity scene souvenir with Zampognari figurines playing next to Jesus' crib. Many wish that the musicians would stay and play throughout t h e w h o l e y e a r . " T h e Zampognari tradition where I l i v e i s s t r i c t l y b o u n d t o Christmas. I wish I could hear them play other songs at differ- ent times during the year," said Lisa. Christmastime brings special joy for children and families everywhere. Channel your inner Lisa or Filippo this December and listen to the Zampognari at your local Italian square. Zampognari often play "Quando Nascette Ninno", the original version of Italy's favorite Christmas carol "Tu scendi dalle stelle" Sounds of the Zampognari at Christmas Originally mountain men from the regions of Abruzzo, Molise and Lazio,modern zampognari can be seen in many city centers

• Cover