This is a project that was forged little by little, pushed by proposals from festivals and without the rush of a recording obligation.
When Raül received an email from Maria Mazzotta to work together he had to refuse due to his busy agenda, but he fell in love with her voice. After a few years, on a trip to Puglia in April 2022 they took the opportunity to meet and play together. At that meeting Maria taught him many songs from the traditional repertoire of southern Italy and while they ate she told him the story of the pizzica taranta and what it meant in the society of southern Italy in the early twentieth century: women suffering from depression were told that they had been bitten by a tarantula and the only antidote to overcome the sadness that possessed them was to enter into a trance to the rhythm of the pizzica, dancing, singing and screaming in a way that in society was not allowed.
When the Festival Clàssics held in Barcelona commissioned Raül to write a piece about metamorphosis, he immediately thought of rescuing the repertoire that Maria had taught him in Puglia and reinterpret it to explain how music can be an antidote and healing for sorrows and transform us into other people, into celestial bodies that float in space forgetting their bodies. Raül's idea was to explain the need to enter into a trance by musically drawing an are that perfectly described the society of the time: lullabies, funeral songs, religious melodies ... until reaching the pizzica and its pagan and wild message.
These stories of Southern Italy in which they found liberation in musical trance are not far from the Greek Bacchantes where women conquer a territory in the mountains where they do not let men enter and eat raw meat, drink blood and adopt madness as a mechanism of expression. For this reason, in this re-interpretation of Apulian folklore, Raül has wanted to include a chorus of young women who sing in a popular way that broadens the liberating and feminine character of this repertoire.
About RAÜL REFREE
RAÜL REFREE is an artist of a kind and one of the most innovative european producers of the last decade. Known for his innovative approach to music and his ability to transcend traditional genre boundaries. he has made significant contributions to the contemporary music scene through his work with a diverse range of artists. Refree’s production style is characterized by its experimental edge and sensitivity, often blending elements of flamenco, folk, and electronic music to create rich, textured soundscapes. He has collaborated with notable musicians such as Rosalía, Silvia Pérez Cruz, LINA_, Lee Ranaldo, Niño de Elche, Rodrigo Cuevas and many more helping to craft critically acclaimed albums that push artistic boundaries. As a solo artist, Refree continues to explore new musical territories, showcasing his versatility and commitment to artistic exploration. His work not only highlights his technical prowess but also his deep understanding of music as a form of expression and storytelling.
About MARIA MAZZOTTA
Maria Mazzotta’s unique versatility makes her one of the most important voices of the music scene in the Apulia region of Italy and undoubtedly of the music of the World.
She was part of Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino; a band she recorded 6 albums with, participating in some of the most important international world music festivals.
Maria also integrated Notte della Taranta Orchestra directed by M° Ambrogio Sparagna. From 2011 to 2014, she was the soloist voice of the same festival under the direction of M° Ludovico Einaudi, M° Goran Bregovic, and M° Giovanni Sollima and has countless collaborations(Ibrahim Maalouf, Justin Adams, Rita Marcotulli, Piers Faccini or Redi Hasa to name a few)