Festa della Musica inaugurates the furnishing by Riccardo Dalisi

Pietà de’ Turchini will inaugurate on Wednesday 21 June 2017, starting at 7:00 p.m., with a concert for the Festa della Musica, the urban furnishing project for the Gradini di Santa Caterina da Siena designed by Riccardo Dalisi. Mayor Luigi de Magistris will attend the event.

The urban regeneration project of the open space and stairway of Santa Caterina da Siena—connecting Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Santa Caterina da Siena in Naples—has now been completed. The initiative was promoted by the Fondazione Pietà de’ Turchini with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo of Turin and the Municipality of Naples, which entrusted the area to the Foundation under the “Adotta una strada” (“Adopt a Street”) programme, in collaboration with the First Municipal District.

The project, donated by architect and designer Riccardo Dalisi, completes the overall regeneration of the area between Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the Gradoni di Chiaia, including the two small squares of Cariati and Santa Caterina. This broader intervention was promoted by Pietà de’ Turchini with co-funding from the Compagnia di San Paolo and the Municipality of Naples. Dalisi had already contributed to the area with his “lampade teatrino”, sculptures, and other urban furnishings.

The event has been selected by the Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Dario Franceschini, as one of the significant initiatives promoted nationwide for the 2017 Festa della Musica. The San Rocco Children’s Choir and the Choir of the 48th School District of Naples, conducted by Salvatore Murru, will perform a programme entitled In-Cantiamoci, featuring works including Good Night by Dmitri Kabalevsky; La volpe e l’uva, La cicala e la formica, C’era una volta and Non è la forza from A lupo a lupo by Gaetano Panariello; Vois sur ton chemin and Caresse sur l’océan from Les Choristes by Bruno Coulais; and the traditional Compère Guilleri. A toast will follow, offered by Wine&the City.

This event marks the beginning of a programme of enhancement and animation through music and performance curated by Pietà de’ Turchini for this restored space, now returned to the city. During the day, the square at the foot of the staircase will serve as a resting place for students, tourists, and passers-by; in the late afternoon and evening, it will become a foyer and event space for Pietà de’ Turchini, framed by the natural backdrop of the Church of Santa Caterina da Siena, home to the Foundation’s Centre for Early Music.

Dalisi’s project includes a “sculptural bench” set against the tuff wall, featuring more than fifteen seats and a steel sculptural backrest; “sculptural planters” with seating and orange trees; and a “sculptural litter bin”. A double handrail, echoing the design of the bench, defines the staircase pathway. The total cost of the intervention amounted to €25,000. Lighting, plants, and trees were provided by the Foundation.

For further information: info@turchini.it – www.turchini.it