Placement Test
Not sure in which class to register? Complete this placement test.*
We offer a professional Italian language proficiency evaluation for a refundable $25 charge. The amount will be deducted from tuition when you enroll in our classes.
Register and email the completed test to: annaolivero@theitalianculturalcenter.org, Director of Adult Language Program. You will be contacted to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss the results of the test, your oral skills, and which class best fits your language needs.
* This test is recommended for those who have some knowledge of Italian and are registering for our classes for the first time. Students registering for Beginner 1 and current students don't need to take this test.
MAKE & TAKE
Gnocchi di Patate
Sunday, March 26, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm Small group, max. 10 participants
With native Italian Romina Montanari, ICC's Instructor and Food & Wine Manager. In addition to her cooking expertise, Romina is also passionate about sharing information and discuss cultural aspects of Italian cucina & life.
Learn, make, and taste gnocchi di patate.
Gnocchi di Patate – delicate Italian dumplings made from potatoes and traditionally served as a first course – are a versatile and delicious alternative to fresh pasta.
On Sunday, March 26, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, ICC instructor and native Italian, Romina Montanari, will lead a hands-on cooking session, teaching students how to make Gnocchi di Patate at Mid-City Kitchen, a beautiful space in St. Paul.
Romina will demonstrate the process, and then it will be your turn to create some Gnocchi di Patate of your own! Each participant will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine, taste some gnocchi, learn the history of this dish, and bring home their gnocchi.
All ingredients are included, but please bring 1 cookie tray and 2 light kitchen towels to carry your gnocchi home.
By registering for this event, you fully agree to the following terms and conditions: Event Liability Release
All events must be cancelled 72 hours in advance to receive a refund, less administrative fee.
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The goal of this course is for students to be able to communicate in written and orally about past events, to express feelings and emotions, using different past tenses. Each class will provide information and discussion on cultural aspects of Italian life.
Please contact the school if you have not taken any other classes at ICC before registering. An instructor will assess your level.
NO CLASS ON MAY 29 (MEMORIAL DAY)
Use one of these links and order a copy of your textbooks prior to the first day of class:
Textbook: NUOVO ESPRESSO 2 (BOOK + INTERACTIVE E-BOOK)
The E-Book contains audios and videos.
Duration of access to E-book: 14 months
Note: the textbook includes the workbook (with keys)
For additional practice:
NUOVO ESPRESSO 2 - Esercizi supplementari
The goal of this course is for students to be able to greet others and introduce themselves, ask for information, describe their house, family, objects, and their location. Each class will provide information and discussion on cultural aspects of Italian life.
Use these links and order a copy of your text and workbook prior to the first day of class:
Textbook: NEW ITALIAN ESPRESSO UPDATED EDITION -BOOK + E-BOOK INTERATTIVO
The E-BOOK contains audios and videos.
Please note: duration of access to E-book 14 months
Workbook: NEW ITALIAN ESPRESSO UPDATED EDITION
Before proceeding to Upper Intermediate 1, students who have completed Intermediate 3 have the opportunity to go over grammatical structures covered in previous levels in order to become more confident in their speaking and writing skills. They will refine their ability to describe events in the past and express their opinions while using different tenses and structures. Students will work on short Italian literary texts as a springboard for a thorough and a more in depth review of previous materials.
Please contact the school if you have not taken any other classes at the ICC before enrolling. An instructor will assess your level.
Please order the text for class via this link:
Giocare con la letteratura
Before proceeding to Advanced classes, students who have completed Upper Intermediate 3 have the opportunity to review and gain more confidence in their speaking and writing skills. They will refine their language abilities while working on short Italian literary texts as a springboard for a thorough and a more in depth review of previous materials.
Prerequisite: Upper Intermediate 3
Use this link and order your text prior to the first day of class:
GIOCARE CON LA LETTERATURA
l
The goal of this course is for students to be able to talk about past events, make predictions and express probability, ask and answer questions about time, weather, locations and places. Each class will provide information and discussion on cultural aspects of Italian life.
