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We’re excited to share a thrilling moment from our concert at the LAC in Lugano: “Sana Follia”, an electrifying composition by Marco Santilli.

Inspired by the legend of La strega della Biaschina, this piece paints the tale of the Corvaccia, a feared yet tragic figure whose reputation as a witch spread fear across the region of Giornico. Her crooked frame, wild black hair, and piercing gaze fueled superstitions, and the villagers whispered tales of her malevolent powers: cows that stopped giving milk, hunts that ended empty-handed, and sudden storms that ruined the harvest.

The name Corvaccia, meaning “hooded crow” in Italian, was a fitting nickname for the witch due to the bird’s symbolic and physical characteristics. Often associated with mystery, bad omens, and misfortune, the hooded crow evoked the same unease the villagers felt toward her wild hair, sharp face, and ominous gaze.

But the Corvaccia’s story took an even darker turn when she set her sights on marriage. After her husband’s mysterious death, suspicion thickened like the mist around the Biaschina Gorge. Despite the lack of proof, the townspeople grew increasingly restless and wary of her presence—until one man, Bastiano, came up with an unorthodox plan to render the Corvaccia harmless once and for all. But was his solution madness, courage, or a touch of both?

The performance captured every twist of this tale—the creeping tension, the mischief, and the unexpected humor—all wrapped in a musical journey that kept the audience spellbound.

🎧 Watch the full performance on [YouTube].

We’d love to know your impressions! What emotions did the music stir in you? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more stories and legends transformed into music!

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A story of healing herbs, magic, and the dark side of witchcraft. The powerful melody tells the tale of the fearsome witch, accused of poisoning her husband, and ultimately falling to her own vice. #When Jazz meets legend. 🖤
Una storia di erbe curative, magia e il lato oscuro della stregoneria. La potente melodia racconta la saga della temibile strega, accusata di avvelenare il marito e, alla fine, vittima del suo stesso vizio. #Quando il Jazz incontra la leggenda. 🖤
Eine Geschichte von Heilkräutern, Magie und der dunklen Seite der Hexenkunst. Die kraftvolle Melodie erzählt die Geschichte der furchteinflößenden Hexe, die beschuldigt wurde, ihren Mann vergiftet zu haben, und schließlich ihrem eigenen Laster erlag. #Wenn Jazz auf Legenden trifft. 🖤

Performed live at the Orangerie/Bonsai Garden, Zurich, featuring Marco Santilli on bass clarinet and Marina Vasilyeva on piano.

The Witch of Biaschina In Ticino, as everywhere, there were also good ‘witches’: women knowledgeable about herbs who knew how to heal sick animals and people. One such woman lived in Biaschina. However, she was followed by her malicious daughter, a true witch, who used her abilities to cast harmful spells. The people of the area lived in constant fear of her and tried to avoid any encounters. In the end, the bailiff was tasked with putting her on trial. She was accused of poisoning her husband and committing several acts of arson, but nothing could be proven. Finally, a clever man came up with the idea of exploiting one of the witch’s great weaknesses: her alcoholism. She eventually drank herself to death on the grappa reserves of the winemakers.

La Strega della Biaschina In Ticino, come ovunque, esistevano anche ‘streghe’ buone: donne esperte di erbe che sapevano curare animali e persone malate. Una di queste viveva in Biaschina. Tuttavia, la donna era seguita dalla figlia malvagia, una vera e propria strega, che usava le sue abilità per incantesimi dannosi. Gli abitanti della zona vivevano quindi in costante timore di lei e cercavano di evitare ogni incontro. Per liberarsene, alla fine il balivo le intentò un processo. Fu accusata di aver avvelenato il marito e di aver commesso diversi incendi dolosi, ma non si riuscì a provare nulla. Un uomo astuto ebbe però l’idea di sfruttare una grande debolezza della strega: la sua dipendenza dall’alcol. Infatti, ella si bevve fino alla morte tutte le riserve di grappa dei viticoltori.

Die Biaschina-Hexe Im Tessin gab es, wie überall, auch gute ‚Hexen‘: kräuterkundige Frauen, die kranke Tiere und Menschen zu heilen wussten. Eine solche lebte auch in der Biaschina. Ihr folgte aber eine bösartige Tochter, eine richtige Hexe, die ihre Fähigkeiten dazu benutzte, Schadenzauber zu verüben. Die Menschen des Kreises lebten daher in ständiger Furcht und versuchten, jede Begegnung mit ihr zu vermeiden. Um sie loszuwerden, sollte der Landvogt ihr schliesslich den Prozess machen. Man beschuldigte sie, ihren Mann vergiftet und mehrere Brandstiftungen verübt zu haben, konnte ihr aber nichts beweisen. Zu guter Letzt kam ein schlauer Mann auf die Idee, eine grosse Schwäche der Hexe auszunutzen, ihre Trunksucht. An den gesamten Grappa-Vorräten der Weinbauern trank sie sich schliesslich zu Tode.