An anthem that speaks of today's Italy: the “Michele Novaro Competition” is born
A new composition competition dedicated to the composer of the Italian National Anthem is launched for young musicians, centered on the identity and spirit of our country
Rome, 10 November 2015
- What does a nation need to reinforce its identity? Maybe some music that reminds citizens of the beauty and characteristics of the country in which they live. Hence the Composition Competition dedicated to Michele Novaro, a composer who few Italians remember even though his music can be heard on all occasions. Novaro (1818-1885) is, in fact, the composer whose notes accompany the lines of Mameli in “Il Canto degli Italiani”, our National Anthem, composed when he was only 25, during the very heart of the Risorgimento. The Competition was presented today to the Chamber of Deputies in the presence of the president of the Chamber's Cultural Commission, Hon. Flavia Piccoli Nardelli, together with Hon. Lorenzo Becattini, who conceived the project, maestro Roberto Prosseda, director of the Associazione Mendelssohn that promoted the competition, Giorgio Battistelli, composer and conductor, the composer Cristian Carrara, and Bruno Burigana, Business Services director of Italgas, the society that sponsors the initiative. Italgas (Snam group) is a leader in the sector of the public supply of natural gas in Italy and is historically recognized as the company that brought gas into the homes of the Italians, contributing to the economic and social development of the country. The presentation of the initiative was accompanied by a performance by the young violinist Clarissa Bevilacqua, Student Ambassador for the New Music School in Chicago, who performed the National Anthem at the opening of the event. After more than 160 years the world of institutions and music at the highest levels has shown their desire to revive the spirit that inspired this music, by asking young composers to write an anthem: notes that are certainly not destined to replace “Fratelli d’Italia”, but that are inspired by the founding and distinctive values of our country. Melodies able to reflect the identity, culture and spirit of contemporary Italy and which, as only music can do, will be capable of inspiring new reflections and zeal. The Competition is open to composers of all nationalities, under the age of 30. It will be music that speaks of Italy and of the Italians today and will also look to the future, as Novaro and Mameli had done in 1847, helping to create a unified and united country. The project, lasting three years, foresees three editions, each focused on a specific theme. The awards ceremony of each of the different editions will take place in three cities that have been the capital of Italy: Turin, Florence and Rome.