Melbourne Italian Festival 2008
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Unless the arts connect with and draw strength from the community they serve, they run the risk of becoming shallow displays of mindless hedonism or cynical public relations exercises; the Melbourne Italian Festival is about community and vitality – a vitality which is characteristic of our community and our programming is reflective of this. It is the manifestation of ‘cultural diversity in the mainstream’. We can describe the artistic and cultural content of the Festival as the quintessence of a modern, vibrant and searching Australia; a Festival that embodies an impressive community spirit and participation.
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More than ever given the current situation and crisis in the Middle East – we need to not only recognize both the reality and the implications of cultural diversity but must ensure that it is freely expressed and shared in the mainstream on equal terms, in which one’s position in society is not determined by one’s background, in which an Australian is not someone who adheres to a particular stereotype but whose commitment is to a multicultural Australia.
The 2007 Festival opens with solo piano recital by prominent young conductor and virtuoso pianist Stefano Miceli; the programme features sonatas by Cimarosa, Scarlatti, Clementi and Menotti, who passed away on the 1st February this year in Monte Carlo at the age of 95. Menotti , a man of the renaissance invented Festivals in 1958!
We celebrate three icons in the world of Italian theatre and cinema – notably Carlo Goldoni, Giorgio Strehler with Commeartefo ‘s production of The Servant of Two Masters and the 70th Anniversary of “Cinecitta’ – Hollywood on the Tiber” with a retrospective of films produced by directors from all over the world. Cinecitta’ has been described a haven for film makers and Fellini named it “A Temple of Dreams”, while director Terry Gilliam called it ‘Seductress of the great, famous and Mad”. The Festival will present a series of films produced and directed by film makers at Cinecitta’, including Ben Hur (William Wyler 1958), La Dolce Vita (Federico Fellini 1959), Cleopatra (Joseph L Mankiewcz, 1962), Il Postino (Michael Radford, 1994), The Godfather Part III (Francis Ford Coppola (1990),and 1900 1 & 2 (Bernardo Bertolucci 1975) and many more films; in all there are twenty titles.
As part of the Film Festival we will present a unique Cine-Concert – a premiere in Australia – of Pier Paolo Gandini’s new documentary, Fairy tale of the Wind and Sea – (Favola del Vento e Mare); after the screening a performance will follow of a recital given by composer of the soundtrack, Calogero Giallanza, performing the music of the film.
Other festival highlights include Le Dive, a series of raw, evocative, vibrant and colourful paintings by Italian born Melbourne based artist Laura Boselli; a stunning photographic exhibition, Viareggio, The Magic of the Carnival; a cross-cultural appreciation and exchange between English and non-English language writers is the series, World of Poetry in Motion and for this first edition –“Italian folklore” – which is represented by the two outdoor programmes called “Le Piazze di Melbourne” – 3rd June to celebrate the 61st Anniversary of the Foundation of the Italian Republic and the 9th and 10th June at Piazza Italia – in Lygon Street Carlton – for all to participate.
The programme is a reflection of the philosophy behind the Festival, which has always been to cast a bridge between Italy and Melbourne via the arts, culture and civilization and exchange. It provides a unique and enriching opportunity for “all Australians’ to experience the highlights and excitement of a wide range of Italian culture, encompassing theatre, music, visual arts, cinema and folklore in the Piazze di Melbourne.
I have attempted this year to develop and produce a programme that provides a festival formula that produces a synergy that stimulates participation across cultures; the opportunity for Australians of Italian origin to renew their links with their cultural heritage and for others, it affords a glimpse of a culture which has been an important element in the evolution of the Australian character.
Buon divertimento!
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Franca Smarrelli
Director
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