LUNCHTIME CONCERTS AT THE CORREALE MUSEUM

Appointments dedicated to art and music.

One of the most important architectural structures of artistic and cultural interest in the Campania region, the Correale di Terranova Museum in Sorrento, this year continues its annual appointment with art and music that met with great success in its past editions.
The programme for the 2005 season, presented by the Museum Board of Directors and by the Sorrento Concert Society, is a strong example of a highly intelligent and painstaking cultural work, particularly since it allows the Museum further promotion as area organizer of cultural and artistic events. A visit to the Museum arouses interest and attention, both for art lovers and lovers of decorative art works and archaeology. The collection of inlaid woodwork furniture and bureaus in rare and exotic woods confirms the typical local craft which, especially in the 19th century, reached noteworthy levels of technical skill.

The paintings section ranges from the 15th to 19th centuries, though the basic nucleus is composed of the still life collection from the 17th and 18th century Neapolitan school and by a conspicuous series of landscapes from the Posillipo school, two incomparable sources for in-depth study into these splendid periods of southern region civilization. And more: veneered drawer cabinets in ebony and tortoiseshell, priceless works of 17th century Neapolitan carpentry; 18th century chests of drawers, enriched with inlaid gilt brass and marble shelves; English chinoiserie pieces from the first quarter of the 18th century; French, German and Swiss clocks in gilt bronze frames with mother of pearl and semi-precious stone inserts; Murano glass, Bohemian crystal, fabrics, majolica and porcelains. Finally, but no less important, is the specialist library in the Museum. As in recent years, each date on the programme, planned on one Sunday morning per month, includes a visit of the museum at 10 am led by Lucio Esposito, followed by the concert at 11.30 am in the “Hall of Mirrors”.

The concerts will be given by artists of acknowledged national and international fame.
As an exception, only for the inaugural event on 5 October 2005, an evening appointment is planned: 8 pm the guided visit and at 9 pm the concert, on stage the celebrated violinist Gil Sharon (Queen of the Netherlands Award) and the Ensemble Amati (Gil Sharon – violin; Ilie Ionescu – cello; Alexandra Brucher – piano). Due to its importance, this event will be attended by the Chairman of the Maastricht Provincial Government (already the official guest of the Ensemble Amati in the days prior to this event, at the International Festival of Cremona) who, visiting Sorrento from 3 to 5 October, will have the opportunity to admire the collection of Flemish paintings held at the Correale Museum. The visit of such a political authority is a significant moment for the Sorrento Local Government, in terms of tourist and cultural policy with the Netherlands.

The next two Sunday morning appointments involve other famous artists from the international concert circuit:

Sunday 20 November 2005, Stefano Caruso – guitar

Sunday 18 December 2005, the “PIEMONTE IN MUSICA” Ensemble with Dario Destefano – cello and Maurizio Barboro – piano.

For the remainder of the winter and spring, further appointments are planned. Patrons of the concert programme, managed under the skilful artistic direction of Maestro Paolo Scibilia, include the Council of Ministers, the Ministry for University Education and Research, the Ministry for Cultural Heritage, the Campania Regional Government, the Sorrento Local Government, hoteliers association Federalberghi della Penisola Sorrentina and A.Gi.Mus.

© Copyright Surrentum October 2005