Prerequisite: Beginner Level 2
Textbook: NEW ITALIAN ESPRESSO UPDATED EDITION (BOOK+E-BOOK)
Workbook: NEW ITALIAN ESPRESSO UPDATED EDITION_WORKBOOK
The goal of this course is for the student to be able to express opinions precisely and thoroughly, and to describe events in detail in the present, past, and future tenses using accurate and appropriate vocabulary. Students will read Italian short stories from well-known writers of the 20th century to practice writing, speaking, and reading skills.
Pre-requisite: Advanced #2
Textbook: Voci Italiane
The goal of this course is for students to be able to speak more extensively about themselves, their profession, their likes and dislikes. Students will also learn how to handle situations related to ordering at restaurants, shops, ask about prices, clothes, and daily activities. Each class will provide information and discussion on cultural aspects of Italian life.
Prerequisite: Beginner Level 1
Prerequisite: Beginner Level 3
Use these links and order copies of your text and workbook prior to the first day of class:
Textbook: New Italian Espresso Updated Edition Book + Ebook
Workbook: New Italian Espresso Workbook Updated Edition
In this class, students have the opportunity to review and reinforce their language skills at the upper Intermediate level while working on cultural topics related to contemporary Italy. Grammar structures previously studied will be addressed in their nuances and practiced more in depth.
Prerequisite: Practice and Consolidation #1
Please contact the school if you have not taken any other classes at the ICC before registering. An instructor will assess your level.
Use one of these links, and order your text prior to the first day of class:
Nuovo Magari B2 (Book/Audio CD)
or
Nuovo Magari B2 (E-Book)
This class is for students who are at Upper Intermediate Level. Facets of Italian regional culture will be discussed to provide students with various opportunities to practice upper intermediate reading and conversational skills.
Use this link and order a copy of the textbook prior to first day of class:
Prerequisite: Pre-Intermediate 1
Please contact the school if you have not taken any other classes at ICC before enrolling. An instructor will assess your level.
Use these links and order a copy of your texts prior to the first day of class:
Textbook:
NUOVO ESPRESSO 2 (BOOK + INTERACTIVE E-BOOK)
Workbook:
The goal of this course is for the student to be able to communicate about events of the past and express feelings, emotions and sensations. Each class will provide information and discussion on cultural aspects of Italian life.
Prerequisite: completion of Pre-Intermediate 2
Use these links and order a copy of your text prior to the first day of class:
The E-Book contains all audios and videos.
Note: The textbook includes homework exercises (with keys)
The goal of this course is for the student to be able to communicate about events of the past, working on when and how to use the different past tenses, and to express feelings, emotions. Each class will provide information and discussion on cultural aspects of Italian life.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Level 1
NUOVO ESPRESSO 3 (BOOK + INTERACTIVE E-BOOK)
The E-Book contains all audios and videos. Duration of access to E-book: 14 months
Note: the textbook includes homework exercises (with keys)
Join us on the evening of Thursday, March 30, from 6 until 7:30 p.m., for an enjoyable casual Italian conversation event! An ICC native Italian instructor will lead a small group in a casual conversation format. Participants will enjoy traditional Italian cheese and a glass of wine.
This is intended to be a very informal class aimed at Italian students of intermediate proficiency level. This class will offer the opportunity to practice the Italian phrases you know, learn new ones and improve your comprehension skills – all in a relaxed atmosphere. Space is limited and will fill quickly - Register now!
Only Italian will be spoken!
WHEN: Thursday, March 30, from 6 until 7:30 p.m.
All activities and events must be cancelled a minimum of 72 hours in advance to receive a refund less administrative fee.
On Saturday, April 1, from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m., an ICC Italian native instructor will lead a small group in a casual conversation format. Participants will enjoy traditional Italian coffee, Italian breakfast staples – pane, burro e marmellata – along with some dolcetti.
This is intended to be an informal class aimed at Italian students of all proficiency levels. This class will offer the opportunity to practice the Italian phrases you know, learn new ones and improve your comprehension skills – all in a laid back atmosphere. Space is limited and will fill quickly - Register now!
