What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Not having a boss.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
The two ambassadors sent by Montezuma to deal with Cortez. They had to dress up as Aztec deities and act like they had a complete understanding of the situation while probably having no idea of what was going on.
Which living person do you most admire?
To be dead seems to be a requirement to win my admiration.
Which is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I am definitely not the best communicator, which is probably the reason why I place a musical instrument between myself and the rest of the world.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Playing medieval songs for a living.
What is your favourite journey?
Considering how much I miss travelling, any journey would be more than welcome nowadays.
On what occasion do you lie?
Occasionally when I am interviewed.
Which living person do you most despise?
I tend not to indulge in those kinds of feelings but some members of the current Italian government are doing their best to change my habits.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
The fact the question implies my greatest love could be a ‘what’ rather than a ‘who’ is making me feel uncomfortable.
When and where were you happiest?
The day I realised that with a bit of luck I could actually achieve never having a boss!
Which talent would you most like to have?
I am OK with the talents I’ve got, I would just like to get a bit more of them.
What is your current state of mind?
Mildly depressed. I take this opportunity to advise the readers not to place any trust in anyone who’s not at least mildly depressed nowadays.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having convinced my parents at quite a young age that what I do for a living will not necessarily lead to my ruin.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be?
That would require reflecting on the state of my Karma.
What is your most treasured possession?
I am sincerely not into things.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The ominous feeling of not being in control of your own existence.
What is your favourite occupation?
Learning new things.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Awareness.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Awareness.
Who are your favourite writers?
Melville, Marx, Celan, Borges.
What is your motto?
“Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
Peppe Frana, along with Enea Sorini, will perform Passage Beyond The Seas: Songs of The Crusades as part of this weekend’s Galway Early Music Festival. For more information and tickets, see: http://galwayearlymusic.com/festival-events-2.
