Virtuosi Italiani Applauded: Mondelci and Nair Shine
Virtuosi Italiani Applauded: Mondelci and Nair Shine
The Teatro Ristori is right to focus on this fatal attraction. It doesn’t matter if the doors are open for everyone, because in order to understand and immerse oneself in the expressive beauty of music, one must appreciate all repertoires and delve deeply into them. It is not true that the interest in music is shared by everyone. Some may use music as a lullaby, as Monteverdi's Orfeo libretto once said: “Music is such that with its sweet accents, it soothes a troubled heart,” but to reach the next level of knowledge, “noble air” or love cannot ignite one's mind alone, it takes a trained ear.
In the concert by the Virtuosi Italiani, this concept comes to life: it wasn’t just a concert of film soundtracks, but a sound and emotional journey. The event featured the presence of the virtuoso saxophonist Federico Mondelci and the expressive voice of Silvia Viscardini Nair. If you were there only to listen to film music, you would have likely viewed the voice as merely an accessory, but it played an essential role. It is a privilege to engage directly with the performer, whereas many have resigned themselves to only having a virtual relationship with music.
The repertoire of film music, often performed in concert halls today, is part of this evolution. Classical music is not only about "what" you play, but "how" you play it. Popular art has its place, but it works only when one comprehends its function, technique, and execution, as well as the complexity or simplicity of the language.
The Virtuosi opened with a perfectly united sound, and the audience quickly realised it was far from an ordinary performance. As Mondelci’s saxophone reached the glissando in the ascending scale of Tango club, by Monelli, effortlessly moving into the high-pitched sound, it became evident that we were witnessing an exceptional performer. An artist capable of conveying emotions, even when the technique behind them isn’t fully understood.
The second piece highlighted the excellent quality of the arrangements, not just the melody but also the accompaniment of The Man I Love and Summertime. The version of the soundtrack from The Piano by Giovanni Indulti (who recently passed away) was magnificent. The double basses, in particular, maintained the rhythmic impulse brilliantly, with Alberto Martini as the declared soloist. At the same time, the saxophone solos of Mondelci and the vocals of Nair, masterfully interpreting Gabriel's Oboe (The Mission by Morricone), left the audience in awe.
Thus, the pages our students are practising as they enter the conservatory were brought to life on stage.
