That reed, picked up almost by chance, a prolonged blow, and the sound that comes out. We are in the Nuragic era, and the launeddas—in the fictionalized account by Sergio Mascia, a native of Villaputzu living in Tortolì (he works as a sports and music instructor at the diocesan oratory)—were born this way. He describes it in the book "Launeddas, between Legend and Reality" (Enrico Spanu Editions), which he will present (along with Giacomo Mameli, with a reading of some excerpts by Maria Cesarina Cireddu) today, May 2nd, at 5 pm in the former Villaputzu Town Hall (ExMu Hall).
"The idea for the book," Mascia explains, "stems from a desire to tell the story of the launeddas not just as a musical instrument, but as a symbol steeped in history and mystery. I researched extensively, but above all, I imagined how this wonderful instrument might have come into being. I have my own personal vision."
In love with his hometown (as a young man, he was a talented footballer with a lethal left foot), in his book he referenced three of Villaputzu's greatest launeddas masters: Efisio Melis, Antonio Lara, and Aurelio Porcu. The preface was written by the greatest living master, Luigi Lai: "An honor for me. He was one of the first to read the book," adds Mascia, "and he was moved. He told me it took him back to his childhood." The book took three years to develop, Mascia's third.
