Echoes from the Mountains: “Sounds of the Dolomites” is about to begin
In Alta Irpinia, the 14th edition of the Sponz Fest, conceived and directed by Vinicio Capossela, is entitled “Sponz Im-Bosck”
The mountains in late August, in the North-East and in Upper Irpinia. In Trentino, the 31st edition of ‘Suoni delle Dolomiti’ is getting underway: high-altitude concerts where performers and audience members walk together to reach the concert venue. In Upper Irpinia, the 14th edition of the Sponz Fest takes place, this year under the title ‘Sponz Im-Bosck’, exploring the various facets that the forest can take on in its different cultural, anthropological and humanistic contexts.
Trentino
“The Dolomites. Are they rocks or are they clouds? Are they real, or is it a dream?” With these evocative words by Dino Buzzati, we mark the 31st edition of Suoni delle Dolomiti, running until 3 October. It took the inspiration of a visionary to conceive, back in 1995, the idea of holding concerts (featuring all genres of music, but always acoustic) at high altitude, with performers and audience members walking together to reach the open-air concert venue, set amongst the mountains. And all in the pursuit of Beauty, to experience music in harmony with Nature, whilst the rosy hues of the Dolomites play their part as a theatrical backdrop. Admission is free; we set off from the valley floor and make our way up together, chatting with the musicians along the way. What’s more, there’s even a three-day trek, sleeping in mountain huts: right from the start, the guide on this journey – punctuated by musical stops – has been the cellist Mario Brunello. The musician is now the festival’s artistic director: “Listen, the Dolomites, sounds, open spaces, silence, light, highlands, walking, commitment, sharing, respect, accessibility, tradition” – these are the points of the Manifesto.
The music flows out of the concert halls and drifts gently amongst the silence and beauty of the landscape, without disturbing it. There are no stages, nor any structures. Between the musicians and the audience, there is simply a meadow, grass and a few flowers. Just the essentials, beneath the Dolomites. Every sound is deliberate, every choice is considered: no drones, no generators, just natural energy and light footsteps. The concerts take place at midday, so daylight provides all the lighting needed. Or at dawn, as on 2 September at Sass Pordoi with the all-female brass ensemble Belles of the Rockies – the first festival to think of this setting. It’s not just cellos: on 10 September in Val di Fiemme, the Baba Yaga take to the stage, with a sound that blends Balkan melodies, klezmer and Gypsy jazz, combining original compositions with improvisation.
Calitri (Campania)
30 August marks the end of ‘SPONZ IM-BOSCK’, the title of the fourteenth edition of the Sponz Fest, the festival conceived and directed by Vinicio Capossela, in Alta Irpinia. Following on from last year, this edition focuses on the woodland, exploring the various facets that this place can take on across its diverse cultural, anthropological, humanistic and civic dimensions. From the historic village of Calitri to the natural area overlooking Gagliano Hill, five days of concerts, talks and activities, featuring artists including John Convertino, Pierpaolo Capovilla, Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi, Krano, the Teatranti del Sipario, the Teatro delle Albe, Dimitris Mystakidis, Giorgos Xylouris, Paola Caridi, Francesca Fornario, Mefisto Brass and FiloQ.
