by InTrieste
In a major win for Italy, the UN cultural agency UNESCO announced on Wednesday that Italian opera singing has earned its spot on the coveted list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano didn’t hold back in his praise, calling the recognition “a great success for all of Italy and a recognition of its history.”
Adding to the jubilation, Beatrice Venezi, the music advisor to the culture minister, shared her enthusiasm, stating that the acknowledgment “makes us proud as an opera community and as Italians,” highlighting the living art form’s integral role as a “fundamental pillar of our culture.”
UNESCO, in a detailed statement, described Italian opera singing as “a physiologically controlled way of singing that enhances the carrying power of the voice in acoustic spaces such as auditoriums, amphitheaters, arenas, and churches.” The organization underscored the unique transmission of skills, noting that Italian opera singing is passed down “orally between a maestro and pupil.” This traditional approach is deeply intertwined with “specific facial expressions and body gestures” and encompasses a harmonious blend of “music, drama, acting, and staging.”
The road to UNESCO recognition for Italian opera had its twists and turns, with last year’s approval by Italy’s UNESCO commission. Notably, Italian espresso coffee faced rejection in its bid for inclusion. Italy’s rich history of opera, boasting legendary composers like Monteverdi, Puccini, Verdi, and Rossini, traces back to the premiere of Jacopo Peri’s Dafne in Florence in 1597, marking a historic milestone.
The announcement of UNESCO recognition couldn’t have come at a more fitting time, preceding the gala premiere of Verdi’s Don Carlo at Milan’s esteemed Teatro alla Scala opera house on Thursday night. This triumph not only solidifies Italy’s standing as a guardian of cultural heritage but also sets the stage for a grand celebration of Italian opera’s enduring influence on the global stage.
