Sommario
Lusitania: Canti popolari portoghesi, by Ettore Toci, is a collection of Portuguese folk songs and romances, translated and annotated, capturing the rich oral tradition of Portugal from the 15th century onward. The anthology includes diverse poetic forms like lyrical songs, dramatic ballads (xacaras), and mournful chants, reflecting themes of love, heroism, and societal critique, as seen in tales like "Don Gaifero" and "La Pastorella." These works, preserved through oral tradition and literary references, offer a vivid portrayal of Portuguese cultural and emotional life.
Toci’s translations aim to retain the original assonanced verse structure, drawing parallels with Italian poetic traditions.