I Maria Teresa Giannoni
Livorno A morning with Mascagni. It is the time that the students of some Livorno classes (the fourth class of Cecioni, two fifths of the Campana primary schools and scattered representatives of Niccolini Palli) spend in Goldonetta, with teachers in tow, to present the new tender for the schools of the Mascagni educational project.
It is one of the accompanying activities of the Mascagni Festival and aims to raise awareness among school children about the life and work of the Livorno composer. The call is open to institutes in Livorno and its province.
The results achieved so far are flattering in terms of numbers alone: when last year’s final work was presented in May at the Goldoni Theater – a performance of “Cavalleria Rusticana” in the Livorno version staged by Campana – the audience there was 600 children.
The focus of the school’s work this year is on the two operas “Cavalleria” and “Gianni Schicchi” by Puccini, which will be performed at the festival next summer.
“It is important to us,” said the artistic director of the festival Marco Voleri, “to tell Mascagni to new generations.” You have to know that he brought prestige to the city: “Cavalleria Rusticana” is one of the five most performed operas in the world. Mascagni made history, he dictated the law in fashion like today’s influencers do, so much so that young people of his time cut their hair in the Mascagna style. But he was also someone who had the courage to follow his own ideas and even though he had a lot of problems in life, he always went further.”
“Many of us will take part,” Tiziana Rapisarda from the Education Authority expected the children, “at the end of the year we will experience something fantastic.” The Mascagni Festival is always on the move, a bit like young people who never stand still. Where there is culture, there is no longer any ugliness, bullying disappears, suffering disappears and so cultural initiatives like this, which make you feel good and can make your own city better known, are welcome.”
What will happen in the courses was explained by Maria Salvini, who will be one of the protagonists of the project.
Strengthened by her skills – she has a degree in literary and art history, is an opera singer and a painter – she will focus on connecting the various topics with reference to the historical period and Mascagni’s work. “We will start training teachers in Goldonetta,” he announced, “Mascagni is in fact suitable for various in-depth studies.” Starting from his life: his birth in Livorno in what is now Piazza Cavallotti, his stay in Milan, where he attended the conservatory with Puccini when both were young and without money. With Puccini they were part of the “young school” inspired by realism and here the connection with literature, not to mention the period of symbolism with D’annunzio, who wrote the libretto of “Parisina” for Mascagni, while Plinio Nomellini wrote the manifesto “.
The community also really likes the Mascagni education project.
“The city – intervened the deputy mayor Libera Camici – paid homage to the maestro with one of its most beautiful places: the Terrazza Mascagni, but until four years ago there was nothing else.” Until this festival was born, which immediately stands out from others and synergies like could create this.”