Music and dance are essential aspects of any community and
tradition, and in the Valle d'Aosta they are still alive and present,
thanks to groups of people that devote themselves to these important
cultural expressions.
Many choirs still propose the traditional singing
inheritance of the Valle d'Aosta, together with a more modern repertoire: "Tintamaro"
from Cogne, born in 1957, is probably the most famous choir, also
because Cogne is the place where a special singing technique ("reton")
originated.
Another group is the "Comite' des Traditions
Valdotaines", specialized in particular melodies and dances.
Folkloristic choirs and bands meet every year, in
May, in their "assemblee regionale" (the first edition was held in
1951): one week of shows in Aosta, ending on Sunday with the
performance, by all the groups, in a special arena in the town of
Fenis.
For tourists it is a good chance to spend one day
in the open air, listen to traditional music and songs and see some
historical costumes .
"Trouveur Valdoten" is another example of bands
researching the original music of the Alps. This band, born in the
early '80s, plays songs and melodies of the Valley and of the Alps
in general with traditional instruments (concertina, violin,
hurdy-gurdy and special drums).
There are also a few song-writers, like Maura
Susanna and Luis de Jyariot (pseudonym of Luigi Fosson), whose
repertoire represents the living continuation of the Valley's
ancient music.
