Corsica : Chants polyphoniques

Paghjella is a traditional Corsican a cappella polyphonic singing style characterized by three interlocking vocal parts—secondu (the central, leading voice), bassu (a low, droning foundation), and terzu (a soaring, ornamented upper line). The voices weave dense, beating harmonies rich in natural intervals and slight microtonal inflections, producing a striking, resonant sonority. Historically performed by male singers in both sacred and secular contexts, paghjella can be heard in churches (during confraternal and liturgical occasions) as well as informal gatherings. Its melodies and texts, sung in the Corsican language, often convey devotion, memory, and communal identity. In 2009, “Cantu in paghjella” was inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, underscoring its cultural significance and the ongoing efforts to preserve it.