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Concerts - Association - Proposals - Productions - Discography Radio-TV - Audio-visuals - Collaborations - Press cuttings  Radio WXPN studios (Philadelphia), with Gene Shay - Photo by Nick Buffone |
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Concerts  Since 1995 DisCanto have given hundreds of concerts in various cultural and gastronomic exhibitions and events in Italy, France, Germany , Holland and USA . The most important concerts were at the “Centro Flog” in Florence, at the Folk Studio in Rome, in Frankfurt for the exhibition “I Piceni, popolo d'Europa” in Milan, in Aja (Holland), in Berlin for an exhibition on Abruzzo culture and gastronomy, in cultural centers in the north of France and in Philadelphia, Scranton (PA), Brick Township (NJ) e Wilmington (DE). Furthermore, the band played for the occasion of Ciampi's visit to the town of Fossacesia (at that time Ciampi was Italian Minister), at the opening ceremonies for the Jubilee with the Youth Orchestra of Abruzzo in L'Aquila and Lanciano, at the festival “Etnitalia” in Maratea (PZ). They also collaborated with the “Insieme Strumentale S.Aquilano” in the theatrical plays “La Madonna Pullarola” and “La luna si fermò di Camminare”, toured in many cities in Abruzzo, and in the province of Cagliari, in Sardinia, with the Coro Polifonico di Sulmona and the actor Domenico Turchi in the play “Venite Pastores” and for the “International Convention of Dialectology” at Sappada (BL). They also played with famous musicians such as the percussionist Karl Potter, Mario Salvi and Raffaele Inserra, Alfio Antico, with bands from other regions, African musicians, etc.
1995 August Sulmona (AQ) Montone (TE) Festival “Tra il sole e la luna” Frisa (CH) Frisa Festival November Roma al FolkStudio 1996 April Roma al FolkStudio July L'Aquila – Collemaggio “Follie d'estate” August Scanno (AQ) – Scanno Estate Frosolone (IS) – Festa delle tradizioni Rivisondoli (AQ) – “Freddoferrocaldo” Villetta Barrea (AQ) Campo di Giove (AQ) 1997 Aprile  Roma – FolkStudio May Pacentro (AQ) June L'Aquila – Festa della Musica July S. Stefano di Sessanio (AQ) Cagnano Amiterno (AQ) August Sulmona (AQ) Campo di Giove (AQ) 1998 May Pescara – Concerto aperitivo Pescasseroli (AQ) June Leofara (TE) - Notte delle Paure Bisenti (TE) L'Aquila – Festa della Musica Colleferro (Roma) July  Sulmona - con Karl Potter Pescara Montorio al Vomano (TE) Popoli (PE) – Echi Festival Arquata del Tronto (AP) Vasto (CH) – Cammini europei Campo di Giove (AQ) August Arsita (TE) Castel di Sangro (AQ) Vasto (CH) – Cammini europei Pescara – Decennale della rivista D'Abruzzo Civitella Alfedena (AQ) Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ) September Sulmona Capestrano (AQ) Campo di Giove (AQ) October Roma – Corto circuito Bisenti (TE) Mosciano S. Angelo (TE) Leofara (TE) November Capestrano (AQ) - Bosco di Bistorco December Capestrano (AQ) -con Karl Potter 1999 March Fossacesia (CH) alla presenza dell'allora Ministro Ciampi April Pescara - Gli alianti Maggio  Pacentro (AQ) - Concerto in montagna June Prati di Tivo (TE) - Assemblea nazionale WWF Sulmona (AQ) - Festa della Musica July Treglio (CH) L'Aquila – Festa dei Parchi Pescara – Oro d'Abruzzo Vasto – con R. Inserra e M. Salvi August Pretoro (CH) Roccamorice (PE) Gamberale (CH) Poggio Picenze (AQ) Roccacaramanico (PE) Pacentro (AQ) Fara San Martino (CH) Vasto (CH) Serramonacesca (CH) Civitella Alfedena Anversa degli Abruzzi (AQ) Pescocostanzo (AQ) Pacentro (AQ) September Roma – La