Cara Kavisha,
I met you last week at the "Carers Vic" AGM where the coro performed, you sold me a C D. I just wanted to bring to your attention a series of C Ds which were compiled by a ethnomusicologist in the 1950s. He travelled through many regions of Itlay recording folk songs in situ which otherwise (I'd imagine) by now would have been lost.

I've bought the one on Sicily because for many years I've been looking for a recording of the Carrittera (carter's song) and to my delight have now found it. My grandfather (who has long since died)was a carrittero and when they left the town early at dawn, a long line of carritteri would chant these songs as they made their way to work.

My parents who are also deceased, use to recall these songs when they got together with paesani and sing them. I'm now in my 50s but as a child I'd find this chanting fascinating. I'd long thought that this chant was lost for ever so you can imagine my delight when I found a recording. It really did bring a tear to my eye when I brought it home and played it. These recordings are Issued by the Alan Lomax Collection and are called "Italian Treasury" they're sold at Readings Carlton.

You may already know about them but just in case you didn't I thought I'd let you know. I admire the work you do with the Coro, especially in restoring some pride in our background.

Distinti saluti,
Paolo.(name changed) 26/11/07