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 9:30 until 11:00 a.m.
Future dates: 8, 22 April; 6,13 May
Write us at contact@theitalianculturalcenter.org for any questions.
Italiano in Musica!
Italian through Songs Series
Join us for a two hour language workshop to enhance your Italian speaking (and singing) skills while having fun!
Led by a native instructor, the workshop will walk you through iconic world famous Italian songs while reviewing structures and vocabulary, all in a communicative context. You will learn about the artists and songs through activities, games, and a wide array of exercises.
The workshop is all in Italian.
Prerequisites: Beginning level 3 up to Pre-Intermediate Level 3.
If you have questions, please write us at contact@theitalianculturalcenter.org
Tuition includes instruction materials.
All courses must be cancelled at least 72 hours in advance to qualify for a refund, less an administrative fee.
On Saturday, April 8, from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m., an ICC Italian native instructor will lead a small group in a casual conversation format. Participants will enjoy traditional Italian coffee, Italian breakfast staples – pane, burro e marmellata – along with some dolcetti.
WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 9:30 until 11:00 a.m.
Future dates: April 22; May 6,13
Le Vie del Vino
Piemonte
Lesser-Known Grape Varieties
WINE EDUCATIONThursday, April 13, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Join us for an educational class about Piemonte Lesser-Known Grape Varieties and Wines, one of Italy's greatest wine regions. Piemonte is one of the country's most spectacular-looking regions, tucked in just south of the Alps (Piemonte means " foot of the mountain"), and is home to some of the greatest red wines in the world, made from the Nebbiolo varietal.
Piedmont has another hidden treasure because it hosts an impressive range of indigenous (autochthonous) grape varieties that have not yet reached international recognition. Tonight we will discover and learn about the lesser-known native grape varieties and taste their wines with The Piedmont Guy. Charcuterie boards "taglieri di salumi e formaggi" and breadsticks "grissini" will be also enjoyed by the guests.
Il Gattopardo /The Leopard Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
A classic of Italian Literature
- Presented IN ENGLISH - Click on the Register button in the upper left blue box
In our last Circolo letterario (CELEBRATE SICILY!, on January 19), we discussed the history of XVIII-XIX century Sicily as portrayed by Stefania Auci, a contemporary Italian writer (I leoni di Sicilia, 2019).
In this new Circolo letterario, you’ll be introduced to Il gattopardo (Feltrinelli 1958; The Leopard, Collins and Pantheon 1960), the most famous historical novel set in 1800 Sicily. Its author, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa wrote only this book and died in 1957 before seeing it published.
Il gattopardo won the literary award Premio Strega in 1959. It was widely appreciated by literary critics and by readers and was translated into many languages.
The 1963 film adaptation of the novel by the director Luchino Visconti won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Described by many as one of the masterpieces of Italian literature, Il gattopardo recounts the life of the Prince Fabrizio Salina – the impersonation of the author’s great-grandfather - who witnessed the strife between the upper classes and the newly-rich merchants, the Republicans and the monarchists, and the defenders of the Bourbons and the supporters of the reign of the Piedmonts’ Vittorio Emanuele. We will discuss the historical and literary background necessary to fully appreciate this unique novel and watch together some of the salient sections of the movie.
A book club edition of the Circolo letterario is planned on Saturday May 20 for those who will read this book in Italian or in English to discuss and share impressions from their reading.
Pieranna Garavaso is native Italian and came to the US to earn a PhD in Philosophy (at the U of Nebraska Lincoln). She taught Philosophy at the University of Minnesota Morris for 34 years. She was awarded the UMN Morris Alumni Association Teaching Award (2003), the Horace T. Morse Alumni Association Undergraduate Teaching Award (2004) and the UMN Morris Faculty Research Award (2017). Her areas of research include History of Analytic Philosophy, Philosophy of Mathematics, and Feminist Philosophies. She has published articles in Italian and English and authored, co-authored or edited several books; the last collection she has edited is the Bloomsbury Companion to Analytic Feminism (2018). As Emerita/retired she plans to devote more time to reading and discussing Italian literature.