Borghesiana Fossa (AQ) Sulmona (AQ) Massa d'Albe (AQ) Musellaro (PE) Aglioni di Capitignano (AQ) October Morino (AQ) - Zompo lo Schioppo Bisenti (TE) Paganica (AQ) - Villa Dragonetti November Cortino (TE) Gubbio (PG) December L'Aquila – Concerto apertura Giubileo Lanciano (CH) - Concerto apertura Giubileo 2000 January Cortino (TE) Navelli (AQ) February Francoforte (Germania) March Roccaraso (AQ) – Istituto Alberghiero Pescasseroli (AQ) April Pratola Peligna (AQ) L'Aquila – Basilica di S. Bernardino Cortino (TE) Paganica (AQ) May Chieti – Museo Archeologico Cervara (Roma) Roccaraso (AQ) – Istituto Alberghiero L'Aquila – Internauti (diretta radiofonica e web) July Treglio (CH) Fossa (AQ) S. Benedetto in Perillis (AQ) Rocca di Cambio (AQ) Pescara – Porto turistico Villa Badessa (PE) August Prata D'Ansidonia (AQ) Ocre (AQ) S. Martino Bominaco (AQ) – Chiesa S. Maria Assunta Città S. Angelo (PE) Caporciano (AQ) con l'Insieme strum. "S. Aquilano" Arsita (TE) Cugnoli (PE) - "La Madama Pullarola", con l'Insieme strum. "S. Aquilano" S. Felice d'Ocre (AQ) - "La Madama Pullarola" Capestrano (AQ) - "La Madama Pullarola" Civitaretenga (AQ) - "La Madama Pullarola" Campo di Giove (AQ) Ovindoli (AQ) Castel del Monte (AQ) Tione (AQ) con l'Insieme strum. "S. Aquilano" Poggio Picenze (AQ) Spoltore (PE) - "La luna si fermò...", con l'Insieme strum. "S. Aquilano" Castel del Monte (AQ) - "La Madama Pullarola" Luco dei Marsi (AQ) - "La Madama Pullarola" September Cortino (TE) Sulmona (AQ) Fossa (AQ) - "La luna si fermò..." L'Aquila - "La luna si fermò..." October Lanciano (CH) - "La Madama Pullarola" November Sulmona (AQ), con Romina Masi Teramo Cagliari e provincia - "La luna si fermò..." (7 repliche) December L'Aquila Castelvecchio Subequo (AQ) Ortona (CH) Pizzoferrato (CH) 2001 January Goriano Sicoli (AQ) Castelnuovo di S. Pio delle Camere (AQ) February Milano – Borsa del turismo March Sulmona – Giostra cavalleresca April Berlino 3 concerti May Jesi (AN) Penne (PE) - con Domenico Turchi June Morino (AQ) – Zompo lo schioppo Villalago (AQ) – concerto in montagna July Tocco Casauria (PE) August Città S. Angelo (PE) Pacentro – con Domenico Turchi Castelvecchio Calvisio (AQ) Calascio (AQ) S. Stefano di Sessanio (AQ) Castiglione a Casauria (PE) – con Domenico Turchi Cansano (AQ) Villa S. Lucia (AQ) L'Aquila Rocca di Cambio (AQ) Ovindoli (AQ) Sulmona (AQ) Castelnuovo di S. Pio delle Camere (AQ) November Teramo S. Stefano di Sessanio (AQ) December Monteodorisio (CH) Vasto (CH) Popoli (PE) Castel del Monte (AQ) 2002 January Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Aq) March Chieti - Teatro Marrucino April Penne (PE) - Oasi WWF June Piana di Navelli (AQ) - Centurelli Vasto (CH) - Villa comunale Maratea (PZ) - Etniatalia Folk Festival July L'Aquila - Università, Facoltà di Lettere Silvi (TE) - Centro storico August Castel del Monte (Aq) – Santa Maria dei Pastori Caporciano (Aq) - San Pietro Pescara - Stadio del mare con Domenico Turchi Civitella Alfedena (Aq) - Folk Festival Rocca di Cambio (Aq) - Piazza Agnifili Sulmona (AQ) - Sestiere Porta Manaresca S. Eufemia a Majella (PE) September 2 a Sulmona (AQ) Lanciano (CH) Barisciano (AQ) - San Colombo December Alba Fucens, Teatro Romano (Aq) Pacentro (AQ) - with Coro Polifonico di Sulmona and Domenico Turchi Raiano (AQ) - with Coro Polifonico di Sulmona and Domenico Turchi 2003 January Sulmona (AQ) - with Coro Polifonico di Sulmona and Domenico Turchi March Lurate Caccivio (CO) - L'Osteria dell'Alchimista Sulmona - Liceo scientifico per le scuole April Roma - Casale Garibaldi