Long live the Farnese: Baroque music resounds in Parma

Conceived in 1761 under the rule of don Filippo di Borbone, Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, the library was intended for all kinds of studies also because don Filippo's brother Carlo had moved to Naples in 1736, taking with him the entire Farnese Library, the Archives and artistic treasures. A precious and fascinating place, Thursday welcomes soprano Alicia Amo, Giangiacomo Pinardi lute, archlute and romantic guitar, and Miriam Cantero, cantaora with an immense flamenco repertoire; the programme includes four centuries, from the 16th to the 20th centuries, of Spanish songs composed by Alonso Mudarra (1510-1580), José Marín (1618-1699), Fernando Obradors (1896-1945) and Manuel de Falla (1876-1946). A not-to-be-missed event on Friday at the Teatro Due is "Il dialogo dei cani", a musical creation for instruments, actresses and actors, inspired by two short stories by Miguel de Cervantes from the collection Novelle esemplari, adapted by Elisa Ciofini with music by Mauro D'Alay. Also on 5 June at the Teatro Farnese, the ensemble Musica Alchemica, directed by violinist Lina Tur Bonet. music by Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710) and Juan Bautista José Cabanilles (1644-1712) to instrumental inventions by Bartolomé de Selma y Salaverde (1580-1640). On Saturday 6 June, Amandine Beyer, violin and conductor, and Gli Incogniti, an ensemble she founded in 2006, pay tribute to Bach.

The Compagnia de Violini, founded by violinist Alessandro Ciccolini and whose name evokes an instrumental ensemble active in early 17th-century Parma during the Farnese period, will be on stage on Sunday 7 June at the Pillotta; this is followed at the Teatro Farnese by "Primo Orfeo", a journey to rediscover Francesco Rasi (1574-1621); singer, theorist, poet and composer, he is a central figure of early baroque in Italia. The Festival closes on Monday 8 June at the Teatro Farnese with the Europa Galante ensemble and Fabio Biondi, in the dual role of violinist and conductor. On the programme by Luigi Boccherini", (1743-1805) the Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 12 G 506 "La casa del diavolo" and the Sinfonia Concertante in C major Op. 10 No. 4, G523. Orchestral pages that reflect the elegant taste, the formal balance of the Italia composer deeply connected to Spanish musical culture; and the focus of some of Europa Galante's concert and recording activity.