Canti Populi
Canti Populi (Songs of the People) was
conceived as a tribute to three countries
which were home to the composer:
El Pajaro Chogui (Paraguay) tells the
story of a guarani boy who falls from an
orange tree, dies, and suddenly morphs
into the Chogui bird he was trying to
emulate.
Sweet Betsy from Pike (U.S.) is a sad
reminder of the misfortunes of many
who fell victim to the lure of gold,
especially Betsy and her lover who trek
to California in search of riches, but do
not succeed.
Blow the Candles Out (U.K.) was
published in the late 1600’s by Thomas
D’Urfey as part of a collection of poems
and songs. Here a young London
apprentice can only tryst with his girl in
her parents’ home with no candlelight!
