Antonio Castrignanò and his ensemble “Taranta SoundS” performed a Christmas concert yesterday at the Théâtre Le Ranelagh in Paris. The concert, organized by the Permanent Mission of Italy to the International Organizations in Paris and the Consulate General of Italy, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, celebrated Italian musical traditions in the heart of the French capital, highlighting the role of culture as a bridge between communities and institutions.
A native of Salento, Antonio Castrignanò is among the most recognized figures in contemporary popular music. A musician, composer, and sound researcher, he combines the ancestral rhythms of the Mediterranean tradition with modern and international sounds. Performing alongside him were 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 presence of these artists further enriched a performance that intertwines roots, research, and innovation.
The Italian Permanent Representative in Paris, Ambassador Luca Sabbatucci, welcomed the more than 300 guests, emphasizing how “music is by nature a universal language: it crosses borders and speaks directly to emotions. Traditional music, moreover, possesses a unique evocative power: rooted in its own land, it narrates 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 Tourism of Roots, one of the most successful initiatives promoted by Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.”
The evening at Ranelagh saw Castrignanò and his band offer an energetic and engaging musical journey, characterized by frame drums, polyphonic vocals, and arrangements that blend folk roots and modernity. The ensemble ‘AC & Taranta SoundS’, composed of internationally renowned musicians, gave a concert that combined celebration, tradition, and innovation.
