The famous Vesuvius Ensemble will perform at McMaster this coming Friday. The three-man group is dedicated to the musical and cultural heritage of Naples and other parts of southern Italy.

Led by Francesco Pellegrino, the Italian tenor who performed at La Scala and now resides in Toronto, the Ensemble performs songs from the Italian countryside in dialects that have been passed on over centuries – finally researched and recorded in the 20th century. The songs are accompanied by Baroque continuo instruments (Baroque guitars, chitarrone) in combination with rustic string, percussion and wind instruments typical of the region (chitarra battente, colascione, tammorra, ciaramella).

The ensemble is currently teaching Italian Art Song at the University of Toronto. Although a classically-trained singer, Pellegrino also possesses rare first-hand experience with the traditional folk music of southern Italy. He formed Vesuvius Ensemble with the versatile Marco Cera (oboist with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and guitarist with Polaris Ensemble) and lutenist Lucas Harris.

“In the Shadow of the Volcano” will take place in Convocation Hall (UH-213) on Friday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors and $5 for students. Phone 905-525-9140 Ext. 24246 or email Concerts@mcmaster.ca for more information.

Further details are also available on the SOTA website.