In 2021, ICC was appointed Presidio Letterario of the Società Dante Alighieri (DA), one of the most important Italian institutions for the promotion and appreciation of Italian language and culture since 1889. ICC is now part of a network of cultural centers in Italy and abroad promoting events and initiatives related to Italian literature. Since 2009 DA has officially been part of the jury of Premio Strega, the most prestigious Italian literary award.
Minimum number of participants: 8Maximum number of participants: 25
Raising your children in the Italian Language and Tradition
Living in the United States does not mean giving up your language, your way of being, your traditions, and culture. Learn the tactics and strategies crucial to preserving your Italian heritage within your children. In this seminar: We discuss the modes and tactics to raise a thoroughly bicultural, bilingual child, living in the United States; We share our personal experiences, suggestions and advice. Presented by Marco Pavoloni, Active Linguist & Interpreter- Intercultural Liaison, Honorary Consul of Italy in Minnesota, and Marco A. Pavoloni, Managing Partner and Director of Operations at Pavoloni International Translation & Interpreting Services. Minimum number of participants: 15 Maximum number of participants: 25 All events must be cancelled 72 hours in advance to receive a refund, less administrative fee.
In this seminar:
Presented by Marco Pavoloni, Active Linguist & Interpreter- Intercultural Liaison, Honorary Consul of Italy in Minnesota, and Marco A. Pavoloni, Managing Partner and Director of Operations at Pavoloni International Translation & Interpreting Services.
Minimum number of participants: 15
Maximum number of participants: 25
Virtual Trip to EMILIA ROMAGNA
LIVE FROM ITALY
presented in English & Italian by Silvia Mazza,
Travel Specialist at Emilia Romagna Region Tourism Board
Friday, April 21 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT via Zoom
IN ENGLISH & ITALIAN
Planning to travel to Italy? Do you want to discover the beauty and the diversity of each of the 20 Italian regions?
Improve your travel experience knowing more about each region of Italy. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the expert regional guides. Each region offers a unique experience including art and cultural cities, landscape and nature, outdoor activities and local food and wine.
Our virtual tour will take us to Emilia Romagna region: the ultimate Italy.
Take a road trip to Emilia Romagna to discover the best Italian produce and the quintessential ‘Dolce vita’ way of life epitomizes the Emilia Romagna region, located in the heart of Italy to the north of Florence and south of Milan. The region is easy to reach as there are three international airports: Bologna, Parma and Rimini.
The region boasts 10 towns, renowned for their art, culture and UNESCO world heritage sites; the Via Emilia route going from North-West to South-East; the unblemished landscapes of the Apennine Mountains and Po River Delta with their national and regional parks perfect for cycling and trekking; the Motor Valley with its Ferrari, Ducati and Lamborghini factories, the Spa facilities and finest sports events such as the prestigious Tour de France in 2024, as well as family fun all along the 110 km coastline of the Adriatic Riviera.
Emilia Romagna is also called the Food Valley because it is home to the world’s best food and drink – including Parma ham, Traditional Balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, fresh home-made pasta, and Gotturnio, Lambrusco and Pignoletto wines.
Genuine Italy at its best!
Silvia Mazza BIO
Tourism has always been a passion and a profession to me. It all started when my German mother met my father while she was on holiday in Rimini, on the Adriatic Coast: I am the result of that love born on vacation, so we can say that tourism is in my DNA! I have always loved to travel, to discover new places and cultures. I started my career as animator in tourist resorts all over the world, then I became tour leader and finally I landed to work in tourism promotion over 20 years ago. It’s a very gratifying work, trying to boost tourism in the region where I was born and grown up. I am aware that there are a lot of amazing things to see, taste, experience, enjoy and I am happy to share this knowledge to anyone who is curious to learn more about Emilia Romagna.
