by InTrieste
On Wednesday, November 13, Trieste will commemorate the 70th anniversary of its return to Italy with a special concert-lecture at the historic Palazzo Gopcevich, located in the heart of the city. The event, titled The Chamber Music of Giulio Viozzi, Trieste 1954, The New Beginning, will spotlight the life and work of the renowned Trieste-born composer, whose music became a defining part of the city’s cultural resurgence after World War II.
The performance, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Palazzo’s elegant Bazlen Hall, will feature a tribute to Viozzi’s Trio Pro Musica and his flute compositions. The event is the third installment of a series curated by Stefano Bianchi, dedicated to Viozzi’s chamber music and organized by the Carlo Schmidl Civic Theater Museum. This series is part of a broader cultural initiative supported by the City of Trieste and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, marking a milestone in the city’s post-war history.
Viozzi (1912-1984), a key figure in Trieste’s musical community, composed a number of chamber works that reflect his deep connections with fellow musicians in the city. His trio compositions, blending the cello and piano with instruments like the clarinet, violin, and flute, were often inspired by the musical ensembles that flourished in Trieste in the 1950s and 1960s. Notable among these was the Trio Pro Musica, which included Roberto Repini (piano), Bruno Dapretto (flute), and Adriano Vendramelli (cello).
The program for this special event will feature a performance by the Lumen Harmonicum Instrumental Group, with Giorgio Marcossi on flute, Massimo Favento on cello, and Corrado Gulin on piano. The group will be joined by musicologist and critic Corrado Maurel, who will provide context and insights into Viozzi’s works.
The centerpiece of the evening will be Viozzi’s Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano (1960), composed specifically for Trio Pro Musica. The piece demonstrates Viozzi’s unique ability to weave intricate themes across three instruments, evolving naturally from earlier works while incorporating influences that predate the progressive rock movements of the 1970s. The concert will also feature the Peripezie for flute and piano (1962), written for famed Trieste-born flutist Milos Pahor, as well as Il ruscello magico, a 1932 piano piece, along with a selection of unpublished compositions by Viozzi.
The event not only celebrates Trieste’s rich cultural history but also the resilience and artistic vision of one of its most important musical figures. Admission is free, and seats will be available until full capacity is reached.
In a year that marks both a historic anniversary for Trieste and the continuing influence of its artists, this concert promises to be an evocative tribute to the city’s creative legacy.
