A-Nice (finto inno)

Velthur Tognoni’s A-Nice (finto inno) is a secular canon for two voices, sung in Venetian. The text opens with a rustic proverb, "Casso xe casso, buso no ga occi" (A sieve is a sieve, a hole has no eyes), suggesting a commentary on obvious truths or perhaps a lighthearted dismissal of the nonsensical. Tognoni’s setting uses the imitative nature of the canon to perhaps playfully underscore the simple, direct message of the lyrics. This work offers a charming example of Renaissance part-music conceived for two voices, with a text that feels grounded in everyday observation.