All registered participants will be sent the webinar recording.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Friday, May 5th, for a CineConcert featuring the groundbreaking 1911 silent film INFERNO accompanied LIVE by Stefano Maccagno (piano) and Furio Di Castri (double bass) visiting directly from Italy. T H E P R O J E C T The concept of "musical accompaniment" for the film "Inferno" is a transverse musical process that fosters a timbric osmosis of a predominantly electronic track and live performances on double bass and piano. The designed absence of specific languages allows the musical selections and genres to be freely defined by the images themselves, the absolute protagonists of the project, creating an oftentimes surreal experience. The combination of electronic and live music transports the listener to atmospheres at times impalpable, as the timbric density undergoes rarefaction, and at times to “magmatic musical” situations, in which the full multiplicity of sounds coexist in an orchestral sum of timbric material. Free improvisation performed live on the double bass and piano defines the soundtrack, allowing the instruments to dialogue with one another in a purity of language that ranges from Jazz to classical-contemporary music. T H E M O V I E L'Inferno is a 1911 Italian silent film, loosely adapted from the first canticle of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. The movie took over three years to make, and was the first full-length Italian feature film ever produced. L'Inferno's depictions of Hell closely followed those in the engravings of Gustave Doré for an edition of the Divine Comedy, which were familiar to an international audience. The movie production also employed several special effects, some of which were considered groundbreaking at the time, establishing the movie as a leader in innovation of cinematic techniques. FURIO DI CASTRI self-taught double bassist, he records his first album in 1973 (Dedalus – Trident rec.) at the age of 17. After living in Tunisia, he moves to Rome in 1978 where he plays with Maurizio Giammarco and Massimo Urbani bands. From 1979 to 1981 he plays as sideman with Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Walter Davis jr, Jimmy Knepper, Freddie Hubbard, Al Grey, Franco d’Andrea, Tete Montoliu, Sal Nistico, Enrico Pieranunzi, Dave Samuels. Throughout the 80s’ he is part of Enrico Rava quartet and Michel Petrucciani trio and takes part to international tours and concerts with Dino Saluzzi, Joe Henderson, Chet Baker, John Taylor, Steve Lacy, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Pharoah Sanders, Charles Lloyd, Ray Anderson, Daniel Humair, John Abercrombie, Cristian Escoudè, Philip Catherine, Aldo Romano, Franco d’Andrea. In the 90s’ he plays with Richard Galliano, Paul Bley, John Surman, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Andy Sheppard, Paul Motian, John Scofield, Nguyen Le, Franco Ambrosetti, Antonello Salis, Stefano Bollani, Uri Caine. He has collaborated with Paolo Fresu for over 20 years. Since 2000, he dedicates himself to his own projects and to composition for orchestras, dance, theatre and contemporary art performances. Since 2001 he is professor in double bass at the Jazz Department of Turin Music Conservatory. S T E F A N O M A C C A G N O Pianist, composer, conductor, professor of improvisation, orchestration, composition and orchestration of music for images. He is the official composer of the National Cinema Museum of Turin, for which he has composed and orchestrated the music for numerous silent cinema masterpieces including Cabiria, Royal Tiger, Maciste, The Whispering Chorus, Blood and Sand. He has collaborated as soundtrack composer with the "Italian National Film Archive" in Milan. He has been pianist accompanist of the biggest masterpieces of silent cinema at Cannes Film Festival, Bologna international film festival Il Cinema Ritrovato, Lumiere Festival in Lyon Pordenone Silent Film Days, Cinémathèque Française and Tokyo National Film Center. On commission of the Teatro dell'Opera di Florence he wrote a composition for a large symphony orchestra on music by Led Zeppelin performed by the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra, which he directed himself at the Teatro dell'Opera in Florence. He has composed the music score for Susanna Nicchiarelli’s "Nico, 1988", recording with actress Trine Dirholm (best actress award at Berlinale 2017). He is the official pianist of the Cabiria restoration project, which has accompanied at Cannes and Berlin film festivals as well as in Belgrade, Budapest, Lyon, Luxembourg, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, Vancouver. The event is organized in partnership and with the support of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Chicago and Twin Cities Film Archives Project. The screening will take place at The Main Cinema in Minneapolis. STAY TUNED FOR MORE!!!!!!!!!!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Friday, May 5th, for a CineConcert featuring the groundbreaking 1911 silent film INFERNO accompanied LIVE by Stefano Maccagno (piano) and Furio Di Castri (double bass) visiting directly from Italy.
