instrument similar to the Greek aulos. Launeddas are used to play a complex style of music that has achieved some international attention, especially Dionigi Burranca, Antonio Lara, Luigi Lai and Efisio Melis; Burranca, like many of the most famous launedda musicians, is from Samatzai in Cagliari. An ancient instrument, dating back to at least the 8th century BC, launeddas are still played during religious ceremonies and dances (su ballu). Distinctively, they are played using extensive variations on a few melodic phrases, and a single song can last over an hour. The ottava, or eight-line stanza, is a common lyrical form in Sardinia, one which allows the performer a certain amount of improvisation and is not unlike the stornello of south-central mainland Italy. Rural polyphonic chanting of the tenores is sung with four vocal parts. They are bassu, mesa boghe, contra and boghe (respectively to be properly translated to English from Sardinian as "bass", "middle", "counter" and "soloist"). The most popular group is Tenores di Bitti. In November 2005, the Cantu a Tenore vocal style of the Sardinian pastoral culture was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Sacred gozos, or sacred songs, can be heard during religious celebrations, sung by choruses like Su Cuncordu 'e su Rosariu. Other influential Sardinian musicians include Totore Chessa (organetto), Maria Carta (singer), Mauro Palmas, Elena Ledda and Suonofficina, Cordas et Cannas, Paolo Fresu (trumpet), Gesuino Deiana (guitar), Tazenda, Marisa Sannia. List of Italian folk songs by region Friuli: Quel mazzolin di fiori Lombardy: La Madunnina, Dormi, dormi, bel Bambin Piedmont: Veneto: The Carnival of Venice Emilia-Romagna: Romagna mia Tuscany: Firenze sogna Latium: Arrivederci Roma, Chitarra romana, La Romanina Abruzzo: Reginella campagnola Campania: , , , O Marenariello, O Mari, ’O sole mio, , Torna a Surriento Calabria: Calabrisella mia, Riturnella, Vigna Sicily: , , Notes Lomax, Alan (1956). "Folk Song Style: Notes on a Systematic Approach to the Study of Folk Song." Journal of the International Folk Music Council, VIII, 48–50. References Bibliography Magrini, Tullia (2001): 'Italy: Traditional Music', "Grove Music Online". ed. L. Macy. Retrieved 1 February 2006. Surian, Alessio. "Tenores and Tarantellas." World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Ed. Simon Broughton, Mark Ellignham, and Richard Trillo. London: The Rough Guides., 1999, 189-201. Sorce Keller, Marcello. "Italy" in James Porter, Timothy Rice and Chris Goertzen (eds.), Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: Europe, New