Salterio Ditali

These finger rings called “Ditali” are replicas of the only preserved original finger rings from eighteenth-century Italy. They are housed in the privat collection of Francesco Spada in Lecce and were attached to an original salterio that was found several years ago in the hunting hut of the nobleman Gennaro Bacile di Castiglione in Salento. Besides the instrument and the Ditali, the personal salterio repertoire of Bacile survived as well. This gives an amazing research case for the investigation of the plectra pizzicato, for which these finger rings are needed. After purchase, the salterio players have to cut their own plectra made of any bird feathers such as goose or turkey. These plectra are inserted in the slid of the ring and fixed at the lash. Playing with plectra gives a bright and sparkling sound color to the interpretation of baroque salterio music and is also very rewarding when performing in large halls or with huge instrumental ensembles.