T H E P R O J E C T The concept of "musical accompaniment" for the film "Inferno" is a transverse musical process that fosters a timbric osmosis of a predominantly electronic track and live performances on double bass and piano. The designed absence of specific languages allows the musical selections and genres to be freely defined by the images themselves, the absolute protagonists of the project, creating an oftentimes surreal experience. The combination of electronic and live music transports the listener to atmospheres at times impalpable, as the timbric density undergoes rarefaction, and at times to “magmatic musical” situations, in which the full multiplicity of sounds coexist in an orchestral sum of timbric material. Free improvisation performed live on the double bass and piano defines the soundtrack, allowing the instruments to dialogue with one another in a purity of language that ranges from Jazz to classical-contemporary music. T H E M O V I E L'Inferno is a 1911 Italian silent film, loosely adapted from the first canticle of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. The movie took over three years to make, and was the first full-length Italian feature film ever produced. L'Inferno's depictions of Hell closely followed those in the engravings of Gustave Doré for an edition of the Divine Comedy, which were familiar to an international audience. The movie production also employed several special effects, some of which were considered groundbreaking at the time, establishing the movie as a leader in innovation of cinematic techniques. FURIO DI CASTRI self-taught double bassist, he records his first album in 1973 (Dedalus – Trident rec.) at the age of 17. After living in Tunisia, he moves to Rome in 1978 where he plays with Maurizio Giammarco and Massimo Urbani bands. From 1979 to 1981 he plays as sideman with Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Walter Davis jr, Jimmy Knepper, Freddie Hubbard, Al Grey, Franco d’Andrea, Tete Montoliu, Sal Nistico, Enrico Pieranunzi, Dave Samuels. Throughout the 80s’ he is part of Enrico Rava quartet and Michel Petrucciani trio and takes part to international tours and concerts with Dino Saluzzi, Joe Henderson, Chet Baker, John Taylor, Steve Lacy, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Pharoah Sanders, Charles Lloyd, Ray Anderson, Daniel Humair, John Abercrombie, Cristian Escoudè, Philip Catherine, Aldo Romano, Franco d’Andrea. In the 90s’ he plays with Richard Galliano, Paul Bley, John Surman, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Andy Sheppard, Paul Motian, John Scofield, Nguyen Le, Franco Ambrosetti, Antonello Salis, Stefano Bollani, Uri Caine. He has collaborated with Paolo Fresu for over 20 years. Since 2000, he dedicates himself to his own projects and to composition for orchestras, dance, theatre and contemporary art performances. Since 2001 he is professor in double bass at the Jazz Department of Turin Music Conservatory. S T E F A N O M A C C A G N O Pianist, composer, conductor, professor of improvisation, orchestration, composition and orchestration of music for images. He is the official composer of the National Cinema Museum of Turin, for which he has composed and orchestrated the music for numerous silent cinema masterpieces including Cabiria, Royal Tiger, Maciste, The Whispering Chorus, Blood and Sand. He has collaborated as soundtrack composer with the "Italian National Film Archive" in Milan. He has been pianist accompanist of the biggest masterpieces of silent cinema at Cannes Film Festival, Bologna international film festival Il Cinema Ritrovato, Lumiere Festival in Lyon Pordenone Silent Film Days, Cinémathèque Française and Tokyo National Film Center. On commission of the Teatro dell'Opera di Florence he wrote a composition for a large symphony orchestra on music by Led Zeppelin performed by the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra, which he directed himself at the Teatro dell'Opera in Florence. He has composed the music score for Susanna Nicchiarelli’s "Nico, 1988", recording with actress Trine Dirholm (best actress award at Berlinale 2017). He is the official pianist of the Cabiria restoration project, which has accompanied at Cannes and Berlin film festivals as well as in Belgrade, Budapest, Lyon, Luxembourg, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, Vancouver.
