updated 15 January 2024
© Universal

Giorgio Battistelli

Italian composer born 25 April 1953 in Albano Laziale, Roma.

Giorgio Battistelli received a diploma in musical composition, aesthetics, and history from the Conservatorio statale di Musica Alfredo Casella in 1978. Six years earlier, he and some friends had founded the Edgard Varèse improvisation group, as well as the instrumental ensemble Beat ’72. In 1975, he attended Karlheinz Stockhausen’s and Mauricio Kagel’s composition seminars in Cologne. Battistelli continued his studies in Paris, where he took lessons from Gaston Sylvestre and Jean-Pierre Drouet in contemporary musical theater technique and performance in 1978 and 1979. This experience marked the beginning of his interest in musical theater.

Battistelli established strong links to German musical life, helped by a work grant at the SWR broadcasting center in Baden-Baden in 1983 followed by a residence at the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst from 1985 to 1986. Several German institutions commissioned important pieces from him, such as the Theater Bremen, the Nationaltheater Mannheim, the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, the State Opera of Hannover, the Munich Biennale, and the Ensemble Modern. In the 2000s, other institutions followed suit, including the Flemish Opera in Antwerp (2005-2006), the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf (2007-2008), and the Teatro San Carlo in Naples (2012).

Battistelli became an artistic director early on in his career. He worked successively in various Italian institutions, including the Fondazione Cantiere Internazionale d’Arte in Montepulciano where he took Hans Werner Henze’s position from 1985 to 1996, the Orchestra della Toscana (1996-2002, then from 2011 until present), the Società Aquilana dei Concerti (2000-2005, becoming president in 2009), the Accademia Filarmonica Romana (2005-2007), the Biennale Musica in Venice (2004-2007), the Fondazione Arena di Verona (2006-2007), the Festival Puccini (since 2020), and the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trente (since 2021). During his tenure at the Orchestra della Toscana, he collaborated with Luciano Berio’s Centro Tempo Reale in Florence and the University of Padova’s Centro di Sonologia Computazionale, where he worked with Alvise Vidolin.

Battistelli has been a faculty member at Santa Cecilia in Rome since 2004. From 2006 to 2007, he taught musical theater at the Jerwood Opera Writing Fellowships in Aldeburgh and the musical theater masterclass “Progetto Opera” at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena in 2012.

Battistelli explores musical theater throughout his catalog, in pieces such as Experimentum Mundi (1981), The Cenci (1997) inspired by Antonin Artaud, the ballet Il fiore delle mille e una note (1999) inspired by Pier Paolo Pasolini, and Richard III (2004), alongside purely instrumental pieces. In his work, Battistelli “explores the whole range of the dramaturgy of instrumental sound, conceiving his works for a certain number of characters embodied in rhythmic and melodic figures, sections for orchestra or solo instruments.”1 He also focuses on extending the classical conception of an instrumentalist, as illustrated by the opera Experimentum Mundi, in which sixteen artisans play the role of percussionists with the music incorporating the rhythm of their daily activity.

Battistelli’s works have been published by Ricordi since 1986.

Prizes and Awards

  • Venice Biennale Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, 2022
  • Commendatore dell’Ordine al merito della Repubblica Italiana, 2013
  • Herald Angel Award, awarded by Scottish music critics for Experimentum Mundi, 2009
  • Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, French Ministry of Culture, 2003
  • Cervo award for contemporary music, 1993
  • SIAE Award for opera, 1990

