[ Massa ] Massa International Guitar Festival | Leisure Time Tuscany

The 23rd edition of the “Massa International Guitar Festival” – Six strings to unite the world, organized by the Associazione Musicale Massese and the Associazione Culturale Talete, with the participation of the Associazione Evergreen ASD and the precious contribution of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Carrara, the Municipality of Massa and the Department of Culture.

The Festival is included in the municipal program “Estivitá” and It includes four events that will range from classical to contemporary music, from Europe to South America, with Italian or foreign professional guitarists who have been active at an international level for years and with the promotion of young talents of the instrument.

Il first date it is set for Thursday 4th July with the Duo Masini-Costantino inside the Auditorium of the Church of San Giuseppe in Marina di Massa in via Pisa.

CURRICULUM – The guitarists Roberto Masini and Simona Costantino, born in Massa, after their first musical studies started in Massa with M° Davide Sacchetti, continued their training first with M° E. Becherucci at the Conservatory of La Spezia and then with M° F. Cucchi at the Istituto Musicale Pareggiato “P. Mascagni” in Livorno where they finished their academic studies; they improved with the most significant guitar Masters: Betho Davezac, Leo Brouwer and Oscar Ghiglia at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena where they obtained, as a guitar duo, the Diploma of Merit reserved for the best students. They are often invited to perform as a duo at the most important guitar festivals and reviews in Italy and abroad (Romania, Hungary, France, Switzerland, Spain, England, Croatia), they boast collaborations with prestigious institutions such as the State Philharmonic Orchestra “D. Lipatti” of Satu Mare (Romania), the Orchestra of the Academy “F. Liszt” of Debrecen (Hungary), the Symphony Orchestra “Città di Grosseto”, performing concerts by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Pier Petit and Antonio Vivaldi, the Ensemble Ricercare – Guitar Symphonietta of Florence guitar orchestra with which, under the direction of L. Brouwer they participated in television broadcasts (RAI 1) and in the production of a CD published by Giulia Records, “Il Bagatto” for which they recorded the double collection of poems and music “Odi et amo” with music by Claudio Vaira. They have been invited several times by the Fundaciòn Andres Segovia to perform at the “Encuentros Internacionales de guitarra Ciudad de Linares-Andres Segovia”, in 2009 on the occasion of the celebrations for the centenary of the first public performance and on the 25th anniversary of the death of the great Spanish Maestro. In 2014 they are members of the jury of the Encuentro Internacional de Guitarra y Piano “Mario Egido” in Vilches (Spain) and since 2016 of the Dimitri Fampas International Guitar Competition (Greece).

They have curated the first performances of pieces for two guitars by Oliviero Lacagnina (Concerto for two guitars and orchestra), Ugo Tonarelli (Andante Lunare), Claudio Vaira (Toccata, Fugue). Their performances have been recorded by RAI 3 and Spanish television. Their passion for the music of Astor Piazzolla and for South American music has led them to transcribe for two guitars numerous pages of compositions born for different instrumental groups, creating an original repertoire for guitar duo. Their transcriptions and performances of the music of the famous Argentine composer have received much acclaim and praise from South American musicians including Raul Maldonado.

In addition to their concert activity, they have a constant commitment to teaching at the “Pellegrini” Music-Oriented Middle School in Massarosa, the “Palma” Music High School in Massa and the Massese Music Association, manager of the Massa Municipal Music School from 1981 to 2021, of which Roberto has been the Director since 1992 and which has also produced professors and musicians active in state schools and associations.

PROGRAM of July 4th with a homage to Puccini – The program with the guitar duo will accompany listeners “Traveling between Europe and South America” also with a tribute to the historic Tuscan composer Giacomo Puccini, whose death marks 100 years and whose Tango and Waltz will be performed, alongside tangos by the Italian-Argentine musician Astor Piazzolla, the Spanish dances Andalusian and Sevillana by Gangi, a Brazilian Baiao by Bellinati, the Danza del Sur by the French Marchelie, the Hungarian Dance No. 2 by Brahms, as well as some fascinating themes from the soundtrack of the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone.

UPCOMING CONCERTS AND LOCATIONS: The recital will take place on Wednesday 17th July in the Auditorium of the Church of San Giuseppe a Marina in via Pisa are “The Baroque compositional style from tradition to the early 1900s” of the guitarist Marco Annunziati .

Different location instead for the last two concerts that will take place in the small room on the top floor of the Ugo Guidi MUG2 Museum in the centre of Massa with entrance in via Alberica n.26, and will take place Tuesday 30th July with the guitar recital “Suoni in the moonlight” by soloist Lisa Pastine, and Wednesday August 7th with “The tears of love and popular anime” by the father and daughter duo formed by guitarist Luciano Pompilio and soprano Giusy Miriam Pompilio.

INFO: Start at 9.15pm and free entry until seats are taken for all four dates with info and any requests reservation at 3471761981, also via whatsapp. Announcements with info and photos of the concerts will be visible on the social Facebook: International Guitar Festival of Massa and also of the Duo Masini-Costantino classical guitar.

Source: Press office