The Insingizi, in Mestre on 7 February, are three singers who come from Zimbabwe and tell the story of the African continent in an original and engaging way through music made with the oldest and most authentic instruments: voice and percussion. The Insingizi interpret the classic African vocal style ‘mboube, the song of the Zulu workers recruited in the countryside and taken to work in the mines, made famous worldwide by Paul Simon and the Ladysmith Black Mambazo with the historic Graceland tour. These songs are often based on the responsorial (call and response) structure typical of African music: the leader sings a phrase and the other singers respond in harmony. But one also hears a surprising range of sounds inspired by nature, taking advantage of the phonetic variety offered by the language: aspirated and guttural sounds, warbling, the snapping of the tongue in the palate characteristic of Zulu, and a skilful use of pauses give the music of the Insingizi a rhythm that is truly unusual for a vocal trio. Rhythm that in the course of the concert is enriched with percussion and dance, which, as per tradition, is an integral part of every musical performance.