T H E P R O J E C T
The concept of "musical accompaniment" for the film "Inferno" is a transverse musical process that fosters a timbric osmosis of a predominantly electronic track and live performances on double bass and piano. The designed absence of specific languages allows the musical selections and genres to be freely defined by the images themselves, the absolute protagonists of the project, creating an oftentimes surreal experience. The combination of electronic and live music transports the listener to atmospheres at times impalpable, as the timbric density undergoes rarefaction, and at times to “magmatic musical” situations, in which the full multiplicity of sounds coexist in an orchestral sum of timbric material. Free improvisation performed live on the double bass and piano defines the soundtrack, allowing the instruments to dialogue with one another in a purity of language that ranges from Jazz to classical-contemporary music.
T H E M O V I E L'Inferno is a 1911 Italian silent film, loosely adapted from the first canticle of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. The movie took over three years to make, and was the first full-length Italian feature film ever produced. L'Inferno's depictions of Hell closely followed those in the engravings of Gustave Doré for an edition of the Divine Comedy, which were familiar to an international audience. The movie production also employed several special effects, some of which were considered groundbreaking at the time, establishing the movie as a leader in innovation of cinematic techniques.
FURIO DI CASTRI self-taught double bassist, he records his first album in 1973 (Dedalus – Trident rec.) at the age of 17. After living in Tunisia, he moves to Rome in 1978 where he plays with Maurizio Giammarco and Massimo Urbani bands. From 1979 to 1981 he plays as sideman with Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Walter Davis jr, Jimmy Knepper, Freddie Hubbard, Al Grey, Franco d’Andrea, Tete Montoliu, Sal Nistico, Enrico Pieranunzi, Dave Samuels. Throughout the 80s’ he is part of Enrico Rava quartet and Michel Petrucciani trio and takes part to international tours and concerts with Dino Saluzzi, Joe Henderson, Chet Baker, John Taylor, Steve Lacy, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Pharoah Sanders, Charles Lloyd, Ray Anderson, Daniel Humair, John Abercrombie, Cristian Escoudè, Philip Catherine, Aldo Romano, Franco d’Andrea. In the 90s’ he plays with Richard Galliano, Paul Bley, John Surman, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Andy Sheppard, Paul Motian, John Scofield, Nguyen Le, Franco Ambrosetti, Antonello Salis, Stefano Bollani, Uri Caine. He has collaborated with Paolo Fresu for over 20 years. Since 2000, he dedicates himself to his own projects and to composition for orchestras, dance, theatre and contemporary art performances. Since 2001 he is professor in double bass at the Jazz Department of Turin Music Conservatory.
S T E F A N O M A C C A G N O Pianist, composer, conductor, professor of improvisation, orchestration, composition and orchestration of music for images. He is the official composer of the National Cinema Museum of Turin, for which he has composed and orchestrated the music for numerous silent cinema masterpieces including Cabiria, Royal Tiger, Maciste, The Whispering Chorus, Blood and Sand. He has collaborated as soundtrack composer with the "Italian National Film Archive" in Milan. He has been pianist accompanist of the biggest masterpieces of silent cinema at Cannes Film Festival, Bologna international film festival Il Cinema Ritrovato, Lumiere Festival in Lyon Pordenone Silent Film Days, Cinémathèque Française and Tokyo National Film Center. On commission of the Teatro dell'Opera di Florence he wrote a composition for a large symphony orchestra on music by Led Zeppelin performed by the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra, which he directed himself at the Teatro dell'Opera in Florence. He has composed the music score for Susanna Nicchiarelli’s "Nico, 1988", recording with actress Trine Dirholm (best actress award at Berlinale 2017). He is the official pianist of the Cabiria restoration project, which has accompanied at Cannes and Berlin film festivals as well as in Belgrade, Budapest, Lyon, Luxembourg, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, Vancouver.
The event is organized in partnership and with the support of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Chicago and Twin Cities Film Archives Project. The screening will take place at The Main Cinema in Minneapolis.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE!!!!!!!!!!
