Past Events
"O Mio Puccini Caro"
– A Concert
Friday, 8 November 2024
7.00 pm-8.30 pm (PST)​
Vancouver Academy of Music
1270 Chestnut St, Vancouver
About the Event
A special tribute to Giacomo Puccini—one of the greatest Italian opera composers, renowned for his masterful blend of music and drama.
In honour of the 100th anniversary of Puccini’s death, pianist Emilio de Mercato (Director of the Alberta Symphony Orchestra), soprano Cara Lianne McLeod, and tenor Andrea Pinna will perform some of his most beloved arias, duets, and piano solos, while also sharing insights into his remarkable music.
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This event is offered with the generous support of Dignity Memorial (www.dignitymemorial.com) and of the Federazione Pugliese of British Columbia (www.associazionepugliese.bc.ca)
Italians Writing Beyond Borders
– A Roundtable
Wednesday, 16 October 2024
6.30 pm-8.00 pm (PDT)
History Room, Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver
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This event was generously supported by the Headquarters of the Dante Society in Rome.
About the Event
A bilingual cultural event celebrating Italian writers abroad who continue to enrich the Italian literary tradition through transcultural creativity. This hybrid roundtable (in-person and via Zoom) brings together Italian authors and scholars from the North American literary scene discussing their transcultural experiences in life and in writing. Featured participants:
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Michela Valmori (E c’erano gerani rossi dappertutto)
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Antonio D’Alfonso (The Italian Canadian Writer)
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Arianna Dagnino (Il quintetto d’Istanbul) - with her thanks to the Writers' Union of Canada & the Canada Council for the Arts for their support through the National Public Readings Program)
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Carlo Testa (Panel moderator, The University of British Columbia)
Travelling with Mediterranean Lutes
– A Masterclass
Saturday, 28 September 2024
12:00 pm
On Zoom
In English (and some Italian!)
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About the Event
Maestro Sergio Pugnalin took us an enchanting journey across the musical languages, styles, cultures, and histories of the Eastern Mediterranean. Through a variety of traditional lutes, he narrated and sang captivating stories that transcend time and borders.
Musicultural themes explored during the event:
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Wandering songs: melodies and tales that freely cross languages and cultures
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Balkan popular culture and the Ottoman ecumene
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Sephardic Jewish culture, from Spain to the East
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Songs of Xenitiá: experiencing distance from one’s homeland, from Greece to Southern Italy
If you’d like to explore all the events we’ve hosted so far, click here to view the full list in PDF format.
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If you would like to propose an event, please contact our Cultural Events Coordinator, Dr. Arianna Dagnino at aridag@me.com