1. Page on Giorgio Battistelli, Centre de documentation de la musique contemporaine. ↩


© Ircam-Centre Pompidou, 2023

Sources

Site du compositeur, Ricordi, CDMC

  • Solo (excluding voice)
  • Chamber music
    • Cosmuniclef for flûte, guitar and percussions (1973), Inédit
    • Notte for electric guitar and percussions (1973), Inédit
    • Opera Incerta for violin, viola and cello (1978), 8 mn, Ricordi
    • Ostinato version for 3 percussionists by Gianluca Ruggeri (1986), 16 mn, Ricordi
    • Psychopompos for six percussionists (1988), 18 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Chanson de geste for harp, percussion, tape and two interactive videos (1990), 35 mn, Ricordi
    • Heliopolis I for percussionist quartet (1992), 35 mn, Ricordi
    • Orazi e Curiazi for two percussionists (1996), 13 mn, Ricordi
    • Struggenze for string quartet (2013), 6 mn, Ricordi
  • Instrumental ensemble music
  • Concertant music
    • elec Anarca Hommage à Ernst Jünger, for orchestra (1988-1989), 16 mn, Ricordi
  • Vocal music and instrument(s)
    • stage Le Duc d’Albe opera in four acts by Eugène Scribe and Charles Duveyrier.Critical revision by Roger Parker, music by Gaetano Donizetti, with completion by Giorgio Battistelli (), 40 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Pitosforo Tabiria for soprano, percussions and magnetic tape (1971), Inédit
    • elec Aria antica dal XX secolo for soprano, tenor, synthesizer and kettledrums (1973), Inédit
    • Metempsicosi for soprano, three recorders and ornitophones (1974), Inédit
    • stage Omaggio a Pulcinella Neapolitan musical theater (1976), Inédit
    • elec stage Experimentum Mundi work of imagistic music for one actor, five natural voices of women, sixteen craftsmen and a percussionist (1981), 60 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Aphrodite monodrama of ancient customs (1983), 50 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Jules Verne chamber fantasy in performance form for percussion trio, three voices, trumpet and piano (1987), 60 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Keplers Traum chamber opera (1989-1990), 60 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Ascolto di Rembrandt for voice, small orchestra and recording (1991), 37 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Teorema parable in music, in two acts (1991-1992), 1 h 10 mn, Ricordi
    • Begleitmusik zu einer Dichtspielszene for twelve instruments and six scenes ad libitum (1994), 33 mn, Ricordi
    • Paz Music for two voices and orchestra (1993-1994), 20 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Prova d’orchestra six musical scenes of the end of the century (1994-1995), 1 h 20 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit musical theater in five scenes after Sten Nadolny's novel (1996), 1 h 10 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Tre voci for voice and orchestra (1996), 38 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage The Cenci musical theater after Antonin Artaud (1997), 1 h 20 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Frau Frankenstein monodrama of the Modern Prometheus (1997-1998), 35 mn, Ricordi
    • Giacomo mio, salviamoci! for voice and orchestra (1997-1998), 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • Da Pasolini suite for orchestra and choir after Il fiore delle Mille e una notte (1999), 17 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Impressions d’Afrique musical theater after Raymond Roussel (1999-2000), 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Auf den Marmorklippen musical visions based on the novel by Ernst Jünger (2000-2001), 1 h 40 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Planctus for choir, brass instruments, percussion and tape (2001), 25 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage The Embalmer playful chamber monodrama (2001-2002), 1 h 10 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage El otoño del patriarca opera in six scenes after Gabriel García Márquez (2003), 1 h 50 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Experimentum Mundi Remix work of imagistic music for one actor, five natural voices of women, sixteen craftsmen, a percussionist and live electronics (1981-2004), 60 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Richard III (2004), 2 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda opera after Claudio Monteverdi (2005), 35 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Parthenope for reciting voice and nine instruments (2006), 33 mn, Ricordi
    • Vijidaes musical visions for mixed choir, two male choirs, brass instruments, percussion and cows (2006), 40 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Miracolo a Milano musical theater freely adapted from Totò il buono by Cesare Zavattini and Miracolo a Milano by Vittorio De Sica (2006-2007), 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • stage The Fashion worldly opera in twelve scenes (2007), 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • Angeli for baritone and orchestra with children's choir ad libitum (2008), 15 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Circulata melodia for choir or vocal quartet and bells (2008), 5 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Divorzio all’italiana action music for the twilight of the family (2007-2008), 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Sinfonia da Experimentum Mundi opera of imaginary music for reciting voices, small orchestra and craftsmen (1981-2008), 60 mn, Ricordi
    • Coro di morti for mixed choir and percussions (2011), 6 mn, Ricordi
    • I-150 Italian anthem for musical instruments of the world (2011), 12 mn, Ricordi
