L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.italoamericano.org 6 R epresenting the variety and beauty of Italian music in different ages and in dif- ferent fields was the goal of "Music and culture: an Italian Perspective" held at the Musco Center for the Art at Chapman University of Orange. It is a cul- tural journey through Italian music that covers Medieval Times, the Renaissance, up until our times. Dr. Federico Pacchioni who organized the event, began by saying, "Music makes up part of who we are, both individually and collectively. If you really want to know someone, you must listen to their music." This was followed by a speech by Professor Daniele Struppa, President of Chapman University for the past few months, who stat- ed, "I have liked music since I was a child. I grew up in a house- hold where my father was an opera fan. In high school, Nietzsche helped me understand why music is so important in human experience. In one of his aphorisms, the philosopher said, "I cannot distinguish between music and tears." A couple of weeks ago, I was in Sicily with a group of friends and on the last day we had the opportunity of lis- tening to a beautiful folk singer song and one by Bellini- a well known composer from Catania. I am not embarrassed to say that I had tears in my eyes as I listened to the notes. The tie between music and one's emotions is incredibly powerful. Music has the capacity to allow you to understand certain things that words alone cannot express." The first to guide the public toward the interpretation of the music in Dante Alighieri's, The Divine Comedy, was Professor Francesco Ciabattoni, director of Italian Graduate Studies at Georgetown University. Dante's work is full of music, from the cacophonous cries of Hell to the joyful hymns of the blessed. The smallest details to which the great poet gets us used to, do not over- look in the musical aspect. An eloquent example is found in Purgatory, where various psalms and liturgical choirs are found, which Dante describes in a very realistic manner. Gregorian chants and polyphonic music were played during the event, most likely the same ones that Dante had also heard in the churches during his time. Professor Giulio Ongaro, Dean of the College of Performing Arts at Chapman University, focused his attention instead on Secular Music, con- centrating on amorous themes and political satire, both of which play an important role in the cul- tural landscape of the Renaissance as well as in the Frattola, recognized for its sim- plicity and written in the lan- guage of the common people- often in dialect. Lastly, the more sophisticated Madrigale was examined in depth, which initial- ly was made up of music based on Petrarca's texts, but later developed by composers in a more refined way, as a way to better analyze and interpret poet- ry through music. The best words to introduce the third guest, Prof. Alessandro Carrera, Director of Italian Studies at the University of Houston, are those said by President Struppa,: "Despite what some purist would like us to think, there is no real delineation separating classical music from folk music." Folk music in Italy has deep roots and in every region you can find unique musi- cality that is very different from each other. According to Prof. Carerra, "Folk music will never die because even if it is forgotten, it will always come back in some way, be it with new voices or new instruments." In the theater, the audience was able to appreciate some pop- ular songs such as "O Gorzia tu sei maledetta" and "No potho resposare", sung by the incompa- rable voices of Maria Carta and Andrea Parodi. Guests also lis- tened to Ludovico Enaudi's ver- sion of "Fimmine" as well as its oldest version by the American ethnomusicologist, Alan Lomax. Michela Musolino, born in the United States to Sicilian parents, concluded the event. The singer sang timeless songs, played with traditional instruments and also with instruments of "luck" such as two cups of coffee, as further proof that popular music can be played at any moment, even with- out sophisticated instruments. Folk melodies are often passed down from generation to genera- tion, but evolve over the years, thanks to the personal contribu- tions of each who sings them. Every occasion, every aspect of life is an opportunity to play music, and in Sicily, as in other regions of Italy, fortunately there is no lack of such occasions. Folk singer Michela Musolino Italian Music on set at Chapman University LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY MAURO PILERI January 31st to March 26th, - "Color Fusion Art", The Art of Dick Marconi at IAMLA, 644 North Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tuesday to Sunday, 10AM to 3PM. www.IAMLA.org 213.485.8432 February 26th, Sun. - Rosario Santo Padre Pio at St. Peter's Church, 1039 Broadway LA, CA 90012, 10:30AM. Per informazioni riguardo il gruppo di Preghiera, telefonate a Maria D. Bruno Presidente, figlia spirituale di Padre Pio 818 2414672 March 12th, Thur. - The Consulate General of Italy, has orga- nized a special event at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles to celebrate "Italian Design Day". Promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the Triennale di Milano, MISE and MIBACT it will be celebrated simul- taneously, throughout the world. The biggest names in Italian Design will visit 100 Consular and Diplomatic Network locations abroad, including Los Angeles, as "Ambassadors of Design". The event will take place Thursday March 2nd 2017, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Pacific Design Center, Conference Center, 8687 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069. RSVP losangeles.stampa@esteri.it March 5th to August 6th, - "Interstitial", a contemporary sculpture exhibition on view at the Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) 490 E. Union St. Pasadena, CA 91101 626.568.3665. Curated by Italian-American John David O'Brien, the exhibition examines the "in between" spaces of both physical artworks and artistic genres--still life, assem- blage and readymade, abstraction, and craft. March 12th, Sun. - Come and help us celebrate our Society 80th years Anniversary-Maria S.S. di Costantinopoli. The celebration will start at 11AM with a solemn Mass, followed by the procession of our Saint.The donation to help us out for this great celebration is $55 per person and you can reserve your seat by calling Dino Deligio at: 818.843.1477 or email Marchfeast@doliragi.com please RSVP by March 5th. March 19th, Sunday– St. Joseph's Day at Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano 10:00am – 2:00pm This annual celebration includes our St. Joseph's Table, ringing of the historic bells, live mariachi music, community presentations, special guest lecture on Cliff Swallows, Mission Basilica School perfor- mances, history of St. Joseph Day and the Swallow legend. For information visit missionsjc.com. To vol- unteer to work the St. Joseph table and help with the food drive to benefit Serra's Pantry email vcarabi- ni@cox.net. March 25th, Saturday – 59th Annual Swallow's Day Parade – Mark your calendar to be a part of our award winning Italian entry. There is no better way to show your Italian pride than by marching along a parade route lined with over 30,000 spectators, filmed on TV and broadcast live on several radio stations. It's a wonderful day with a fun Festa Italiana at Zoomar's petting zoo with homemade pizza made by Cucina Caprese, drinks, & live music that will be sure to have you up and dancing the tarantella. To be a part of the Italian entry and the post parade party at Zoomar's contact me at vcarabini@cox.net. March 26th, Sun. - Rosario a Padre Pio 10:30 am at St Peter's Church 1039 N Broadway L.A 90012 per informazioni riguardo il gruppo di Preghiera telefonate Maria D Bruno, Figlia Spirituale di Padre Pio 818 2414672 PATRONS OF ITALIAN CULTURE TO AWARD "2017 CASOLA PRIZE" the Patrons of Italian Culture are pleased to announce that the 2017 "Albert J. Casola Prize" for $3,500, will be awarded at their annual Ferragosto event. These 'scholarships' follow a long standing tradition of student scholarships over many decades, reports Paul Romano, Patron President. The "Casola Prize" is a result of the Albert J. Casola Trust. Eligible students are encouraged to visit the Patron's website: Picla.org., download the entry form and submit their application letter and other required documentation prior to the April 30, 2017 dead- line. Inquiries or other information may be obtained by writing the Patrons thru their website.

• Cover