The Trescone folk group
Tradition and popular identity
The Trescone is a lively and engaging country dance that originates from the rich folk heritage of Tuscany, particularly the Val d’Orcia.
It is danced in pairs in traditional country attire, to the cheerful sound of the accordion.
The Gruppo Popolaresco was established in Montalcino in 1941, after the shooting of the historical film “Pia dei Tolomei”. Numerous villagers were involved in the film as extras, and a group of them was assigned to perform traditional country songs and dances.
When filming came to an end, the memory of the carefree days spent with the “Maggiolata della Pia”, prompted some young people to meet up and form a group so that they could continue sharing moments of joy and tradition.
And so, the Gruppo Popolaresco di Montalcino was officially formed, later becoming a constant presence at the town’s traditional festivals.
The group quickly became a huge success: from the piazzas in the province, it moved to theatrical stages, where, besides dancing the “Trescone”, they also performed the “Manfrina” and comic sketches inspired by rural life in Montalcino.
The group performed in prestigious theatres such as the Accademia dei Rozzi in Siena, the theatre of Poggibonsi, and that of Colle Val d’Elsa.
After the Second World War, the group was re-formed under the name “Il Trescone”.
From World War II to today
A new generation of young people took part in the first edition of the Sagra del Tordo in 1958. The debut inside the Fortress was a success: Il Trescone immediately established itself as one of the main folk attractions of the renewed Montalcino festival.
In 1962, the show moved from the stands of the Fortress to the Archery Range, where the Districts challenge each other in the traditional Archery competition.
Since 1972, Il Trescone has also taken to the streets of the village, helping to create that festive atmosphere that makes the Sagra a unique event in the panorama of Tuscan traditions.
Since 1991, Il Trescone has also taken part in the Sagra del Galletto di Camigliano (the Camigliano Cockerel Festival), held every year on the first Sunday in October, bringing its merriment and history to this important event.
Currently, the repertoire proposed by the young men and women of Montalcino consists not only of the Trescone but also of five more traditional dances: the Manfrina, Galoppa, Giga, Ballo in Sei, and Sciotis.
The folk group has often accompanied Montalcino in exchanges with Italian towns and foreign countries and on many occasions has been invited as a significant and lively representative of the town in television programmes produced by local and national broadcasting companies.
