It's Tuesday evening in the heart of Cagliari's Marina district, amid ancient alleys and warm lights. Inside a venue in the Sant'Eulalia complex, with walls steeped in history, the first notes of the Cagliari Choir rise. Founded in 2022 almost as a joke, among friends and glasses of wine, the choir now has a distinct identity: it's all-male, deeply rooted in Nuoro tradition, but named after the city.
"The choir was founded by people from the province of Nuoro," explains Bastiano Pugioni, artistic director, "who share a passion for traditional Sardinian music and a desire to be together. We realized there wasn't an institutional choir in Cagliari, and we thought: why not call it the Cagliari Choir?"
At first, they were friends who sang for fun. Fabrizio Gungui, from Mamoiada, and Giannetto Zori, from Orune, suggested joining forces: "I was 'hooked' during a grape harvest in Ussana," Pugioni says. "We went to lunch in the countryside, and that's where the idea came from. We weren't experts, but we wanted to have fun, and that sparked, first and foremost, a spirit of friendship."
Today, the choir has over twenty voices and ranges from twenty-year-olds to eighty-year-olds, with a bond that goes beyond music: "When twenty of us sing, the quality improves, and everyone learns together. Continuity is needed, because choral singing isn't an isolated talent, but a collective effort. We're not professionals, we're passionate amateurs, but Maestro Boris Smocovich, who arrived in Cagliari as a child, with his international experience, helps us grow and shape our project."
Rehearsals are generally held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM, and always conclude with the "third half," a convivial moment where friendships and new connections are strengthened. The venue, in the Marina district, was made available thanks to the efforts of Gianluca Mureddu, regional president of the Centro Commerciale Naturali (Natural Shopping Centers) and choir member, and Don Marco Lai, director of Caritas.
"We're international champions of the third movement," Pugioni smiles, "but really it's about getting to know the choir members better, chatting, and inviting new ones. The formula has worked: we've attracted curious and new singers, some stay, some become friends with the choir, but everyone shares the same passion."
But the Cagliari Choir isn't just about singing: it's a cultural presence in the city. From Christmas markets to summer evenings, the choir's male voices enliven the streets and bring joy. "When we arrived, the city welcomed us with open arms, and this is our way of giving back to the city that adopted us as children. Even though many of us have commitments outside the province, we ultimately continue to stay and live here."
The Choir also carries out projects such as Boghes, promoted with the support of the Region , which brings together seven choirs with performances based on historical and musical research: "Last year we explored Deus ti Salvet Maria, this year the common thread will be Procurade 'e Moderare, with contributions from experts and academics. We want to blend tradition and research, making choral performances a moment of culture and community."
Despite its growing popularity in just a few years, the choir still focuses on the island, but dreams of becoming known abroad: "We've already got in touch with Sardinian groups in Italy," says Pugioni, "and as soon as we move, the music will make us feel at home everywhere. It's a passion that transcends distance."