Project

During the research for its book on the life of Massimono Cometta (`L'ultimo Maestran di Arogno, Fontana editrice), Mario Delucchi came across a yet unknown manuscript of Massimino's theatrical comedy ``i Strii da Püs'', which has traditionally been performed in a previous published version by Arogno's schoolchildren.
In this new manuscript Massimimo also notes some bits of melody to go with the play. From this came the idea of taking these scraps of music and arranging them in a small piece. It was composed in 2005 performed at the publishing ceremony of the book.

The music

The music resulted in a small suite in four movements, one for each of the main parts of the play. Click below for the score and an audio sample (Performers: Katharina Huber (Violin), Benedetto Castelli (Trumpet), E.D. (Clarinet) Matthias Huber (Cello), Sergio Brivio (Contrabass) - for the recording we gladly acknowledge support of SRG-SSR Rete 2.)

• Barlozz I [score] [audio]
  One evening Mimì, a young girl from the village, is lost in the woods. As she seeks her way home, she stumbles upon the "sabbath" ("barlozz") of the witches. From behind a tree she shouts a phrase which in fact completes in a harmonious way the refrain which is sung by the witches. As a reward, they give her jewelry which shall help her marry.
• Barlozz II [score] [audio]
  It is now the turn of Filizz, a young and honest man with a buckle, to be lost in the woods. Also he meets the witches and can complete in a harmonious way their refrain. In reward, the witches remove its buckle and bury it in the ground.
• Barlozz III [score] [audio]
  Upon returning to the village, Filizz meets another man and tells him the reason for which he lost his buckle. The man is greedy and wants to go and find the witches in order to get rid of his goiter and be able to ask Mimì as his wife. He goes and finds the witches but its suggestion for completing the refrain is not as harmonious as the others. Instead of freeing him of its goitre, the witches dig out Filizz's buckle and apply it on the man's back.
• Festa in piazza [score] [audio] In the village, Filizz and Mimì marry. There is dance and music in the streets.