July is traditionally the month in which the celebration of the 1,000 year-old stone theatres of Sicily opens. This Festival of Stone Theatres, directed by Francesco Costa and promoted by the Sicilian Opera Choir, administered by Alberto Munafò Siragusa, takes place each summer, in some of the most beautiful and ancient stone theatres of Sicily, such as Taormina, Syracuse, Tindari, Morgantina and Palazzolo Acreide.
Recognized as an initiative of high cultural and artistic importance, this Festival of over 40 performances – dedicated to the theme of ‘Wonder’ – will open on July 21 and also includes venues such as the Andromeda Theater of Santo Stefano Quisquina, the Roman Villa of Terme Vigliatore, the Theater of Giardini Naxos, the Roman Mausoleum of Centuripe, the city of Piazza Armerina, the Greek Theatre of Monte Jato, Ragusa Ibla, Catania, the Temple of Hera in Selinunte, the Norman Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul of Agrò, Casalvecchio Siculo and the Palazzo Cagnone of Francavilla di Sicilia, representing the connection between art, music, history and mythology.
Among the events of this festival are are Puccini’s unfinished opera Turandot at the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, featuring soprano Elena Mosuc as Liù, on August 9. Puccini started writing Turandot in 1920, but work on the score went slowly – it was five years before Puccini had written most of it – then, tragically, he died in 1924, before he could complete it, and without being able to enjoy the success of one of his most popular and most often performed works. The last duet and finale were written by Italian composer and pianist, Franco Alfano in 1926. This performance will be repeated on August 11 at the Greek Theatre of Tindari.
Also this year, the organization continues the experimental and pioneering project of the simultaneous translation of opera into sign language, which marks the beginning of a real cultural and social revolution, with the prestigious partnership of Rai Accessibility and Rai Public Interest.
Guests can see a tribute to the great Italian musician, composer and arranger Ennio Morricone – a traditional event at this Festival – at the Greek Theatre of Tindari on August 2, and at the Ancient Theatre of Taormina on August 10. Lyric tenor Alberto Urso will star in a concert dedicated to the “prince of 20th-century Italian music”, to be repeated on August 21 in the heart of Sicilian baroque – the open air theatre of the Noto staircase.
Also at the Ancient Theatre of Taormina on August 6 there will be suites from three other Puccini operas – Tosca, La Boheme and Madama Butterfly.
The legendary Sicilian Domenico Modugno – the original singer of the 1958 hit Volare – will be celebrated on August 13, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the passing of this great singer, actor and composer. This performance will feature Sicilian names, such as Mario Incudine, and take place exclusively at the Greek Theatre of Tindari, under the artistic direction of Anna Ricciardi.
Another novelty is the format dedicated to the spirituality of Franco Battiato, Batti(A)to Spirituale, for vocal ensemble, strings and Celtic harp, which will combine the energy of the ancient rocks with the mysticism of the songs of this well-known Etnean singer-songwriter and also celebrate the centenary of the philosopher of ‘asystematicity’, Manlio Sgalambro.
The season will close with a recital, Amore e vita, by soprano Diana Damrau, of whom Operawire says “… Damrau’s vocal delicacy [is] able to open a phrase with a delicate crescendo, while often ending them with soft holds as if she were embracing them to the fullest”. This performance takes place at the Catania Teatro Romano on September 22.
The Lyric Festival of Stone Theatres 2024 takes place during July, August and September this year. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit the Coro Lirico Siciliano website.
All photographs courtesy of Coro Lirico Siciliano except where otherwise stated
Information sourced from:
Coro Lirico Siciliano programme notes