Second International Italian Mandolin Academy, September 9-16, 2007, Savona, Italy

By Marieke Smits
February 16, 2007 - 11:00 am

Savona, Italy — Building on the overwhelming success and interest generated by the First International Italian Mandolin Academy, the Second International Mandolin Academy will be held in Savona, Italy, September 9-16, 2007. The Academy is under the artistic direction of Carlo Aonzo, acclaimed virtuoso of Italian mandolin technique.

The first Academy was attended by musicians from all over the world, and the second Academy promises to offer an enhanced experience to its international students. The Academy offers a unique opportunity for beginners as well as professional musicians to learn and improve their mandolin technique.

The application form for the workshop is available at aonzo.com.

Setting

Savona is a small city with an ancient history. Situated in the heart of Liguria on the Mediterranean Sea, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful region in Italy. Though it is close to Genoa and its international airport, Savona does not have the chaotic environment of large urban centres. Situated on a coast famed for its beaches and typical small seaside towns and villages, against a backdrop of hills and mountains, Savona offers a natural beauty second to none.

The Academy links the study of mandolin not only to regional culture, but to all the sights, sounds, and tastes that beautiful Italy has to offer the international student.

Studies

The second Academy will be open to wider participation than the first. There will be an even deeper exploration of educative and formative skills in the workshop. Individual and group lessons, techniques and repertoire, chamber music, and music for orchestra will be offered. Further, the second Academy will introduce many new topics:

• a session dedicated to dance music, in search of links between this instrument and body expression
• an instrument-making course for the construction of the Neapolitan Mandolin
• a course in classical guitar
• seminars encouraging discussion between students and international conference speakers to explore technique and artistic skills
  

English will be the official language of the Academy. Italian lessons will be available for participants and companions.

Culture and Music

Cultural exchanges between students attending the courses and the local area is fostered in ways which lead them to become not only students and tourists, but "honorary citizens" taking an active part in the city and serving as ambassadors of culture.

The mandolin and other instruments in the same family are widespread in the musical traditions of many other countries. The mandolin is the instrument of emigrants, who carried it to foreign lands. Melodies played on the mandolin can be linked to their diverse cultural origins. The Academy serves to celebrate the mandolin which, through its music, has become a symbol of communion among diverse nationalities.

Other Events and Activities

Themed concerts open to the public are planned. During the final concert, the epilogue of the study week, the Academy students will play together with the Ligurian Pizzico Orchestra.

The authorities of the city of Savona are currently organizing a visit to Savona by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. This important event is expected to take place around the same period as the Academy.

Additional Information:
www.aonzo.com

International secretary: Marieke Smits, (English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian)
Tel. +39 338 9032349 (from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
e-mail: m.smits@tin.it