El vito
El vito is a traditional folk song and dance music of Andalusia whose origins can be traced back to the 16th century. Its name refers to Saint Vitus, patron of dancers. It was created in the nineteenth century as a dancing song typical of the bolero. Includes steps of the art of bullfighting and is usually played by women. The typical costume includes jacket and brimmed hat.
The melody of El vito is played in fast 3/8 timeplayed on a 3/8 tempo, and it uses the harmonic minor scale for the ascending motives, and the phrygian mode, which is the most characteristic of Andalusian music, for the descending mode, which generates an harmonic accompaniment based on the Andalusian cadence. It is also sung with different lyrics, humorous or serious.
It also serves as part of the melody for the El quinto regimiento, an anthem of socialist and communist troops fighting on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War.
Folk duo Esther & Abi Ofarim recorded a version of "El Vito" for their 1967 album "2 in 3".
