Zampognaro, Shepherd with Bagpipe. "A Shepherd's Gift, A Joyous Melody, Proclaiming The News!"  A New Figurine for the Nativity Collection for 2012.  This piece will be distributed in limited quantities for Quarter 4 2012 and full distribution 2013.

Artist Susan Lordi’s Inspiration for Zampognaro, the
bagpiper:

“I love the idea of bringing music to the Nativity…and I
wanted to portray an instrument that’s traditionally been used for that
purpose.

“My son is immersed in the preservation of indigenous music
in the regions of Italy and Sicily, from where my grandparents immigrated.  He’s re-introduced an authentic musical
tradition to our family by learning about and playing the zampogna, the Italian
bagpipe (pronounced zam-pone-ya).

“The bagpipe is an ancient pastoral instrument played by
shepherds and farmers for thousands of years, and is used in many cultures to
celebrate the nativity.  In present day
Italy, the zampognaro (Shepherd with bagpipe) plays the Novena, the nine days
leading up to Christmas…a celebration and announcement of the birth of Christ.

“The music is festive and vibrant, accompanied by singing
and dancing.  It’s a time of reunion and company
– heralding the arrival of the holidays. 
It’s the Italian version of caroling – people gather, singing songs
passed down through the generations.

“The zampogna is a humble shepherd’s instrument, yet it
produces rich texture of melody and rhythm. 
I like the thought of this joyful, symphonic music surrounding the
nativity scene.”

-Susan Lordi-Artist and Sculptor