A transnational perspective is needed to understand not only the nature and development of the migratory flow of Italian people to Australia, but also the ongoing interactions of Italians in Australia with families in Italy and elsewhere in the diaspora. This chapter provides background to the papers contained in the rest of the volume, which address many different dimensions of the musical role of Italian immigrants in Australia. After providing an overview of the characteristic features of Italian immigration to Australia, including the predominance of immigration from poor peasant backgrounds, the chapter provides a framework for understanding the diversity of musical expressions of Italianness in the Australian context.Australian Research Counci