per "Finalmente aprile" May Roma - Casale Garibaldi Roma - P.zza Vittorio per "Intermundia" Morino (AQ) - Riserva naturale "Zompo lo schioppo" Sulmona - Cortile Palazzo S. Francesco Pescara - Auditorium "Flaiano" per la presentazione del CD "Tribù Italiche" della rivista World Music dedicato all'Abruzzo June Pescocostanzo (AQ) - Convegno Parco Nazionale della Majella Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ) - Castello July Sappada (BL) - Convegno internazionale di dialettologia 3 a Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE) - Festa del Parco Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga Amiternum (AQ) - Nel Teatro Romano con Alfio Antico August Villa S. Angelo (AQ) Pettorano sul Gizio - Fraz. Vallelarga San Benedetto in Perillis (AQ) - Concerto nelle grotte Guardiagrele (CH) - Centro storico September Celano (AQ) - Castello "Magia del fare" Fossa (AQ) - Teatro "La Fragolina" Fontecchio (AQ) December Guardiagrele 2004 May L'Aquila - Facoltà di Lettere July Penne (PE) Campo Imperatore (AQ) - Rifugio S. Francesco Barisciano (AQ) Roma - Isola Tiberina "Isola del Cinema" S. Valentino in A.C. (PE) August Peltuinum (AQ) con Arnoldo Foà Roccacaramanico (PE) - Majella Moon Festival S. Pio delle Camere (AQ) Tornimparte (AQ) Cansano (AQ)  S. Benedetto in Perillis (AQ) - con Alfio Antico Trio September Serramonacesca (PE) Sulmona - Giornata Europea della Cultura October Foggia - Teatro U. Giordano Sulmona - P.zza Garibaldi per l'anniversario del Touring Club L'Aquila - Auditorium "N. Carloni", Castello Cinquecentesco November Kijkduin (Olanda) 2 concerti Scheveningen - L'Aja (Olanda) Noordwijk (Olanda) December Nereto (TE) - Rassegna "Rievocazioni" di Terrateatro Roma - Trastevere, Chiesa di Santa Lucia in Gonfalone Corfinio (AQ) - con Coro Polifonico di Sulmona e Domenico Turchi Sulmona (AQ) - Teatro Comunale, con Coro Polifonico di Sulmona e Domenico Turchi 2005 January 3 - Pescocostanzo (AQ) - S. Maria in Colle, con Coro Polifonico di Sulmona e Domenico Turchi. 28 - Sulmona (AQ) - Comunità Montana, alla presentazione del libro "Colomba" di Dacia Maraini con l'autrice. February 14 - Roma - Teatro Valle, presentazione del libro "Colomba" di Dacia Maraini con l'autrice, Giorgio Albertazzi e Roberta Caronia. 26 - Marina di Ardea (Roma) - B Palace. March 8 - Sulmona - "L'altro 8 marzo", musica e solidarietà. 24 - S. Pio delle Camere (AQ) - Ristorante "La Cabina" per ospiti americani della "John Carroll University", Ohio. May 9 - Milano - Piccolo Teatro, presentazione del libro "Colomba" di Dacia Maraini con l'autrice e gli attori Giulia Lazzarini e Franco Graziosi. 18 - Sant'Omero (TE) - Palazzo Dauri, Mostra del libro "Leggere per crescere", con Dacia Maraini che ha presentato il suo libro: "Colomba", Rizzoli. 21 - Chieti - Parco Archeologico "La Civitella". 29 - Fossa (AQ) - Piazza Campione, "Strad'arte". June 18 - Corfinio (AQ) - Inaugurazione Museo Archeologico. 19 - Sulmona (AQ) - Festa per la Pace. 26 - Celano (AQ) - Castello Piccolomini, DiVin Castello. July 23 - Sulmona (AQ) - Largo Palizze, "La Panarda". 27 - Scoppito (AQ) - Festival di Amiternum. August November December March April May
July September December
MARCH |
