In Oropa, concert in the Upper Basilica and visit to the illuminated dome

On Saturday 2 July at 9 pm the concert “As waters flow the sun descends” will be held in the Upper Basilica of the Sanctuary of Oropa, in absolute premiere. The music was created specifically for the Upper Basilica by composer Dominik Fortsch, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna.

The concert and the guided tour of the dome of the illuminated Upper Basilica crown a day full of initiatives that begins at 3 pm with the guided visit to the Sacro Monte, on the occasion of the UNESCO recognition on 3 July 2003, and continues at 5.30 pm with the inauguration of Daniele Basso’s exhibition “The folds of the soul”. The Saturday evening concert is organized as part of the project “The sound of the parks and lakes of Piedmont”, led by Armando Caruso, president of the Accademia della Voce del Piemonte, and by the artistic director M ° Sonia Franzese.

Thanks to the collaboration started with the major European universities of music, four young graduates in composition were invited to discover the Piedmont area with an artistic residence at Lake Maggiore, the Gesso and Stura river park, the municipality of Monteu Roero and the Sanctuary of Oropa. The participation of the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia de Madrid, the Paganini Conservatory of Genoa, the University of Music of Vienna and the F. Chopin University of Warsaw was enthusiastic. The guest of the Sanctuary of Oropa was Dominik Förtsch, a graduate in composition at the University of Vienna, who spent a week in residence last February. In the natural environment of the Oropa mountains, the inspiration for the first “site specific” composition for the Upper Basilica was born: “Dominik” felt “that the water of life flowed between the sky and the mountains and as the sun set in the dark has composed “As waters flow the sun descends”; a poetic expression for a concert that will remain in the history of Oropa – explains Armando Caruso-The concert is the final moment of the inspiration that Dominik Förtsch had in the week of residence in Oropa and which he translated into an electronic music piece for string Quartet. Thanks to this experience, the young composers involved in the project were able to give voice to their culture, their sensitivity and spirituality by confronting themselves with a new reality in the European context. And if we think of the monumentality of the Sanctuary and of the Sacro Monte, a UNESCO heritage site at 1200 meters above sea level where sun, water and nature represent the immense, you will have the clear feeling that the inspiration has been fully grasped “. The concert will continue with music by AP Borodin, WA Mozart, O. Respighi performed by the Pars string quartet composed of: Paolo Calcagno and Ruben Galloro, violins; Simone Graziano, cello; Francesco Gaspardone, piano; Martina Anselmo, viola.

At the end of the concert, the evening continues with a visit to the illuminated dome of the Upper Basilica. Access to the dome and terrace of the Basilica is finally possible thanks to the commitment of the Compagnia di San Paolo, Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, Cassa di Risparmio di Biella and Cassa di Risparmio di Vercelli foundations which, in continuity with the restoration projects sustained in the last four years, have allowed it to be practicable. The next events that will conclude the first edition of “The Sound of the Parks and Lakes of Piedmont” will be held on 9 July in Sant’Anna di Monteu Roero, with the Italian composer Arturo Dal Bianco, and on 15 July, in the Auditorium San Giovanni di Cuneo, which will welcome the Polish composer Lena Michajlow and the Hungarian Trio Javorkai.

WEEKEND APPOINTMENT PROGRAM

SATURDAY 2 JULY

3 pm: Guided tour of the Sacro Monte, on the occasion of the anniversary of the UNESCO recognition on 3 July 2003. Meeting at the gates.

5.30 pm: Inauguration of Daniele Basso’s exhibition “The folds of the soul”. Conference room. Exhibition open until 18 September.

9 pm: Concert “As waters flow the sun descends” by Dominik Fortsch (University of Vienna). First performance of the “site specific” composition created for the Upper Basilica. Following, guided tour of the illuminated dome.

SUNDAY 3 JULY

11 am: Guided tour of the Sanctuary, the Museum of Treasures and the Royal Savoy Apartments. Meeting at the gates, at the tourist info chalet

2.30 pm and 4 pm: Guided ascent to the dome of the Upper Basilica. Meeting at the Upper Basilica