Casino de Angeli

Neil Leonard, 

Sunday, June 11, 2023, 18:30

"Casino degli Angeli"

Presicce-Acquarica, Lecce (LE), Italy

The Casino degli Angeli is a building characterized by remarkable craftsmanship, consisting of an octagonal frescoed main floor, a loggia with balustrades, and a dramatic split staircase. Built in the second half of the 18th century during a flourishing period of agricultural culture in the lower Salento region, the Casino degli Angeli bears witness to progressive changes in the surrounding landscape—from the agricultural conversion of the 18th century to the emergence of a more recent industrial/commercial area—all while maintaining the same preciousness as a fossil.

In continuity with the research that connects performative practices to the submerged potential of particular architectures, studioconcreto has invited the interdisciplinary artist, saxophonist, and composer Neil Leonard to compose a site-specific sound piece. Leonard's composition originates from the study of Turandot, Giacomo Puccini's unfinished opera, and revisits the musical dialogue between the East and the West at the beginning of the 20th century when Puccini altered the sound of European opera by incorporating Asian themes and harmonies.

The composition resonates with the circular form of the architecture and becomes part of a lyrical installation that envelops the audience, where the archaic structure shapes new forms of perception. A fragment taken from a popular Chinese song used in Turandot is expanded over time and performed by five opera singers who, through their voices, create an expanded sonic environment.

Curated by studioconcreto

Performers: Neil Leonard, Siyin Wang, Yu Zhang, Yue Tian, Xiao Chen, Nanjin Kong

Limited seats: To participate, please send an email to: info.studioconcreto@gmail.com

Assistant Producer and Audio Specialist: Mauro Diciocia

Special thanks to the Cazzato - Carratta family and Eresie Pellegrine

Produced with the patronage of the Conservatory of Lecce and the Municipality of Presicce-Acquarica.