Cultural programming accord set between Archivio Storico Ricordi of Milano and Italian Academy Foundation, Inc. of New York
The Archivio Storico Ricordi (www.ricordi.it) and the Italian Academy Foundation, Inc. (www.italianacademyfoundation.org) have signed an accord to provide for a series of cultural initiatives to present the enormous archival treasury of Ricordi, one of the most important musical resources in the world, to new audiences in the United States. The agreement was signed by Pierluigi Ledda, Managing Director of the Archive, and Stefano Acunto, Chairman of the 68-year-old IAF, a non profit that produces concerts, art exhibits and historical presentations and publishes the Italian Journal. The series of events feature many “firsts” from the Archive’s rich musical history trove – never-before-seen in their original form in the US.
Exhibits include performances and lectures together with art work, original documents, costumes, designs and the legendary Ricordi posters, considered the forerunner of advertising art and promotion, according to Mr Ledda of Ricordi, who noted: “This agreement expresses our common goal of starting an international cultural cooperation aimed at enhancing the activities of both institutions, as well as entering into structured relations of cooperation in the field of the study, enhancement and promotion of Italian musical culture and the preservation and dissemination of its documentary heritage.”
Envisioned are programs such as the recent landmark exhibit co-sponsored by the IAF, “Frate Francesco”, which displayed the original manuscripts of St Francis at the United Nations and other locations.
We plan to share methods and strategies, and work in an integrated way for the realization of events, exhibitions, workshops, publications and cultural activities , educational and scientific alike with projects to promote our Italian cultural heritage, Mr Acunto stated, adding: “The esteem of Casa Ricordi in musical history as the publishers of Verdi, Puccini and so many others guarantees the importance of our exhibits and events. We are quite optimistic.”
The agenda of activities is being completed and is set to be announced in September and are expected to include an exhibit of the original stage designs approved by Puccini and used for the premiere of his opera, Tosca, timed to the premiere of the revived New York City Opera, which presents Tosca using the original set designs. The display is tentatively set for New York University’s Casa Italiana in December.
Ricordi is the owner of the Ricordi Archives which consists of a large and valuable heritage of manuscripts , autographs , correspondence and other documentary material collected by the publisher Ricordi during its century-old publishing activity in the field of music .
The Italian Academy Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit cultural organization duly registered in the US credited with a long history of bringing Italian culture to American audiences through the promotion , organization management and communication of concert events , exclusive exhibitions and media , its highly prized quarterly magazine, Italian Journal (www.italianjournal.it).
