Klapa – the Musical Soul of Dalmatia

(The article was first published on ToCroatia.net.)

Paulo Coelho, the renowned author of the best-selling novel “The Alchemist” said of the traditional Dalmatian music, "Listening to Dalmatian ‘klapa’ I realized that Croatians have soul that should be shown to the world..."

The term “klapa” is derived from the Dalmatian dialect, meaning “a group of people”. It is a kind of group vocal without instrumental sound. The medieval Gregorian chant is an early example of this musical form. The polyphony of a cappella church music began to develop in Europe between the 15^th and 16^th centuries. Dalmatia, under the Italian influence, gave birth to klapa in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

Klapa traditionally consists of all male vocalists. A group usually includes five to eight members although there is no strict rule. Modern klapa groups with only female vocalists are often seen nowadays. In addition to the traditional theme of spirituality, klapa singing has become the folk music in Dalmatia. The songs narrate the life stories, the emotional world and even the daily hardships of the Dalmatian people.

Klapa groups often perform on the streets of Dalmatian towns. The amateurs sing with great passion merely for their own pleasure. Klapa singing demands prolonged practice and unsaid cooperation. It is not only a performance of harmonizing the voices, but also an act of connecting the hearts. Both the performers and the audience fall into harmony. No wonder the local people consider friendship an important element of klapa singing. The klapa singers probably even helped each other to win the hearts of their ladies in the old days. Street performers also include those seeking a professional musical career. The klapa groups can show more people their music on one hand. On the other hand, they can sell their own CDs right on the spot.

In Dalmatia, concerts of all sizes cannot do without klapa. The concert “Ne Damo Te Pimso Nasa”, held at the end of every August in Split, gathers the famous klapa groups and musicians. Whenever a popular klapa song is played, the audience immediately joins the performers in chorus. Their singing rocks the stadium.

The Festival of the Dalmatian Klapas held every July in Omiš has played a great part in keeping the Dalmatian musical legacy alive. Many famous klapa groups have contested and won major awards since the festival began in 1967. The old town of Omiš is rather small. St. Michael’s Square, the venue of the event, is hardly grand. The festival itself offers no spectacular lighting and stage effects. Local people are embracing the event ever more simply because it passes on the soul of klapa music. Their forerunners were singing in harmony in the same old squares in their home towns as the musical notes were reverberating between the ancient stone walls.

I experienced live klapa performance formally in a New Year concert in Split. The performer was Klapa Šufit. I have fallen for klapa since then. The human vocal cord is indeed a magical musical instrument. The perfectly harmonized voices simply hypnotize the audience and carry them away.

‘Vilo moja’ by Klapa Crikvenica is my favorite klapa song. I had no idea what the lyric talked about when I first listened to the song. The sadly moving melody has captivated me. The chorus sounds almost like weeping and my heart trembles.

 

The picturesque scenery, together with the heart-stirring music, creates the fascinating Dalmatia.