Introduction

Italian folk music reflects a long and diverse history. National unification occurred relatively late on the Italian peninsula, allowing its many hundreds of regional cultures to retain distinct musical traditions. Italy’s geographic position—at the southern edge of Europe and central to the Mediterranean Sea—has contributed to a wide array of external influences. Celtic, Slavic, Arabic, Greek, Spanish and Byzantine musical elements are readily apparent in regional styles. Italy's mountainous geography and the historical dominance of small city-states further encouraged the persistence of localized traditions.