VERDI 2001 - PARMA A CITY
ON STAGE
VIVA VERDI, THE SOLITUDE OF GREATNESS
Parma devotes an extraordinary exhibition to the master of melodrama:
a hall of fame of all that the myth of Verdi has produced in over a
century.
to July 29, 2001, at Palazzo Pigorini
It would be extraordinary even only for this: the number of objects,
bound texts, souvenirs, gadgets and other things that the fame conquered
by one of the most retiring and reclusive musicians in the history of
melodrama every produced. Is this the result of the very special attraction
that Verdi, with his reclusive, at times even hostile personality, seemed
to exercise by contrast, giving rise, to a popularity that grew enormously
over the years, nourished by myth?
Giuseppe Verdi can be considered the original cult star, certainly his
popularity was unprecedented. His was a cult that is still alive today,
as strong as ever, and that has inspired this extremely interesting
exhibition at Palazzo Pigorini in Parma to be held from May 19 to
July 29, 2001, organized by the Culture Department of the City of
Parma.
Organized by Marzio Dall'Acqua, director of the State Archive of the
"petite capitale" in the Emilia Region of Italy and the organizer of
other important exhibitions devoted to the great master, the show that
takes its name from the slogan "Viva V.E.R.D.I." that, in the
eighteenth century climate of anti-Austrian nationalism was shouted
with worrisome frequency and great clamor at the end of every Verdi
opera. That "Viva V.E.R.D.I." (with the periods), was an acronym for
Viva Vittorio Emanuele Re d'Italia (Long live Vittorio Emanuele, King
of Italy) had the power to strike fear into the hearts of reigning monarchs
and Austrian authorities then, as well as those of school children a
century later (those awful history tests on the Risorgimento!).
Roland Barthes wrote that "myth is a system of communication, it is
a message". Seen from the point of view of the subject of the myth,
this is indeed true. Charisma is the key to the myth. And Verdi had
charisma, no doubt about it, judging from the objects on display, no
less than real "icons", metaphors of the myth, the widest variety and
diversity of things that live with a life of their own, while yet bound
to the original by a long umbilical cord: they too are the fruit of
the myth.
And here they are, prettily arranged: postcards, stamps, seals, invitations,
envelopes, paperweights, timers, markers. Objects of daily use like
plates, glasses and other tableware, and adventurous excursions (even
a little kitsch) into the world of food products with tins of tomatoes,
sweets, wines and even a packet of chocolate.
Then there are the unforgettable, at least for those familiar with the
era) Liebig cards, published in at least three editions, Italian, French
and German, while the maestro was still alive (as later occurred for
the Beatles). The places where Verdi lived, the house where he was born
in Roncole, Busseto, Sant'Agata, Milano, La Scala, all enjoy the reflected
glory of the myth, reproduced for all eternity in drawings, lithographs,
paintings and artistic exploits that use the most modern techniques,
even resin and plastic. A pop star and the sites of the myth, we could
define them in modern media language. Perhaps no one even remembers
that "Viva Verdi" any longer. The master of melodrama has become legend
and has lost his connection to the history of Italy and its heroes.
In the myth, as is only right and proper, all that is left is the great
Maestro, alone.
The exhibition will remain open from May 19 to July 29, 2001, every
day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. except Monday.
For information contact I.A.T. (Informazioni Accoglienza Turistica),
tel. 0521/218967
E-mail: turismo@comune.parma.it
Website: www.giuseppeverdi.it
Information for journalists: (REFERENCES NOT FOR PUBLICATION)
Barbara Pecchini,
tel. 0521/218914 - fax 0521/231142
E-mail: pigorinistampa@comune.parma.it
Carla Soffritti, Ella Studio,
tel. 0335/8388895
E-mail: info@ella.it
Download high-resolution images in jpeg format from website www.giuseppeverdi.it