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Association The association was founded in 1997 for the purpose to represent and to reveal the musical culture, in particular ethnic and popular music. The research in ethno-music launched in 1976 by the band " Vico del Vecchio " in the Peligna valley area (Sulmona and surrounding areas) gave precious material that with the passing of the years, has enriched until forming a large representation of various forms of expressions of popular music of Abruzzo. The material gathered, is today represented and reinterpreted by DisCanto in a very different form from that of traditional folk music and does not demand to be "philological", but it respects the lyrics and melodies thanks to the great sensibility of each band member. The principal activities of the association are: - To research, study and revaluate the popular music patrimony, in particular the one from Abruzzo; - The animation, social integration and reintegration in schools, institutes, prisons, and anywhere else were opportune; - The production and realization of shows and strictly musical reviews; - The production and diffusion of recordings. This research gave the possibility to gather: Songs of harvest Lullabies Night songs Funeral wails Popular dances Others A recording of singers of Pacentro is available on mp3 taped in the beginning of the 70's. The song has been re-elaborated by Michele Avolio and named "Monti d'Ore". |
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Proposals - Concerts of revised popular music of Abruzzo . - Concerts of ethnic music including songs and melodies from southern Italy . - Concerts of world-music in collaboration with notable musicians . - Organization of conventions and exhibitions in the field of ethnic music with the participation of experts . - Lessons-concerts in schools with the aim to develop the knowledge of traditional instruments such as the Italian bagpipe, tambourines and the voice . |
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Productions In 1993, in Sulmona (in the fluvial park), Michele Avolio organized a season of music, with the participation of “ReNiliu”, the “Tankio Band” and the “Arnaldo Vacca Esemble”.  In collaboration with the public-tourism office, he organized, at the theater of Sulmona,
the review “La zampogna, l'organetto e la voce” with the band “Il Tratturo” and “Acquaragia Drom” (January, 1998). In September, together with the city-hall of Sulmona, he organized “Mediterraneo e Dintorni” with the participation of the musicians Ambrogio Sparagna with Lucilla Galeazzi, Antonello Salis with Armando Corsi (see the photo), Mario Salvi with Raffaele Inserra and Michele Avolio. In December, he co-ordinated the review “Creare e Mostrarsi” at Capestrano (AQ) with the participation of Ziringaglia, Salvi, Inserra and Karl Potter with DisCanto. In September 1999, “Mediterraneo e Dintorni” with Ziringaglia, Peppe Consolmagno, Al Noujoum, Terza Maresca, Paolo Giordano and DisCanto. In August 2000, “Mediterraneo e Dintorni” with the Alfio Antico quartet and Nura. From 2003 he creats music laboratorys for the prisoners of Casa Penitenziaria di Chieti.  In 2004 – “Voci alle grotte”: trace a route at the discovering
of voice, a convention that took place at San Benedetto in Perillis (AQ).  In March 2005, together with the city-hall of Sulmona, he organized a concert at the "M. Caniglia"
theater with Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana for "Pasqua è primavera". In 2005 DisCanto held the Laboratory of popular song for G.U.T.A. (Gruppo Universitario Tradizioni Antiche), under the patronage of Università G. D' Annunzio of Chieti.  In august 2006 he provided artistic direction for the "Etnica in piazza" Festival at Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ) at which partecipated, in addition to DisCanto, Klez Gang and Alfio Antico trio.
