A traditional long-necked plucked string instrument from southern Italy, resembling a lute or mandolin, used in folk music and regional celebrations.
From Italian, possibly derived from Arabic or Greek influences in southern Italy's musical tradition; the term reflects Mediterranean cultural exchange through music.
The calascione is nearly extinct, known mainly through recordings and revival efforts—but when folklorists revived interest in it, they discovered it had influenced early guitar designs across Europe.
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