The Cathedral of St. John The Divine
1047 Amsterdam Ave. at 112 St., New York City

World renown virtuoso guitarist - composer & multi-instrumentalist, John La Barbera, announces the first in a series of workshops focusing on the passionate, melodically rich and enduring -- alluring rhythms of "Chitarra Battente" and the music of the Mezzogiorno that has captivated the hearts of people worldwide for centuries.

" John La Barbera's stunning compositions and phenomenal playing, along with the entire ensemble's spirited performance, put this recording (Earth, Sun and Moon) in a class by itself."
LYRICHORD DISKS

Guitarist, mandolin players as well as, vocalists, percussionists, violinist & flautist are invited to join in this unprecedented, ensemble workshop and celebration of Southern Italian Folk Music. La Barbera promises to take musicians of all levels on an enlightening and inspiring journey into this precious and rare Italian art form.

OVERVIEW:

For more than two decades, John La Barbera has been performing & teaching traditional
music worldwide. America's foremost master of the "Chitarra Battente, " LaBarbera - known for his driving rhythm and guitar virtuosity behind the groups "I Giullari di Piazza" and "Pupi e Fressedde" in Italy. La Barbera promises that the authentic styles and spirited rhythms of "Chitarra Battente" as well as a repertoire of rare and timeless compositions of Southern Italy - mined from his extensive 25-years of research will challenge, provoke and inspire guitarists and all musicians of all level and backgrounds. Musicians will enhance their command and appreciation of Italian Folk Music. Besides learning new rhythmic techniques that will enhance and expand their repertoire, each student will leave these sessions with a fresh and rich understanding of the enduring rhythmic approach to this timeless Italian folk music tradition.

Workshop Description
Basic Italian Rhythm Guitar Techniques:

This workshop will focus on the alluring rhythms and techniques used to accompany traditional Italian music. Most traditional music uses basic chords however, it is the correct syncopation or swing which actually drives the music and gives it the unique and authentically original style and character. The class will learn a wonderful variety of strumming and fingerpicking techniques for the following Southern Italian rhythms: Pizzica Pugliese; Tarantella Calabrese, Siciliana and Napoletana (Tarantella alla Montemarinese style);Ballo Tondo from Sardinia. The captivating rhythms behind Sicilian Waltzes and Mazurkas; and Italian love ballads are all part of this enlightening course.

All students who wish to enroll in this exciting workshop should have an understanding of basic chord structure and strumming techniques which include some alternate fingerpicking styles. Guitarist and all musicians enrolled will gain a greater rhythmic command of their instrument and expand your repertoire and knowledge of rhythmic techniques.

Fingerstyle Techniques for Solo and Accompaniment

This workshop is designed to develop a strong foundation for finger style guitar playing as it is applied to solo and accompaniment. Based on the principals of classical guitar technique, the student will learn to develop strength and control of both hands as well as the ability to apply a wide range of rhythmic styles through the practice of specific exercises. Also at the heart of this workshop are alternate bass; bass runs and fills; Flamenco style strumming (rasgueado) which drive the spectrum of Southern Italian Folk Music and give in essence "Chitarra Battente " its beauty power and resonance. The workshop will also explore a repertoire of several Italian folk music styles and reveal how it applies to the alluring rhythmic techniques covered in the course.

Chitarra Battente-The World's First Steel String Guitar Created in Italy

Chitarra Battente, is an original Italian instrument created in the 16th Century and it is the first steel string guitar ever created. It is ten-string guitar consisting of five double strings. Distinctly percussive and original in tonal quality the alluring rhythm sounds of "Chitarra Battente" alights the tarantellas and darkens the mood of the laments of Puglia and Calabria. This magical instrument has endured for more than 500 years and it is still played as a strumming guitar to accompany song and dance. In this unprecedented workshop, maestro, John La Barbera looks forward to demonstrating the resonant beauty as well as the timeless-classic rhythmic sounds of the world's first string guitar -- the Italian "Chitarra Battente." Students will also experience John LaBarbera's virtuosity through the enduring Southern Italian folk songs that he will perform during the course of the workshop.

This course will empower students to adapt the "Chitarra Battente" techniques to all forms of music in their repertoire and especially their instrument(s) be it an acoustic, electric guitar or mandolin. The "battente" technique explored in the workshop coincides with the frame drum rhythm to give the correct accent to the music. The original 16thcentury "rasqueado" strumming patterns from the Gargano region in Puglia are both passionate and electric. Traditional tarantellas and laments from this region as well as from Calabria will be demonstrated. This class is also well suited for percussionists.