(photo by Stefano Marziali)  In august 2007 he provided artistic direction for the "Etnica in piazza" Festival at Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ) at which partecipated, in addition to DisCanto, Lucilla Galeazzi Group and Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana.  (photo By Antonio Monaco) |
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Discography "A collection" (ed. DisCanto -2006)
Prodotto nel mese di settembre 2006 e indirizzato principalmente al pubblico americano, "A collection" è un'antologia di 15 brani che comprende 4 estratti dal Cd Dindirindella , 4 dal Cd Serenata fuori stagione e 7 brani registrati dal vivo il 30 maggio 2006 nell'Auditorium dell'Università "D'Annunzio" di Chieti. "serenata fuori stagione" (ed. DisCanto- 2005)
Recorded between October and November 2005, at the “Officine DisCanto” in Sulmona. Editing and mixing were by Michele Avolio, artwork by Maurizio La Morticella, and design and graphics by Sara Ciancone. Produced by the Associazione Musicale “DisCanto,” with the contribution of the Associazione “Pietro De Stefanis” of Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ). Michele Avolio served as production director. The music on the CD (with the exception of “Si cessa di dormir”) was written by Michele Avolio. The words and themes of songs 1-12 are drawn from the poetry of Vittorio Monaco. These texts appear in various publications from 1977 on and provide the basis for “The Songs of Zanna,” part of the repertoire of “Vico del Vecchio” (1976-95) and later “DisCanto” (1995-present), along with traditional compositions and others drawn from Michele Avolio's research. The texts of songs 13-17 derive from selected New Year's Eve serenades (1995, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 2006) composed by Marco del Prete for Pettorano sul Gizio's traditional celebration. Of much older origin, “Si cessa di dormir” was sung until the 1920's to accompany the begging in the streets and small piazzas of the village. Owing to the efforts of musician Silvio Setta, the New Year's Eve serenades have been performed annually until the present day. Michele Avolio: lead vocals, guitars, mandola, ciaramella (shawm) and percussion Sara Ciancone: cello, acoustic bass, percussion and background vocals Antonello Di Matteo: bagpipe, accordion, flute and percussion Massimo Pacella: violin and background vocals Germana Rossi: accordion, violin, percussion and lead vocals Massimo Domenicano (guest): accordion (tracks 1, 4, 5, 9 and 11) Danilo Avolio (guest): contrabass (tracks 1, 5, 11 and 12) “DisCanto plays much on dense, full-bodied vocal blendings and stresses of execution in wise contrast with lean arrangements never prone to inappropriate embellishments. The experience matters, and how!” Daniele Bergesio - World Music Magazine n. 77 March-April 2006 "dindirindella" (ed. DisCanto - 2001)
This CD was recorded between the 7 th and 9 th of June, 2001 in the church of S. Maria d'Asprino situated in the town of Barisciano (AQ) with the collaboration of Ascanio Cusella who also took care of the mixing and mastering, at Arch Studio in L' Aquila. It was published by Opti.me.s, in the town of Pile (AQ). The photography used was by Luciano Paradisi of Pratola Peligna (AQ). The front cover was designed by Marco De Angelis. The graphic art was cured by Prograph of Sulmona. It was produced by the Music Association “DisCanto”. The director of production was Michele Avolio. In the CD there are 15 traditional songs of Abruzzo that were gathered mostly in the central part of Abruzzo (Valle Peligna). There are harvesting songs, lullabies, serenades along with other types as well. The way they propose this research is not “philologic” but more a “craftsman” effort to re-elaborate the different expressions and make them more likeable to the younger generations. It was also very important to them to keep this cultural patrimony alive. The aim is not to forget but to keep alive what, differently, would be only scholars' and researchers' heritage or, at worst, would be lost for all. All the material gathered was verified by well known professors like Franco Cercone and Adriana Gandolfi; but the most interesting material came to them from the people who came to hear their concerts and talked