Balentes

Balentes is an Italian female vocal trio. Their names are Federica Putzolu, Stefania Liori and Pamela Lorico.

The group brings the traditions and language of their region, Sardinia, into their music. Sardinia is an island with an ancient and fascinating history. The rugged beauty of the sea and the forests mingle with the ancient customs of its people. Similarly, the voices of Balentes create harmonies that are both primitive and finely structured.

The music of Balentes is a blend of traditional and modern, simple and refined, islander and universal. The vocal harmonies move between sophisticated chords and unexpected progressions, inducing deep and cathartic feelings. Their genre is hard to define, shifting from jazz to folk and from pop to world music. Their lyrics tell the stories and customs of the people of Sardinia, which mirror the strength and the fragility of all men and women.

The group was formed in the mid-1990s and has so far released four studio albums. The single Cixiri was a massive hit in the summer of 2003. The Balentes have had several line-up changes over the years, with some formidable vocalists from the Sardinian scene: Elena Nulchis, Giuliana 'Lulli' Lostia and Elisabetta Delogu.

Currently, most of the music is composed by accordionist Pier Paolo Liori, while lyrics are mostly written by Stefania Liori.