Le parole dei mesi

Atop the rolling hills of Montefeltro sits the picturesque Italian village Pennabilli, a meeting point for some of the most influential artists, poets, and thinkers of the 20th century. Throughout this vibrant town art and poetry abound at every corner. Poems, short stories, sculptures and Buddhist shrines all merge with glimpses of the breathtaking countryside to make a powerful impression on visitors who are open to discover the community’s hidden wonders. Just outside the city wall, a quaint garden, “L’orto dei frutti dimenticati,” houses an old wash basin where ancient stone walls are adorned with ceramic tiles inscribed with Tonino Guerra’s poems “Le parole dei mesi.” Each tile features a drawing and a short poem inspired by a different month of the year. Guerra’s words transport the reader into a timeless, magical world rich with vivid imagery. With just a few concise words he is able to profoundly capture the essence of each month and forge a mystic communion between the reader and the world around them.

This setting of Le parole dei mesi captures Guerra’s imagery in music. It paints the sounds and sculpts the rhythms of the Italian language with musical gestures to vividly communicate the emotions of each season to the listener. The work embodies the glorious sights, smells, and flavors of the Italian countryside and builds on the tradition of the Renaissance madrigal to create a harmony between language and song, image and emotion, between words and music.  Le parole dei mesi was composed between March and July 2023 and premiered by the young artists of Classic Lyric Arts in the Teatro Sociale of Novafeltria under the direction of the composer.

TEXT AND TRANSLATIONS

GENNAIO / JANUARY
coi rumori che lasciano impronte sulla neve
with the sounds which leave tracks in the snow

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FEBBRAIO / FEBRUARY
i colori dei vestiti che ballano
the colors of the clothes that dance

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MARZO / MARCH
i fiori dei mandorli per le api affamate
the flowers of the almond trees for the hungry bees

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APRILE / APRIL
con tutta la fantasia che ha sonno
with all the fantasy which is sleepy

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MAGGIO / MAY
i petali di rosa che ridono
the rose petals which laugh

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GIUGNO /JUNE
coi piedi scalzi a toccare l’acqua
with bare feet touching the water

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LUGLIO / JULY
il sole rovente caduto a terra
the blazing sun falling on the earth

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AGOSTO / AUGUST
col mare dentro agli occhi
with the sea in your eyes

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SETTEMBRE / SEPTEMBER
la musica della pioggia negli orecchi
the music of the rain in the ears
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OTTOBRE / OCTOBER
i tappeti di foglie secche sotto i piedi
the carpets of dry leaves beneath the feet
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NOVEMBRE / NOVEMBER
con le sciarpe di nebbia attorno al collo
with the scarves of fog around the neck
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DICEMBRE / DECEMBER
con le parole delle favole sul fuoco
with the words of the fables on the fire

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