SeiOttavi are a voice ensemble that has embraced contemporary a cappella as their unique form of expression. Their performances are characterized not only by vocal polyphony, but also by the reproduction of instrumental, sound, onomatopoeic effects, as well as mouth drumming and beatboxing, all created using only their voices.
Since their formation in 2005, SeiOttavi have stood out for the originality of their repertoire and performances, earning widespread acclaim for their shows. Their first album, InOnda, was released in the summer of 2007, featuring original arrangements by the group. In spring 2010, they added to their discography with Cinematica, produced by Casa Musicale Sonzogno. That same summer, they released the CD Mons Regalis – L’opera del Duomo. Their third album, Vuccirìa, came out in 2015, followed in 2017 by a CD featuring the stage music for Aristophanes’ The Frogs.
In 2016, SeiOttavi were guests at two major Italian singer-songwriter awards. In February, they opened the first of the two evenings of the Premio De André at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome with a well-received interpretation of Volta la carta from Fabrizio De André’s repertoire. It was during this performance that Anna Graziani discovered them and invited them to represent the Premio Pigro – dedicated to Ivan Graziani – at Music Inside Art at the new Rimini Expo in May.
In April 2016, they debuted in the opera Le Streghe di Venezia by Philip Glass at Teatro Massimo in Palermo, in a new production with text by Vincenzo Cerami and direction by Giorgio Barberio Corsetti. It was the first time a character in an opera was performed by a vocal group.
In 2017, for the 53rd Cycle of Classical Plays at the Greek Theatre of Syracuse, Giorgio Barberio Corsetti once again brought them on stage with their original music, alongside Salvo Ficarra and Valentino Picone in The Frogs by Aristophanes. Following its critical and public success, the show was revived in 2018 for the 54th edition of the festival and was broadcast in prime time on Rai Uno, directed for television by Duccio Forzano. The show then toured nationally in cities including Rome, Naples, Palermo, Genoa, Brescia, Ancona, Pescara, and Empoli.
SeiOttavi have received numerous awards and honors. In 2007, they won the first edition of the Solevoci Competition in the vocal group category. The prestigious international jury, chaired by Kirby Shaw, also awarded them Best Song and Best Artistic Program. At the esteemed Vokal Total international competition in Graz (Austria), they received a Gold Diploma in the Jazz category and a Silver Diploma in the Pop category. In 2010, they placed second in the Jazz/Pop section of the 14th International Music Tournament.
They are also committed to ongoing training. In July 2007, they participated in Solevoci Camp in Cortina D’Ampezzo, and in the following years, they attended masterclasses with the Swingle Singers, Matthias Becker, Mary Setrakian, Andrea Rodini, Kevin Fox, Roger Treece, and other esteemed teachers.
They have appeared on numerous radio programs, both national and local. Notable national appearances include W Radio Due (with Fiorello and Baldini), Scatole Cinesi on Rai Radio Due, and Notturno Italiano on Radio Rai International.
They gained broader public recognition through their successful participation as contestants on the first Italian edition of X-Factor (aired on Rai Due, March–June 2008). Reaching the ninth of twelve episodes, SeiOttavi brought the style of a cappella music to the Italian mainstream, helping to introduce the genre to a wider audience.
SeiOttavi continue to perform regularly throughout Italy and internationally.