‘Qualcosa che si deve sentire’

: Gender, Identity and Performance in the Trallalero Genovese

Abstract

The trallalero genovese is a variety of polyphonic folk music, traditionally sung exclusively by men, which originates from Genoa in northern Italy. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the number of active singing groups in this tradition has fallen dramatically, and now only a handful remain. This thesis will examine modern practices in the trallalero genovese through testimonies gathered from current singers, and will address the impact that the decline in the practice has had on the identity of these groups and their communities. Through discussing the role of the imaginary, nostalgia, and the use of symbols, the thesis will assess claims made by narrators that the tradition can be considered to be uniquely genovese.
The recent inclusion of women in some of these groups has caused significant controversy. Narrators claim that the introduction of the female voice fundamentally changes the sound of the music, and this study will assess this through comparisons with western art music. This thesis will also provide comparisons with other gendered singing practices, such as ‘trouser-roles’ in Baroque opera and the founding of girls’ choirs in English cathedrals. This study concludes by examining the role of masculinity in the trallalero, and how this has shaped singers’ expectations of the tradition on a social level.

Date of Award	24 Jan 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	John M Foot (Supervisor) & Pauline Fairclough (Supervisor)