BOGHES DE CHEREMULE

THE CHOIR’S NAME

This vocal group has a Sardinian name BOGHES DE CHEREMULE (Cheremule's Choir), because it is formed almost exclusively of components from the small village of Cheremule in the province of Sassari, in the center of a region called Meilogu.

FOUNDATION AND ESCALATION OF THE CHOIR

BOGHES DE CHEREMULE , which inserts itself perfectly in the traditional folk choirs 'a cuncordu', that is with small groups of four equal male voices in the choir, was created at the end of 1993 by a few singers from Cheremule who wanted to retrieve old local folk songs, because of their sacred contents.
Thanks to some of the elderly inhabitants, themselves singers and also privileged witnesses of such traditions, the choir has brought back to musical scores all of Cheremule's musical inheritance, maintaining the original procedure of performance. In order to share this with others it was necessary to record and make known such songs.

The recording, which goes back to 1996, was preceded by the publication of a book.
After exploring the musical origins and following a scientific criterion during their research, BOGHES DE CEHREMULE decided to expand this research in order to learn more about other popular traditions in other regions of Sardinia. Directed by Pinuccio Solinas it has recorded hitherto unknown melodies that derive from the local communities of Anglona and Monteacuto. At present it is studying the traditional repertoire of the community of Meilogu, bringing back to life some musical passages that were almost lost for ever. Particular attention has been given to a reconsideration of some of these melodies; some 'single voice' songs have been arranged in order to be sung by the whole choir. BOGHES DE CHEREMULE has now a vast repertoire of popular Sardinian folk songs, that they perform in frequent concerts.

In autumn 2000 the choir has recorded CANTIGOS DE NATALE (CHRISTMAS CAROLS), a cd that brings together traditional Christmas carols from many different villages in the Logudoro, most of which have never been recorded.
In 2001 another musical anthology called I CANTI DELLA CIVILTA' CONTADINA (SONGS OF THE PEASANT CIVILISATION), a presentation box including 6 cd and a booklet written in three languages, which puts together 180 songs, 40 of which are performed by BOGHES DE CHEREMULE.

A few years ago BOGHES DE CHEREMULE had founded L'Associazione Tradizioni Popolari a Cheremule (Cheremule's Popular Folk Traditions Association), in order to discover and understand the origins of it's cultural identity.

Some of the choirs future artistic projects include the recording of customary Meilogu melodies, some religious psalms and various arranged traditional songs.

TECHNIQUES OF THE CHOIR'S PERFOMANCES

BOGHES DE CHEREMULE performs in the traditional Sardinian way with four different male voices: mesa 'oghe (half voice), boghe (voice), contra (double bass) and su basciu (bass); each of these four voices sing the words of the songs. The psalms repertoire is performed 'a cuncordu' (in harmony), even though some secular songs follow this procedure.

Another technique that BOGHES DE CHEREMULE tends prefer in it's repertoire is known as 'a tenore' (tenor mode); in this method the words are sung exclusively by 'sa oghe' (the voice) which imposes it's rhythm and guides the modulation. The other three voices of su tenore (tenor mode) accompany the song with senseless words that make sounds such as 'dilliri', 'dimmara', 'bimboi' etc. The tenor mode procedure is used exclusively for secular songs.

THE REPERTOIRE

There are more than 160 songs in Boghes de Cheremule's repertoire, involving both sacred and secular, from various Sardinian villages, that are sung exclusively by this choir. Some of these villages are: Cheremule, Thiesi, Bonorva, Giave, Pozzomaggiore, Romana, Ittireddu, Mores, Ozieri, Nughedu San Nicolò, Pattada, Alà dei Sardi, Berchidda, Chiaramonti, Martis, Laerru, Nulvi, Bulzi, Perfugas, Bosa, Nuoro. The geographic areas from which Cheremule's choir has obtained it's repertoire are Il Meilogu, Il Logudoro, La Gallura, La Bargagia, Il Campidano.

SHOWS AND CONCERTS

BOGHES DE CHEREMULE organizes and participates actively at many different shows and concerts, both folk and cultural, in which it demonstrates, safeguards and enhances the value of Sardinian traditions. In order to do this it requests a small contribution from the organizations that wish to make plans for a concert, merely for the expenses.

THE MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR

BOGHES DE CHEREMULE is made up of 17 singers divided in the following
groups:

Contact us at