16th Century Neapolitan Villanella

In 1537 Giovanni Di Colonnia published in Naples the first collection of songs called "Villanesche alla Napolitana". It signified the birth of a new style that interacted between the high and popular cultures of Naples. Using the vernacular poetry of the time these love songs wound up in the popular Commedia Del'Arte style of theater and were sometimes banned by the clergy. This class will explore the rhythmic and harmonic structure of several "Villanesche alla Napolitana" compositions as well as their original performance style.

Guitarist, mandolin players as well as, vocalists, percussionists, violinist & flautist and their instruments are all invited to enroll in this unprecedented, ensemble workshop and celebration of Southern Italian Folk Music.

The Italian Guitar and Mandolin in New York (early 20th Century)

At the dawn of the 20th Century the new wave of Italian immigrants brought to the shores of America especially to New York City the treasures of their Southern Italian Folk Music Tradition. The passion and poetry of the Neapolitan song and the virtuosity of the singers, musicians - notably mandolin, lute and guitar players and singers who infused the folkmusic with power and poetry, created a haven in lower Manhattan and from there, they took the United States by storm.
This workshop will also focus on the published music composed by Italian immigrants circa 1900 - 1940 and written specifically for the Guitar and Mandolin Trio (1st and 2nd mandolin with guitar accompaniment). All students enrolled should be able to read music for examples of these precious and rare ancient Italian and early Italian-American musical compositions will be distributed and performed during the course of the workshop.

Love Songs and Lullabies

A portion of this remarkable workshop will be devoted to gaining a basic understanding, practice and appreciation of the Canto d'Amore (love song) and Ninne-Nanne (Lullaby) of Southern Italy. Although this class is geared to guitarist, mandolinists, and vocalists - all musicians are invited to celebrate and experience this timeless Southern Italian Folk Song Tradition.

Schedules and Fees

Saturdays ( 11:00 am-4:00pm) ARRIVAL TIME 10:00am (includes a 45-minute break)
1st week….. Basic Italian Rhythm Guitar/Finger style Techniques
2nd week….. 16th Century Neapolitan Villanella/Love Songs and Lullabies

Evening Workshops : ( 6:30pm-9:30pm)
Tuesdays ……..The Italian Guitar and Mandolin in New York
Wednesdays… The Chitarra Battente

Tuition: A $25 REGISTRATION FEE is required.

Saturday Workshops
Single Day… $100
2 Saturdays… $175

Evening Workshops:
1 evening class.. $80
2-evening class…$150

LOCATION:
Cathedral Choir room 1st floor of Cathedral. ( Entrance on 111thSt . next to guard booth.)

REGISTRATION FORM

John LaBarbera, guitarist and composer, whose familiarity and experience with traditional Southern Italian and ancient Mediterranean musical forms have enabled him to develop a unique style of playing and composing. Upon graduating from the Hartt School of Music (Hartford, Conn.) in 1973 with degrees in classical guitar and composition, he was awarded a scholarship to study in Siena and Florence, Italy. While living in Italy during the 70's he began his field research and learned the techniques for playing traditional guitar styles while performing with "Pupi e Fresedde", one of the most influential music and theater groups of "musica popolare" from that time.

Since then he has transcribed and arranged an entire collection of Southern Italian Folk music. Co-founder with vocalist/percussionist Alessandra Belloni of the Italian Music Theater and Dance troupe, "I Giullari di Piazza", together they have produced a wide repertoire based on extensive research into music and ritual theater. Founded in 1979, they have been Artist in Residence at New York University for 10 years and currently Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He is the musical director of the company. John LaBarbera has composed all of the folk operas including:"Dance of the Ancient Spider" (premiered at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center);"Stabat Mater: Donna di Paradiso" (premiered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine); "1492-1992: Earth, Sun and Moon" (commissioned by Lincoln Center); "La Lupa"; "The Voyage of the Black Madonna"; and "Don Giovanni and his Servant Pulcinella".

He has toured regularly Europe, United States, Brazil and Canada both as soloist and with ensembles, including performances at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall, Madison Square Garden, Jones Beach Summer Theater, Central Park Summer Stage, World Music Institute, Symphony Space, and UCLA. He has been teaching for over two decades around the world including Siena, Italy; Bratislava in the Slovak Republic; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Among his credentials are several film scores including the Oscar nominated film about Sicily "Children of Fate"; "La Festa; and "Tarantella". His music has been recorded in several CD's including: "Sulillo Mio" and "Dea Fortuna" on Shanachie; "Earth, Sun and Moon" on Lyrichord; "Mediterranean Lullaby" and "Papa's Lullabies" on Ellipsis Arts; and is featured performer/arranger on Alessandra Belloni's CD "Tarantata - Dance of the Ancient Spider". His solo CD "In the Labyrinth" was produced on his own label ITRI MUSIC.