Ciao tutti –
Just a reminder that Festa Italiana is this weekend at the Seattle Center. Dante’s booth is in a new location, in the corner across from the doors, away from the main stage, Booth #8. It should be quieter than our old booth but still in the thick of things.
So drop by to see us and say ciao! More details on Festa’s webpage: http://festaseattle.com/
I also want to tell you about an upcoming Italian-themed musical event by the renowned local musical director and harpichordist, Byron Schenkman. Byron is featured on more than 30 CDs of Baroque and Italian music.
Byron Schenkman & Friends, a Baroque and Classical chamber music series at Benaroya Hall is presenting an evening of Italian centered music, Boccherini & Scarlatti: Italians Abroad. The concert is on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, at Third and Union in downtown Seattle, beginning at 7 pm. Prices range from $48 for Regular Price, $41 for Seniors, and $10 for Youth and Students with ID.
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries Italian musicians were in demand all over Europe and many of them became more successful abroad than they had been at home. Such is the case with all three of the composers on the program. The cellist Luigi Boccherini and the violinist Maddalena Sirmen both had extensive international performing careers. Domenico Scarlatti had a more obscure existence as a harpsichordist at the Portuguese and Spanish courts, yet his music became popular in all the other places where Boccherini and Sirmen themselves performed. Four sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti will be included to celebrate the release of Schenkman’s brand new Scarlatti CD.
Dan DeMatteis
President, Dante Alighieri Society of Washington
