How it started
is a multi-disciplinary project born as a YouTube series, in collaboration with important institutions such as Il Teatro del Giglio di Lucca and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. It consists in a re - composition of Giacomo Puccini's operas for chamber orchestra and ensembles to popularise Puccini's life and art among new generations. 24 international Sponsors have already joined this project in 2020 and the roster is still growing.
Playlist episodes Click here
Online Poster 2020/21
Performers:
Anna Astesano - Harp
Gabriella Dall’Olio - Harp
Alvaro Siculiana - Piano
Manuel Dell’Oglio - Double bass
Helena Švigelj - Cello
What is How I met PucciniⓇ?
How I Met PucciniⓇ is an augmented performance concept. Adapting Puccini's poetics to modern language without betraying its essence, How I Met Puccini wants to amuse and excite opera and classical music audience as well as bring new generations closer to the classical music stage. How I Met PucciniⓇ is a unique 360-degree project that combines different forms of art and communication like illustration and performance.It has been on stage since December 2021 with the official launch of chamber music season in the Puccini Days in Lucca. All fantasies re-composed by Valentina Ciardelli for chamber ensemble or orchestra, have already debuted in halls such as Teatro del Giglio Lucca, Teatro Cucinelli Perugia, Teatro Alighieri Ravenna, Teatro La Scala, Teatro La Fenice Venice, St. Katharinen Kirchen in Hamburg, and Blackheath halls in London.
PH: Barbara Cardini
Why Giacomo Puccini?
Valentina Ciardelli wanted to pay homage to her fellow citizen Giacomo Puccini, the second most performed Italian composer in the world, the first being Giuseppe Verdi. Furthermore, Puccini comes from a 5-generation family of musicians and has played a role as a musical innovator by opening the doors to musical genres such as film music, musicals and even Pop singles, the first true crossover composer.
Why Double bass?
Valentina is a virtuoso double bassist double bass it’s her expression stool, her instrument. On top of that the double bass is a young instrument in every sense. It has a very recent history in terms of repertoire and his many tonal possibilities are yet to be explored and exploited. It is the synthesiser of the strings family; with its four and a half octaves of extension it manages to make us hear both the darkest and most threatening sounds as well as the sweet, tearjerking melodies; it can be a distorted electric guitar and muted French horn.
In the chamber music proposals it’s quite often protagonist with another amazing instrument: the Harp.
It’s a balanced, modern and perfect instrumental match that explores in a 360 degrees orchestral, vocal and symphonic sonorities in a smart and charming chamber duo combination.
Dulcis in fundo, the double bass has been going hand in hand with opera for several centuries: the double bass player and composer Giovanni Bottesini devoted almost all of his virtuosic repertoire to operatic paraphrases and was a proofreader, conductor and a great friend of Giuseppe Verdi.