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Alessandro Baricco, Stefano Bollani, Enrico Rava
Novecento: il duello
A pianist named after a century, who distills the vastness of the world into the keys of his piano—Novecento, Alessandro Baricco’s theatrical monologue that later became a novel, a film, a graphic novel, and even a playlist, continues to inspire stories, sounds, and visions. In Piazza Duomo, a special performance brings it to life, narrated by Baricco himself and performed by the eclectic pianist Stefano Bollani, winner of the 2023 David di Donatello for his score for Il pataffio.
In art, Stevenson once said, all that matters is the magic dust. And if anyone deals in this magic dust when it comes to storytelling, it is Alessandro Baricco. Whether writing about music or architecture, his hypnotic narrative style conjures enchantment and wonder. Together, Baricco and Bollani take the stage for a duel of text and music, a challenge Bollani describes as “a direct confrontation between words and sound.” Enhancing this interplay is the legendary trumpeter Enrico Rava, one of Italy’s most internationally celebrated jazz musicians.
On one side stands Novecento, a character who embodies the dazzling eclecticism of his era, absorbing every influence—from jazz to Debussy, from folk to non-Western traditions—and transforming it into something extraordinary. On the other, Jelly Roll Morton, the American pianist and self-proclaimed inventor of jazz, boards the ocean liner determined to defeat this enigmatic Novecento, whose reputation he finds unbearable. “To summon him at the keyboard,” says Bollani, “is like stepping into myth.”
As we already know, Novecento emerges victorious. But he does so not just through his breathtaking talent. Where Morton plays to dominate, Novecento plays out of sheer curiosity. He wins because, instead of meeting aggression with aggression, he counters it with the power of wonder—the desire to learn something new from his rival.
with Alessandro Baricco and Stefano Bollani
and with Enrico Rava
from an idea of Alessandro Baricco, Stefano Bollani and Alessio Bertallot
production Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds
in collaboration with Ponderosa
INFORMATION
Please note that dates and times may change.
For updates consult the website www.festivaldispoleto.com
Alessandro Baricco is one of Italy's most versatile contemporary writers. Known for his bestselling novels Castelli di rabbia (winner of the Premio Selezione Campiello and the Prix Médicis Étranger in 1991), Oceano Mare (winner of the Premio Viareggio in 1993), and Seta (1996, translated into 16 languages), Baricco has also enjoyed a prolific career as a television host, cultural commentator, playwright, and essayist. His fourth essay, I Barbari (2006), examined the relationship between writing and the digital cultural revolution. In his most recent book, The Game (2018), Baricco revisited this theme, broadening the discussion to explore the impact of the digital revolution on humanistic thought and culture at large. The book serves as the intellectual preface to the principles Baricco applied to the curriculum of the Academy of the Holden School, which he founded in 1994 in Turin. His latest novel, Abel, was published by Feltrinelli in 2023.
Stefano Bollani has built a multifaceted career that seamlessly bridges jazz and classical music. Renowned for his versatility and boundless creativity, he has performed alongside legends such as Chick Corea, Richard Galliano, and Bill Frisell, as well as with prestigious orchestras including the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig and La Scala in Milan. His discography includes acclaimed recordings for ECM and ACT Records, earning him numerous accolades, including the esteemed European Prize. Beyond music, Bollani is also an accomplished writer and television host, bringing his signature wit and artistry to programs such as Via dei Matti Numero Zero on Italy’s Rai3.
Enrico Rava is one of the most esteemed figures in international jazz. Active since the 1960s, he has collaborated with legendary artists such as Joe Henderson, Pat Metheny, Archie Shepp, and Michel Petrucciani. His recordings for prestigious labels like ECM have solidified his reputation as a visionary musician, earning him numerous accolades, including the Jazzpar Prize and the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in France. In recent years, Rava has continued to explore new artistic horizons, leading projects such as the Fearless Five quintet and engaging in collaborations with a new generation of talented musicians.
William Kentridge
Sonia Wieder—Atherton & Clément Cogitore
Ersan Mondtag, Berliner Ensemble
