THE SONG OF THE DIVINE CLAUDIO: ANCIENT ROOTS AND NEW INSPIRATIONS
Second edition of the theoretical-practical workshop on the operatic heritage

The Committee for the Safeguarding of the Art of Italian Opera Singing is promoting in Cremona, within the framework of the Monteverdi Festival and in collaboration with the Teatro Ponchielli of Cremona, the second edition of the theoretical-practical workshop on operatic heritage entitled The Song of the Divine Claudio: Ancient Roots and New Inspirations, scheduled for Tuesday, 16 June 2026 at Palazzo Cavalcabò.

The initiative, curated by Francesco Bellotto and Carmelo Di Gennaro on behalf of the Committee, aims to explore the relationship between the tradition of Italian opera singing — recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — and the historical, poetic and theatrical roots of Monteverdi’s recitar cantando, through a day of study and discussion bringing together scholars, musicologists and artists of international standing.

The morning session, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., will open with an institutional address by General Director Andrea Nocerino and Federico Domenico Eraldo Sacchi, President of the Committee for the Safeguarding of the Art of Italian Opera Singing. Speakers will then include Fabio Rossi (University of Messina), Jean-François Lattarico (Université Jean Moulin – Lyon 3), Álvaro Torrente Sánchez-Guisande (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), and Alberto Allegrezza (Civica Scuola di Musica “Claudio Abbado” of Milan).

Among the scheduled presentations are:– Italian in Singing: Linguistic Insights into the Early Operas, by Fabio Rossi;– The Coronation of Poppea between Theatrical Practice and Literary Autonomy, by Jean-François Lattarico;– The Error That Never Existed: A Forgotten Voice of the Seventeenth Century, presented by Álvaro Torrente Sánchez-Guisande;– “Twin” Emotions: The Representation of Affections in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries between Word, Gesture and Verisimilitude, by Alberto Allegrezza.

The scholars will engage in dialogue with Monteverdi Academy faculty members Maria Paola Viano (stage director) and Roberto Cascio (musical coach).

In the afternoon, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the workshop will continue with a practical session devoted to seventeenth-century theatricality, led by Alberto Allegrezza with the students of the Monteverdi Academy and Roberto Cascio on lute.

The audience will be invited to attend an experimental exploration of the expressive, gestural and performative dynamics of the Monteverdian madrigal.

With this initiative, the Committee for the Safeguarding of the Art of Italian Opera Singing reaffirms its commitment to the enhancement of the historical practices of Italian singing and to the transmission of a cultural heritage that continues, even today, to generate new artistic and scholarly perspectives.

For further information: Carmelo Di Gennaro,press@comitatosalvaguardiacantolirico.org.

10:00 – Welcome address by Superintendent Andrea Nocerino and the authorities

10:15 – The Song of the Divine Claudio. International conference.

Chaired by Federico Eraldo Sacchi, President of the Committee, in dialogue with Maria Paola Viano and Roberto Cascio, faculty members of the Monteverdi Academy

10:30 – Fabio Rossi (University of Messina)

Italian in Song: Linguistic Insights into the Early Melodramas

11:10 – Jean-François Lattarico (Université Jean Moulin – Lyon 3)

The Coronation of Poppea between Theatrical Practice and Literary Autonomy

11:50 – Álvaro Torrente Sánchez-Guisande (Universidad Complutense – Madrid)

The Error That Never Was: A Forgotten Voice of the Seventeenth Century

12:20 – Alberto Allegrezza (Civica Scuola di Musica “Claudio Abbado” – Milan)

The “Twin” Motions: The Representation of the Affections in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries between Word, Gesture and Verisimilitude

13:00 – Lunch break

14:00 – Workshop on theatrical gesture and expressiveness in the Monteverdian madrigal, led by Alberto Allegrezza. With the students of the Monteverdi Academy and Roberto Cascio (continuo).

17:00 – Closing of the proceedings.