Multi-genre, multi-disciplinary and open to an international audience. It is the spirit of the Taormina Art Festival 2024of which the four major concerts that will be held at the Ancient TheatreThe program, which unfolds from 19 to 29 August, it is completed with six other events that will be hosted at the Villa Comunale, in the Park dedicated to Lady Trevelyanwho conceived this rare architectural and botanical jewel in the Victorian era.
The event is organized by the Taormina Arte Sicilia Foundationled by the extraordinary commissioner Sergio Bonomo with the artistic direction by Gianna Frattarenowned conductor and authoritative cultural operator. The festival boasts the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Sicilian Region – Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment and the patronage of the Municipality of Taormina and the Naxos-Taormina Archaeological Parkto.
The Villa Comunale will host top-level artists and interesting programs: from comic duo Moschella and Mulè to an original performance of a masterpiece such as Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” with the solo violin of Frederick William and the synchronized projection of images of Sicily in the succession of the natural cycle of the seasons; from the acrobatic talent of the pianist Michael DiToro to the homage to Carosone conceived by Enzo De Caro and the Ànema Quartet; from the jazzist Jany McPherson and her Trio at “Rebel Passions” of iconic South American writers, recalled by Ornella Muti and the Americas Trio.
“Collateral, but not secondary, to the offer of the 4 events at the Teatro Antico, is the artistic proposal of the shows that will be held, to complete the festival calendar, at Taormina Town Hall. Six shows of different types, with great artists from the national and international scene, also strongly multidisciplinary and multigenre. Theater, classical music, video projections, jazz and mixed shows characterize the stylistic figure of the artistic program. Chamber music evenings that find their ideal location in the elegant and intimate space of Trevelyan Park”.
The appointments in detail
It opens August 20th with the funny play “1 show x duo”, which sees the couple on stage Giuseppe Moschella and Emanuela Mulè. The show, written by Moschella himself, aims to compose the mosaic of the varied artistic baggage of two masters in the ironic and comic genre, applauded in important Italian theaters and times of comedy, such as the Zelig theater in Milan, the Teatro Testaccio and Dei Satiri in Rome, the Teatro del Sale in Florence and many others. The story is also animated by video projections and live music, entrusted to a vocalist on the piano. The duo is happy to celebrate 20 years of artistic career in theater and cinema.
The August 22nd appointment with “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi, a classic of program music and one of the most loved and performed pieces in the history of music, here proposed in a new guise. In addition to boasting the prestigious interpretation of a true Italian baroque composer, the violinist Federico Guglielmo, here accompanied by the Solisti Filarmonici Italianithe performance will in fact be enriched by the synchronized video projection of the most beautiful images of Sicily as the seasons evolve.
The August 25th an “Unlimited” performance, truly without limits, that of Michael DiToroa pianist with extraordinary technical skills, but above all able to range from Chopin to Chick Corea. The virtuoso will perform a very special recital, with classical and jazz pieces, all in versions greatly revisited by his creative imagination. The last 15 minutes of the program will then be at the request of the public. Those who want, will propose pieces and extemporaneously Di Toro will transform and elaborate them in a truly surprising way, thanks to an incredible harmonic ear.
The August 26th the focus is on “Renatissimo”, the tribute that the Ànema Quartet has laid out with the extraordinary participation of Enzo Decaroin the dual role of narrator and singer, to celebrate one of the greatest authors and interpreters of the Neapolitan and Italian music scene of the second half of the twentieth century, Renato Carosone. Ànema reinterpret his repertoire through an original instrumental version of his successes with a lineup composed of musicians of southern origins, with a solid classical training combined with a varied experience in the fields of jazz and popular music.
The concert of the August 27th will feature Jany McPherson, a Cuban pianist, singer and composer, one of the most important representatives of female jazz piano in recent years. The lineup of songs that she will perform with her Trio focuses mainly on the latest album entitled “A long way”, released in October 2023: a long journey that retraces the various phases of the artist’s life, of which the public will be able to appreciate the innate interpretative skills, the genetic sense of musical orientation and rhythm, the marked aptitude for ballads and singing.
Finally, the August 28th, a moving tribute to Latin America’s most influential women writers, delivered through a mesmerizing fusion of acting, music, and poetry. Ornella Muti lends her charismatic presence to bring the stories of these remarkable women to life. Accompanied by the hypnotic melodies of the Americas Trio, the itinerary of “Rebel Passions” celebrates their talent and courage. From Teresa Wilms Montt to Gabriela Mistral, from Jeannette d’Ibar to Gioconda Belli, each figure is represented in all its complexity and beauty, to highlight their lasting impact on world literature.
In addition to the dates set at the Villa Comunale, as anticipated the Teatro Antico will host four concerts: “We exist” with the all-female Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet (August 19); “Seasons” with I Filarmonici Italiani directed by Gianna Fratta herself, violinists Federico Guglielmo, Dino De Palma, Alessandro Quarta and the acrobatic dance of Kataklò (August 21); “Camera a Sud” with Vinicio Capossela, on the thirtieth anniversary of the album (August 23); “Ci vorrei mille canzoni” with Amii Stewart and the Orchestra della Magna Grecia directed by Piero Romano (August 29).