    • Eudousi for baritone and ensemble (2012), 8 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Napucalisse grotesque oratorio for soloists, children's choir, mixed choir and orchestra (2012), 55 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Il Medico dei Pazzi Neapolitan musical action (2014), 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage CO2 opera for mixed choir, white voice choir, orchestra and backstage ensemble (2015), 1 h 35 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Lot opera in three acts for mixed choir and orchestra (2015), 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • stage 7 minuti factory council, opera for choir and orchestra (2018), 2 h, Ricordi
    • stage Wake musical theater for mixed choir and orchestra (2018), 1 h 15 mn, Ricordi
    • Ja, lauft nur for voice and orchestra (2020), 20 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Le baruffe musical theater after Goldoni for mixed choir and orchestra (2019-2020), 1 h 40 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Julius Caesar opera for mixed choir, children's choir and orchestra (2019-2021), 2 h, Ricordi
  • A cappella vocal music
  • Unspecified instrumentation
  • 2021
    • stage Julius Caesar opera for mixed choir, children's choir and orchestra, 2 h, Ricordi
    • Toccata for orchestra, 8 mn, Ricordi
  • 2020
    • Ja, lauft nur for voice and orchestra, 20 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Le baruffe musical theater after Goldoni for mixed choir and orchestra, 1 h 40 mn, Ricordi
  • 2018
    • stage 7 minuti factory council, opera for choir and orchestra, 2 h, Ricordi
    • Exforma 2 for orchestra, 10 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Wake musical theater for mixed choir and orchestra, 1 h 15 mn, Ricordi
  • 2017
    • Exforma 1 transformation for orchestra, 15 mn, Ricordi
  • 2015
    • elec stage CO2 opera for mixed choir, white voice choir, orchestra and backstage ensemble, 1 h 35 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Lot opera in three acts for mixed choir and orchestra, 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
    • Eudousi for baritone and ensemble, 8 mn, Ricordi
    • Mystery Play for orchestra, 16 mn about , Ricordi
    • stage Napucalisse grotesque oratorio for soloists, children's choir, mixed choir and orchestra, 55 mn, Ricordi
    • Pacha Mama for orchestra, 15 mn, Ricordi
    • Sciliar for chamber orchestra, 11 mn, Ricordi
  • 2011
  • 2010
    • H 375 for orchestra, 24 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Sconcerto musical theater for actor and orchestra, 60 mn, Ricordi
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
    • elec stage Miracolo a Milano musical theater freely adapted from Totò il buono by Cesare Zavattini and Miracolo a Milano by Vittorio De Sica, 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
    • Snape Skyscapes for orchestra, 18 mn, Ricordi
    • stage The Fashion worldly opera in twelve scenes, 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
  • 2006
    • Après Josquin for orchestra, 12 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Lettera a Francis Bacon for large orchestra and invisible orchestra, 26 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Parthenope for reciting voice and nine instruments, 33 mn, Ricordi
    • Vijidaes musical visions for mixed choir, two male choirs, brass instruments, percussion and cows, 40 mn, Ricordi
  • 2005
  • 2004
    • elec stage Experimentum Mundi Remix work of imagistic music for one actor, five natural voices of women, sixteen craftsmen, a percussionist and live electronics, 60 mn, Ricordi
    • Meandri for orchestra, 13 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Richard III, 2 h 30 mn, Ricordi
  • 2003
  • 2002
    • elec stage The Embalmer playful chamber monodrama, 1 h 10 mn, Ricordi
  • 2001
    • elec stage Auf den Marmorklippen musical visions based on the novel by Ernst Jünger, 1 h 40 mn, Ricordi
    • elec Planctus for choir, brass instruments, percussion and tape, 25 mn, Ricordi
    • Trama for a performer, Inédit
  • 2000
    • Etüde after Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit, for orchestra, 14 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Impressions d’Afrique musical theater after Raymond Roussel, 1 h 30 mn, Ricordi
  • 1999
  • 1998
  • 1997
    • elec stage The Cenci musical theater after Antonin Artaud, 1 h 20 mn, Ricordi
  • 1996
  • 1995
    • stage Prova d’orchestra six musical scenes of the end of the century, 1 h 20 mn, Ricordi
    • Teta veleta homage to Pier Paolo Pasolini for strings and percussions, 13 mn, Ricordi
  • 1994
  • 1992
    • Heliopolis I for percussionist quartet, 35 mn, Ricordi
    • stage Teorema parable in music, in two acts, 1 h 10 mn, Ricordi
  • 1991
  • 1990
    • elec Chanson de geste for harp, percussion, tape and two interactive videos, 35 mn, Ricordi
    • Erlebnis for nine instruments, 12 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Globe Theatre ballet at the turn of the millennium, 30 mn, Ricordi
    • elec stage Keplers Traum chamber opera, 60 mn, Ricordi
  • 1989
  • 1988
  • 1987
    • stage Jules Verne chamber fantasy in performance form for percussion trio, three voices, trumpet and piano, 60 mn, Ricordi
  • 1986
    • Ostinato version for 3 percussionists by Gianluca Ruggeri, 16 mn, Ricordi
  • 1983
    • stage Aphrodite monodrama of ancient customs, 50 mn, Ricordi
  • 1981
    • elec stage Experimentum Mundi work of imagistic music for one actor, five natural voices of women, sixteen craftsmen and a percussionist, 60 mn, Ricordi
  • 1980
  • 1979
  • 1978
  • 1977
    • elec Hommage for 12 friction drums and magnetic tape, Inédit
  • 1976
  • 1975
  • 1974
    • Calcolo installation of pipes and 400 marbles in movement, Inédit
    • Metempsicosi for soprano, three recorders and ornitophones, Inédit
  • 1973
  • 1971
  • Date de composition inconnue
    • stage Le Duc d’Albe opera in four acts by Eugène Scribe and Charles Duveyrier.Critical revision by Roger Parker, music by Gaetano Donizetti, with completion by Giorgio Battistelli, 40 mn, Ricordi

