Continuing his original path in the world of opera, with Venere e Adone (2021) Salvatore Sciarrino revisits a Greek myth – as he did with his first opera, Amore e Psiche (1973) –, although his reinterpretation takes on a different perspective to the classic narrative. This new work, which, not uncoincidentally bears the subtitle Naufragio di un mito [Shipwreck of a myth] – does not focus so much on the love between the  capricious goddess and the supreme shepherd-symbol of beauty, but on the Monster (the traditional boar) who, in Sciarrino’s version, causes the death of Adonis after literally kissing and caressing him to death, after being pierced by Cupid’s javelin – shot by Adonis himself – which aroused in the ‘beast’ an irrepressible impulse of love towards those who have struck him. This is how the jealous Mars carries out his revenge since he is also in love with Venus: by providing Adonis with the fatal arrow through his son Cupid. With one final twist, the monstrous creature and the young hero mutually transform into each other. Who triumphs at this point? Love or death? This is the dilemma facing the author, and in this opera he demonstrates that he has honed his minimalist language, aimed at investigating the border between sound and silence or rather, how to educate to a ‘zero degree’ of listening, through a score that is characterised by the sophisticated use of the voice with plenty of sighs, whispers, and glissando in the context of diffused syllabic song.

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Venere e Adone

Teatro La Fenice

Closing concert of the Contemporary Music Workshop

Deutsche Ensemble Akademie e.V.

The concert opens with Salvatore Sciarrino’s Le voci sottovetro, where fragments of madrigal appear as if sealed under glass, preserved yet unreachable. Jack Sheen’s own Television Continuity Poses is a poised, slow-moving ritual, while Rebecca Saunders’ Stirrings is a vivid exploration of breath, touch and resonance.

Voices Under Glass

CBSO Centre

Wigmore Hall, London

Hailed as “Australia’s most exciting young cellist” by Limelight magazine, Switzerland-based Australian musician James Morley works largely as a soloist and chamber musician. He is a specialist in contemporary music performance and demonstrates that here, anchored by  bastions of the Baroque era Colombi and Biber.

James Morley

Leeds Conservatoire

In his libretto based on Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Salvatore Sciarrino offers a fresh perspective on monstrous events. Vimbayi Kaziboni, Conductor in Residence, leads Klangforum Wien and Cantando Admont at this concert performance at the Kollegienkirche, Salzburg.

Salzburger Festspiele – Ouverture Spirituelle · Fatum – Macbeth

Kollegienkirche

Two heavy models hang like the swords of Damocles over the material, a warning to all who would attempt it: Shakespeare and Verdi. Yet Salvatore Sciarrino avoids the trap of classicism and retells the story in a fresh and utterly captivating way. In developing the libretto, Sciarrino adhered closely to Shakespeare's original, but condensed it to a minimum. The portrait of the murderous upstart and his wife, Lady Macbeth, in Verdi's four-act opera Macbeth , premiered in Florence in 1847 and one of his darkest musical dramas, illuminates the depths of the soul with a poignancy that seems to render any further interpretation superfluous.

Macbeth

The Symposion project takes up the theme of intoxication culture, going back to antiquity. The ancient social practice (cf. Plato’s Symposion) inspired an evening with music of our time, perceived in the slowly changing conditions of collective, relaxed inebriation...

Agrigento 2025 – La Cultura Dell’ Ascolto – Symposion

Teatro dell'Efebo, Agrigento

In a process of mutual encounter and connection, the musicians of Klangforum Wien will intervene musically at the city's many characteristic locations, thereby creating a city map of sounds that involves the entire urban population.

Agrigento 2025 – La Cultura Dell’ Ascolto – Urban Interaction

Tango Fenesta

Comedia Theater

Together with the VOICES Festival Berlin and director Philipp Grigorian, Klangforum Wien creates immersive listening experiences with contemporary music. The "Nachspiel" concert creates spaces for an intimate, intensive encounter between audience and artists. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the radical experience of New Music and to leave the distance between listener and performer behind.

VOICES Festival: Nachspiel

Kühlhaus, Berlin

Mariam Rezaei is a multi-award winning composer, turntablist and performer, creating music described as “high-velocity sonic surrealism’” (The Guardian). Alongside composer Matthew Shlomowitz, their co-created ‘6 scenes’ are a divine collision of lots of things they love with some allusions to conventions from opera and concerti.

Tectonics: Bbc Sso 1

Grand Hall

Join us for an enchanting evening of saxophone music at the Northwestern Bienen School of Music. Witness the remarkable talent of Sam Alvarez, a Bachelor of Music student under the guidance of Taimur Sullivan, in a recital that promises to be a memorable experience. The event will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 6:00pm CDT in the stunning Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, located within the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts at 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL.

The recital will feature a diverse program, including works by Salvatore Sciarrino, J.S. Bach, Marcos Balter, John Anthony Lennon, and Alissa Voth, showcasing the versatility and depth of the saxophone repertoire. Sam will be joined by talented musicians Isaac Boone on soprano saxophone, Ila Gupta on alto saxophone, Kurt Cox on baritone saxophone, and Nathan Canfield on piano, creating an evening of rich musical textures and compelling performances.

The Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, with its breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, provides the perfect backdrop for this event. The hall's acoustics, enhanced by undulating walls covered with African moabi wood, ensure that every note will be heard in crystal clear quality.

This event is free and open to the public, with no tickets required. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available, allowing you to enjoy the performance from anywhere in the world.

Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging musical talent and experience the beauty of saxophone music in one of the most acoustically and aesthetically pleasing venues in the country.

Sam Alvarez, saxophone

Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall

Join us for an electrifying evening of contemporary music with the Esprit Orchestra at the NEW WAVE 1 concert. This remarkable event will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 7:00 pm in the prestigious TD Music Hall, located within the Allied Music Centre at 178 Victoria St.

Under the baton of the esteemed conductor Alex Pauk, the concert will feature an array of talented artists including violin virtuoso Mark Fewer, and innovative composers Sophie Dupuis and Roydon Tse. The program promises a night of captivating performances with works that include Dupuis' "L'histoire que les vague racontent 2021-2022" for 14 musicians and live electroacoustics, and Tse's "Mobilize 2022" for sinfonietta. Additionally, the audience will be treated to Salvatore Sciarrino's "Brazil 1988" based on music by Ary Barroso, Claude Vivier's "Pulau Dewata 1977" arranged by John Rea, Chris Paul Harman's "Partita No. 2 for solo violin 2019" featuring Mark Fewer, and Akira Nishimura's "Kecak 1979" for percussion sextet.

Highlighting the evening will be the world premiere of a piece commissioned by Esprit with the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council, showcasing the orchestra's commitment to fostering new Canadian music.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the cutting-edge of contemporary orchestral music. Share your excitement on Facebook and Twitter, and stay up-to-date with Esprit Orchestra's season of innovation and excellence.

New Wave 1

Allied Music Centre

Contemporary Music Ensemble

The curious ensemble Gageego! take us on a winding journey through poetry and science. Discover new music by Britta Byström, Jesper Nordin and Anna Thorvaldsdottir that breaks down all barriers.

Salvatore Sciarrino

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 20, 2026

Contemporary Music Ensemble · Northwestern Bienen School of Music

Mar 14, 2027

No limits with Gageego! · Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

May 10, 2027

Homage to Salvatore Sciarrino Klangforum Wien · Teatro Massimo

Past events

Jun 26 - Jul 1, 2026

Venere e Adone · Teatro La Fenice

Jun 14, 2026

Closing concert of the Contemporary Music Workshop · Ensemble Modern

About

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