Italy’s great musical archaeologist and one of
the outstanding improvisers of his country,
Gianluigi Trovesi with “Profumo di Violetta”
indulges in his love for the emotional drama
and musical beauty of Italian opera. (The title
simultaneously alludes to the protagonist of
Verdi’s famous opera “La traviata” and to the
flower’s sweet perfume.) Accompanied by the
characteristic North-Italian provincial “banda”,
a large wind orchestra with percussion as we
find it in the on-stage-music of most Verdi
operas, Trovesi takes us on a humorous journey
through the history of the genre.
It starts with Monteverdi’s “Orfeo”, includes
many highlights from “La traviata” before briefly
visiting Mascagni and Puccini.
The popular and the sublime, irony and unrestrained
pathos meet with an improvisational spirit that
conveys the pure joy of music making. One of
the most unorthodox albums in this year’s release
schedule, Trovesi’s opera project is likely to win
many enthusiastic listeners among opera lovers
and open-minded jazz enthusiasts.
