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Rosa Balistreri - The Voice of Sicily

Favorite thing: No voice other than Rosa Balistreri's expresses so successfully the dramatic tones of Sicily that seems to be overflowing with pain but also of hope, interpreting age old feelings. She started singing late in her life. She had for years kept her vocation a secret not even planning a career. Her music moved from traditional songs to songs written especially for her, some of them her own compositions. Apart from singing in various theatres she also held seminars of popular music in several universities.

Rosa Balistreri possessed a voice that gave an impression of her whole life: the trouble, the pain, the clear cloudless skies of the Mediterranean summer, love and desire, the happiness of finding dignity and respect when you had given up. Although her voice is not exactly what might be called beautiful, it is nevertheless unique. It touches us on a subconscious level, making us realize the past more inhumane than most people have experienced. A voice from another time space, as strange to our ears as it is familiar in its timelessness.

Acidduzzu di Rosa Balistreri

Buttana di to ma

Rosa Balistreri's song Rosa Canta e Cunta, interpreted by Laura Campisi

The unique voice of a unique past, there is nothing more to say. But those words in her song remain.

When I die
act as I'm still amongst you
tell everyone
what I have told you myself
When I die
Don't feel alone
For alone I shall not leave you
As solely my body will be away.