La Trasparenza della Parola: The Transparency of the Word
Music, Video & Electronics by Andrea Liberovici
Text by Emilio Jona
Inspired by and dedicated to Primo Levi
Performed by Le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, Lorraine Vaillancourt, director
North American Tour: October, 2010
La Trasparenza della parola is an homage in nine movements dedicated to Primo Levi (1919-1987), a JewishItalian chemist, holocaust survivor and author of memoirs,
short stories, poems, essays and novels. He is best known
for his work on the Holocaust, and particularly for his
account of the year he spent as a prisoner at Auschwitz. If
This Is A Man (published in the United states as Survival in
Auschwitz) has been described as one of the most important
works of the twentieth century.
both as precious historical testimonials and as reflections on
human nature, even in its darkest moments: “only the awareness of memory can ensure us a better future”.
“I would like to thank the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, Lorraine Vaillancourt, MiTo, and Enzo Restagno for having
provided the opportunity for this exploration. I would particularly like to thank Emilio Jona, a family friend, whom I have
always known as “Tonton“, who gave me this text – a text he
had written for my father, who, unfortunately was unable for a
variety of reasons to complete the work – in a sort of “passing of
the torch”. I can only hope to have been equal to the challenge”.
—Andrea Liberovici
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Performance History:
World premiere: September 16, 2009,
Teatro Piccolo Regio. Torino, Italy.
Second performance: September 17, 2009 in Genoa
The libretto, by the Italian poet and writer Emilio Jona,
flows from nine key words from the novels of Primo Levi.
Originally conceived as a vocal cantata, La Trasperenza della
Parola has been recast as a cantata for instrumentalists. Le
Nouvel Ensemble Modern eloquently interprets Levi’s stunning realism in music and invites the audience to reflect on
its message of peace.
The text is projected in translation on a scrim between the
ensemble and the audience. Like the sur-titles of Berthold
Brecht, the words both anticipate and suggest a possible interpretation of the music. Soloists and groups of musicians
punctuate and underscore the meaning of the words.
Behind the ensemble, a back projection provides a visual
evocation of memory through “explicit shadows” that enter
into dialogue with the music and the text.
Andrea Liberovici, the composer, videographer and creator
of electronics for La Trasparenza considers Levi’s works
North American Tour:
Montreal, ca. October 20, 2010
New York City, October 26, 2010,
in collaboration with the Centro Primo Levi
US and Canadian Tour around these dates: Boston, Albany,
Philadelphia, Washington D.C.
Tour of Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina: November, 2011
European Availability: Autumn 2010 and Spring 2011
Duration: 35 minutes. Program can be completed by a
work already in progress: Eight Jewish traditional songs
with acoustical instruments and electronic sounds and visuals by Andrea Liberovici based on eight paintings by Serena
Nono, grand-daughter of Arnold Schoenberg.
Barbara Scales, Director
109 St. Joseph Blvd. West
Montréal Qc Canada h2t 2p7
Tel: 514 276 2694
E-mail: [email protected]
www.latitude45arts.com