I "VIGGIANESI"

You know that the term “viggianesi” generally refers to wandering musicians, because the first pilgrims came from Viggiano, traveling from place to place and tuning their harps to perform their songs.
In Bordeaux, I met many of them; some traveled throughout France, while others had left—or would leave—for America, and many of them, during their temporary stay here, expressed a desire to accompany the pieces I played on my instrument with the harp.

Some did so with great skill; but in general, these itinerant musicians play by ear, without any formal knowledge, constantly following people with the same dreadful tunes. Therefore, they cannot be compared to the inspired troubadours of the Middle Ages, who, welcomed into splendid courts, invented, wrote poetry, performed at tournaments, jousts, and festivals, refining manners and inspiring genius in the two sister arts.