The Zither and the Ocarina

with Asaka Shirai and Luca Panetti

A sonic journey across centuries and continents: the workshop dedicated to the zither (chorded psaltery) reveals the secrets of an instrument with a fascinating history. Originating in Bavaria and spreading through Europe at the end of the 19th century, the zither found new life thanks to French Benedictine monks in the 1970s, eventually reaching Japan, where it gained extraordinary popularity thanks to the country’s rich musical culture.

In this session, participants will explore the construction methods and mechanical workings of the instrument. Under the guidance of Luca Panetti, an expert builder of organs and cetre since 1998, and with technical support from renowned performer Asaka Shirai, techniques of tuning and maintenance will be studied in depth.But it’s not just theory: the workshop will include presentations of various repertoires and plenty of hands-on experimentation with different models. Participants will have the chance to play, sing, and have fun together, discovering the energy of an instrument that, like the ocarina, unites distant traditions in a joyful atmosphere of shared music-making.