While the performers have each built strong reputations within the Italian diaspora for their unique musical contributions, their collaboration as Mare Profondo is nothing short of a powerhouse. The power of music by the duo transcends cultural boundaries.
What makes this event even more intriguing is the backstory: Kavisha and Rosario first met 26 years ago. However, it was only two years ago that an unexpected turn of events led them to finally share a stage, sparking this dynamic partnership.
Kavisha laughs as she recounts the first time the duo “accidentally” performed together. Rosario was invited to jump on stage to join a performance at a fundraiser for East Timor. The result was an electrifying jamming session, to which “the crowd went nuts”. “Somehow the two musical genres worked,” she says. Since then, the duo has teamed up for a select few performances.
The Boîte, known for creating opportunities for culturally diverse music, is bringing them together for what promises to be an evocative evening of music, storytelling and song. The works of Mare Profondo are inspired by their shared heritage, experiences and their connection with the Mediterranean Sea.
The Boîte, now in its 45th year, focuses on promoting multicultural musicians and boasts a history of promoting musicians from over 100 different countries.
Under the proud leadership of acting director Therese Virtue, The Boîte remains steadfast in its mission to give voice to musical formats that might otherwise go unheard, particularly for migrants and the broader community. Therese, leading a small but dedicated team, highlights the organisation’s strong track record of ensuring every community is represented in their programs. This commitment underscores The Boîte’s vital role in fostering cultural expression and connection through music.
On this theme, Rosario explains that the strength of music is based on how it allows us to “know our own tradition”. “Then we can be open to the rich culture of others,” he explains, “We fear only what we don’t know. When it comes to music, there is a shared experience that transcends culture; it’s a human experience.” For Rosario, this power is important and is part of how he connects with the audience.
While both Kavisha and Rosario have graced The Boîte stage individually, their upcoming performance as Mare Profondo promises something unique. This collaboration will see them fuse their two distinctive styles and remarkable talents, offering a diverse repertoire. Expect a captivating song list that also includes traditional Italian music infused with a contemporary overlay, creating a rich and evolving soundscape. It’s an opportunity to experience their combined artistry in a way that’s fresh and truly evocative.
Kavisha is a composer, musician, songwriter, singer and choir leader. She explains that she started her musical journey exploring the Italian folk songs passed down from her father.
Over the years, Kavisha has been celebrated for her profound singing and songwriting talent, crafting songs that are rich, evocative portrayals of people’s lives and experiences, deeply rooted in the folk music tradition. Her unique artistry is a beautiful blend of her diverse family heritage: the influences of Ischia and the Mediterranean Sea from her father, and Celtic, Irish and Burmese roots from her mother. She infuses her music with a captivating soulfulness, creating pure musical magic.
Kavisha’s musical journey began in England, where her childhood home was constantly filled with melodies. Her maternal grandmother, a banjo player, sang Irish folk songs, and her father’s own musicality ensured a vibrant musical childhood. Music remained a strong link that connected her family with their heritage, despite another migration move when Kavisha’s parents migrated to Australia. This rich tapestry of personal history and cultural influences continues to shape and enrich Kavisha’s compelling and heartfelt music.
Rosario came to Australia from another part of Campania, Salerno. As a young performer he visited six times in only four years before deciding to settle in Melbourne. In Australia he was often asked to play traditional Italian music, and he drew on his cultural roots of which he is proud. “I connected with the audience through this music,” he recalls.
Rosario is a reputed guitarist who handles the intricacies of the instrument with a beguiling ease. He draws on a blend of influences: jazz, classical folk and contemporary music. He is quick with his fret work and imbues a vibrancy and soulfulness in all his music. It is no wonder that he has played with many well-known artists including Zucchero, Omara Portuendo (Buena Vista Social Club) and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
As diaspora musicians, Kavisha and Rosario understand their significant role as a cultural bridge for diverse audiences.
For migrants, their music offers a poignant connection to their native paese, conjuring memories of family, friends and a life once lived in a distant land. It’s a powerful evocation of nostalgia and belonging.
For the children and grandchildren of Italian migrants, Kavisha and Rosario become custodians of heritage. Through their stories and sounds, they evoke a rich cultural lineage that might otherwise fade, ensuring that this vital connection can be felt, understood and cherished through the music.
And for the broader community, Mare Profondo opens wide the doors to a vibrant world of Italian music, traditions and experiences of Italian musical influences through other songs in their repertoire. Their performances extend beyond familiar boundaries, inviting everyone to discover and appreciate the beauty and depth of a culture shared through song.
Kavisha explains that some of the songs they sing have been passed on from generations, beyond the confines of illiteracy, distance and difficult situations – the songs are testaments to people’s stories, their values, challenges and triumphs. For instance, the duo’s interpretation of Vulumbrella, a traditional Neapolitan song, is notable for both its vocal and musical range and tells an important story.
Rosario believes that his guitar enhances the traditional music. “The melodies and harmonies, it enriches the music through a more contemporary feel, without losing the roots, the strength of tradition,” he says.
The audience are in for a musica treat. Mare Profondo promise to play the song, Fisherman’s Daughter, the title song of the album for which Kavisha received an Aria Award for Best World Music Album. The song, dedicated to her nonna, tells the story of a fisherman lost at sea, leaving a young woman to grieve.
When Mare Profondo performs this iconic song, the haunting sound that underlies the guitar rhythms is simply musical genius. It’s a testament to the combined artistry of both performers.
Kavisha says her inspiration is “telling the truth through her music, even if the world sometimes like to hide the truth”.
Rosario is inspired by the power of music to relay messages which cannot be articulated through words. “The story of the music continues after the music stops; the experience and the message stays with the audience,” he says. “It transcends culture and enriches the listener.”
As for the audience, no doubt, they will come away enriched by a very special performance at The Boîte.
The Boîte presents Mare Profondo at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre on August 8. For more information, click here, or click the hyperlinks to learn more about Rosario and Kavisha.
