Baroque-style autumn

Italia’s Ambassador to Ukraine Fabrizio Romano and the director of Italian Institute of Culture in Ukraine Nicola Franco Balloni have initiated the new forum ITALIA FESTIVAL BAROCCO, which, judging by the bill, may become the main event of this autumn in our capital. It will be held in Kyiv October 23 through November 4.

Mr. Ambassador, please tell us how the idea to hold the Festival of Italian Music Baroque in Kyiv emerged?

“There is a number of reasons. I’m a very passionate music lover, especially classical music. Over more than two years that I have been working in Ukraine I have visited many concerts and noticed how well your audience perceives different programs that we jointly prepare with the Italian Institute of Culture. In particular, the concerts of baroque music that were held at the National Philharmonic Society in autumn 2012 and 2013, when Claudio Cavina with his ensemble La Venexiana and wonderful soloist Roberta Mameli (soprano) performed in Kyiv for the first time. Incidentally, last autumn these artistes performed baroque music in jazz interpretation and that concert was admired by music lovers. Taking into account so big interest of the audience, we have decided to hold the First Festival of Italian Music Baroque in Ukraine (ITALIA FESTIVAL BAROCCO) in your capital October 23 through November 4. The Ukrainian audience knows very well the music of Italian composers of the 19th-20th centuries, from Rossini to Puccini, and further – to Leoncavallo and Mascagni; but in Ukraine the works of the baroque time are scarcely known to the broad audience. It will be recalled that the creative work of Claudio Monteverdi in the history of music marks the transition from the time of the Renaissance to the time of Baroque. This maestro worked in many genres of secular and church music. The most remarkable are his madrigals and operas, in particular, the legendary Orpheus, an opera that is popular even nowadays. From Monteverdi’s creative work the Italian opera actually started as a genre, and this happened four centuries ago. I also want to add that our country is famous not only for her opera, but also the great repertoire of refined sacral music. Therefore we decided to dedicate our festival namely to baroque music, so that as many Ukrainians as possible, not only professional musicians, discovered this vast layer of Italian culture.

“Now Italy presides over the work of the Council of the EU and we wanted to mark this event somehow. It will be recalled that on July 1 we opened the semester of Italy’s presidency in the National Opera of Ukraine with the concert ‘Gala-Italy,’ where wonderful Italian and Ukrainian artists performed. And on September 16 the concert of brilliant pianist Benedetto Lupo launched the 151st season of the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine and at the same time our new joint concert cycle ‘Suono Italiano’ (Italian Sound). Your newspaper broadly highlighted these events. I must note that The Day is one of the publications that try to pay attention to every limelight cultural event and this is what attracts me as a reader.”

There is a war in the east of Ukraine. For this reason many foreign musicians are afraid to visit our country. Have there been any incidents when performers refused from taking part in the festival?

“No, there have never been such incidents. On the contrary, all performers we asked to come agreed to go to Kyiv with pleasure. While we were preparing the program, we tried to present for the Ukrainian audience the best Italian musicians and singers. It should be noted that the bill of the National Opera includes many Italian-Ukrainian projects. But we actively cooperate not only with the National Opera, but the National Philharmonic Society as well. For example, last week in Lysenko Column Hall a concert of young, but very talented Italian pianist Federico Colli with the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic Society conducted by famous conductor Roman Kofman was held with great success. Hopefully, the Festival of Italian Music Baroque in Ukraine will become a nice present for music lovers.”

What concert, lecture, or master class would you recommend to Ukrainian music lovers not to miss?

“I would recommend them to visit all the concerts, all the master classes, but I understand that theater-concert life is very rich in Kyiv, so the audience has a wide choice. I think music lovers won’t miss the opening evenings of our festival and performance of virtuoso violinist and conductor of world renown, Stefano Montanari with the ensemble ACCADEMIA BIZANTINA (the title of this ensemble is translated as Byzantine Academy). The works by Corelli, Vivaldi, and Locatelli will be performed. Incidentally, the recordings of the ensemble with Stefano Montanari have many times won prestigious international awards, including the prizes Midem and Diapason d’Or. The musician gives many concerts not only in Italy, but also abroad. His joint tour with Australian Brandenburg Orchestra drew wide response in mass media. Montanari authors the book Method for Baroque Violin.

“Within the program of the concerts, for example, FESTINA LENTE will present the works of composers that are rarely performed and Italian musicians will be playing authentic baroque instruments. Apart from that, at the closing of the forum (November 4) the world premiere in new time of trio sonata ‘La Foggia,’ composed by Carlo Mannelli, will be performed by the ensemble IL SOGNO BAROCCO (conductor: Paolo Perrone).”

Kyivites remember Claudio Cavina from his two concerts with the ensemble La Venexiana. What surprise has the conductor prepared this time?

“In Kyiv maestro has many admirers who have been lucky to hear his performances. He is a world-scale star and high professional in performance of baroque music. In his creative activity Cavina has many prestigious prizes. He is a musician who is actively touring and is known in the world owing to his numerous music discs. This time Cavina will perform as conductor and pedagogue. So, on October 27 and 28 his master class will be held in the Tchaikovsky NMAU with the participation of Ukrainian vocal ensemble Vox Animae, which will finish with the concert in the Small Hall of Conservatoire: the works of Monteverdi will be performed. On October 30 the maestro will conduct the chamber choir Credo. The works by Monteverdi, Marini, and Castello will be performed. I’m sure that the maestro’s talent will be praised not only by music lovers, but professional musicians as well.”

The festival actions and concerts are taking place in various venues, the National Philharmonic Society, NMAU, St. Andrew’s Church, the halls of NaUKMA, and Taras Shevchenko KNU. This is proof that you want to broaden the audience of the forum. In your opinion, what is the main task and motto of the festival?

“We have taken a global approach to the festival. We decided that not only concerts should take place within its framework, but also meetings, lectures, and master classes. We offer for the audience quality and refined music, and want as well to bring the Ukrainian audience, professional singers and musicians closer to baroque repertoire.

“The program has been compiled to meet everyone’s tastes: for music gourmets, future musicians and singers, as well as the audience which probably for the first time will discover these music treasures. I would say that the motto of our festival is ‘Music beyond time’ or ‘Music has no time limits.’”

We also want to invite you to Lavra Gallery, where the 16th Den’s photo exhibit will be held October 18 through 26.

“Thank you. The Day is one of the Ukrainian newspapers which have its own special image in the mass media market. I very much like the fact that the publication highlights the topics of culture and history in an interesting way: in my opinion, this is the trump card of the newspaper. Italy positions itself as a super state of culture, therefore I read with great interest about the events in the sphere of culture and art in Ukraine. I read The Day very attentively. I must note that you give different opinions, comment on facts, and find interesting people for interviews. The photos in your newspaper are bright, report-style, and often show an unexpected angle. Original articles and photos create the unique image of The Day. I’ve heard from my fellow diplomats that your photo vernissage is the captured moments of life of people and events. Hopefully, I will see it with my own eyes.”