Lien Internet

(liens vérifiés en janvier 2024).

Bibliogaphie

  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, « A la reconquête de l’écoute », in Margareta NICULESCU (dir.), La marionnette et les autres arts : musiques en mouvements, [S.l.], Éditions Institut International de la Marionnette, 1993, p. 24-27.

Discographie sélective

  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, « Le Duc d’Albe », 2 CD Dynamic, 2013, CDS 7665/1-2.
  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, Afterthought (About a Shakespearean tragedy) ; Begleitmusik zu einer Dichtspielszene ; Anarca (Hommage à Ernst Jünger), dans « L’Anarca », Stradivarius, Ricordi Oggi, 2009, STR 57013.
  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, « Prova D’Orchestra », Flanders Opera Symphony Chorus, Flanders Opera Symphony Orchestra, Luca Pfaff : direction, 1 CD Stradivarius, Ricordi Oggi, 2008, STR 57004.
  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, « Experimentum Mundi », 1 CD Stradivarius, 2005, STR 33730.
  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, « Frau Frankenstein / Begleitmusik Zu Einer Dichtspielszene », BMG Ricordi, 1997, 74321465302.
  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, Ostinato ; Anima ; Uno e trino ; Comme un opéra fabuleux, dans « Ostinato », 1 CD Edizioni Musicali Il Pontesonoro, 1989, PVD 96.01.
  • Giorgio BATTISTELLI, « Experimentum Mundi », 1 vinyle Fonia Records, 1983, Fonia 503.