to them after the show and shared with them their personal memories of what they heard within their family when they were very young. This helps to consolidate a repertoire which respects the popular culture of Abruzzo. The band: Michele Avolio: lead vocals, guitar and percussions Sara Ciancone: cello, percussions and chorus Massimo Domenicano: accordion and percussions Massimo Pacella: violin and chorus Germana Rossi: accordion, violin, percussions and vocals Maria Pia Teti (guest): vocals on St. Lucia COMPILATIONS "Canti popolari d' Abruzzo" (ed. Il Centro - 2006)  Published in december, 2006 by the newspaper "Il Centro". In the CD there are four songs of DisCanto: Addije, addije amore Retirate brigante Balla, balla pecureje Allegra, allegra "Abruzzo sound" volume 4 - etnica (ed. Ecamlab - 2004)  In the CD there is the song of DisCantoSignore si vu metere "Tribù Italiche" - Abruzzo (ed. EDT - 2003)  In 2003 the song “Addije, addije amore”was on the CD “Tribù Italiche” that came out with the “World Music Magazine” (n. 60) which was dedicated to Abruzzo. "Canti popolari abruzzesi" (ed. Il Centro - 1996)  In December of 1996 two songs by “Vico del Vecchio” (Quande nasciste tu and Retirate brigante) and two songs by DisCanto (Urta S. Pietro and Palazze fabbricate) were selected for a CD of popular music from Abruzzo enclosed in the newspaper “Il Centro”, for the newspaper's tenth anniversary. |
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Radio - TV In 1979, Radio Uno station of RAI (Italian national Radio and Television), chose Vico del Vecchio's song “Signore si vu mete” as the signature tune for a 12 episode serial program dedicated to the Abruzzo region. During the next few years he was also invited on shows by Radio Popolare in Milan, Radio Città Futura in Rome, and by many others as well. In 1980, RAI 3 of Abruzzo taped a concert at Teramo and dedicated a TV show “Ore 10: lezione di cultura contadina” (10.00 o'clock: lesson on peasant culture). In 1996 RAI UNO asked him to participate in the TV show “Uno Mattina”. In 2000 he was on the national TV show “Linea Verde” on RAI DUE, on a national radio show and on Radio Delta UNO which was also broadcasted on the Web. In 2001 he was on the TV show “Sereno Variabile” on RAI DUE. In 2002 he took part in the TV show “Il sabato del villaggio” on Rete 4, “La giostra del pallone” on RAI SAT International and “ Talk show numero zero” on Tele Abruzzo. He also took part in the radio show “Mattino 3” on RAI 3. DisCanto's songs are often played on the three national radio stations belonging to the RAI and on CHIN Radio (Toronto - Canada). Da marzo 2006 la radio statunitense WXPN propone in più occasioni i DisCanto al pubblico americano e in settembre la stessa radio trasmette un programma di mezz'ora (condotto dal popolare esperto di musica folk Gene Shay) dedicato al gruppo ospite in diretta. Sempre del settembre 2006 la registrazione di un programma di un'ora, completo di intervista, per il canale televisivo della Drexell University, trasmesso il successivo 28 novembre. |
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Audio-visuals Le musiche dei DisCanto sono state utilizzate come commento sonoro per: - il documentario "S. Franco Eremita" (2003), - il video "Immagini della Natività nel territorio abruzzese" (2004), - l'esposizione permanente del quadro di Michetti "I morticelli", tutti prodotti dalla Soprintendenza ai Beni Culturali di L'Aquila; i video - "Lungo le vie di Betlemme" (2005) - "Sul cammino degli Avi Pastori" (2005), prodotti dalla Pro Loco di Villavallelonga (AQ); - il dvd "Flavors of Abruzzo" (2005 ), produzione americana, "GoAbruzzo" di Philadelphia, PA; - il dvd " La Via degli Abruzzi" (2006) di Mario Piavoli della Zefirofilm; - il documentario "Diario di un bosco, un anno nella selva di Sante Marie" (2006), prodotto dalla Soprintendenza ai Beni Culturali di L'Aquila con il Comune di Sante Marie (AQ). |
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Press cuttings I files in formato pdf contengono gli articoli che hanno riguardato i DisCanto dal 1995 ad oggi. Dal 1995 al 2003 (10,6 MB) Dal 2004 al 2005 (8,41 MB) 2006 (10,1 MB) |
Associazione "DisCanto" - Viale delle Metamorfosi, 35/B - 67039 Sulmona (AQ) Tel. 0864 34920 - Cell. 338 8768897 info@discanto.net |
