Introduction to the history of the Conservatorio di Torino (from its origins in 1945) by Claudio Mantovani

Travellers and artists who come to us, are welcomed by a nineteenth-century Renaissance- flavoured district with the consolidated presence of the imposing Bodoni Piazza. It is here, on the site of previous artefacts, that the beautiful music school was built. Designed by the archi- tect Giovanni Ricci, it is a neoclassical building officially inaugurated as the Liceo Musicale on May 8, 1928, and whose frontal facade is reminiscent of the Scala in Milan with which it shares the protective "presence" of . The process that led to naming the school after the maestro from Parma began as soon as he died in January 1901, but was only fulfilled when the Secondary School became a Conserva- tory in 1936, thus becoming the seventh Conservatory of Music in , after Milan, Palermo, Parma, Naples, Florence and Rome. This journey, often interrupted by the great historical events which constantly embroiled the city of , began much earlier, during the occupa- tion of Savoy lands in 1799 by revolutionary France. The progressive ideas of the latter, also regarding education, found a suitable breeding ground for development in our city. Turin at that time, like Italy in general, recognised its own point of reference in the prevailing melodrama, as well as its musical artistic destiny, which was bound for many years to the for- tunes and "misfortunes" of the , the almost unchallenged arbiter of our music school. With the demise of Napoleonic France, King Carlo Alberto instituted the Free Singing

school, openly confirming the music school in general that was seen as a kind of preparatory workshop for the Teatro Regio. Skipping the numerous and tortuous intermediate steps (those who are interested can find an extensive and detailed genesis of our institution in "Il Conservatorio di musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Torino – storia e documenti dalle origini al 1970" Torino Utet 1971 by Alberto Basso or in the brief history detailed on the current Conservatory website), before the school could find its way to legitimate and long-awaited expansion and success, it was necessary to wait until the end of the wars of Independence and the Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861. The teaching posts began to increase, evidenced by the numerous venue changes due to the need for more spacious classrooms.

There were countless people who persevered so that the Turin musical Institution could find proper recognition: beginning with Carlo Pedrotti (1817-1893), first Director for 14 years up to 1882, who, surrounded by talented and famous musicians and teachers allowed the school achieve levels of excellence. The graduating artists of the time soon became well-known in the theatrical world, such as the famous , Tamagno. The city, always fraught with artistic ferment, found a musical centre of gravity in the Second- ary School, which in turn received a new boost when the then well-known Giovanni Bolzoni (1841-1919) was appointed Director. For over 29 years, assisted by a wonderful faculty, he masterfully led the fate of our school and who certainly helped by the presence in Turin of the young Arturo Toscanini, who in 1896 had directed the Teatro Regio the first performance of "La Boheme" by Giacomo Puccini and whose artistic contribution culminated 43 in memora- ble concerts which he directed in 1898 for the Turin Exposition. As already mentioned, the twentieth century began with the death of Verdi, and soon the whole of Italy was overwhelmed by the tragic events of World War I that determined a signifi- cant setback for the musical development of our city. In 1916 Bolzoni left the directorship of the Secondary school which had consolidated its position within the city's institutions, con- stantly directed to find their own self-liberation from the operatic hegemony. The years that followed saw the ability of fascist ideas to establishing themselves by exploit- ing the widespread dissatisfaction in the country; the result was an urgent total command of the regime in terms of censorship and police control, including against artistic activities which greatly impeded the development of our musical institution. Franco Alfano (1876-1954) was given the difficult task of managing the Secondary school in those hard years ranging from 1923 to 1940; a well known musician (he was called to complete Puccini's Turandot) he pre- sided over the inauguration of the permanent premises of the Secondary School in Piazza Bo- doni on Tuesday, May 8, 1926 when the school already boasted 25 different teaching disci- plines. In 1925, the school had obtained equalisation (i.e. recognition by the state of its eco- nomic/legal role, a crucial preliminary step in its transformation into a Conservatory) but it was only in 1936 that it finally became the seventh Italian Conservatory under the name "Giuseppe Verdi." In the middle of World War II, the management passed to Lodovico Rocca (1895-1986) who from 1940 to 1966 was an important and enlightened second Director of the Conservatory. Numerous events still involved our fledging institution, finding the ideal watershed date of liberation from fascists in April 1945. Since then, the Conservatory of Turin continues in its work and mission to promulgate the concepts and ideals of art and freedom, so eternally dear to Turin's culture. Today, the the task of defending and maintaining these high standards is entrusted to the many good teachers.

Artist and travellers who will come to visit us, we dedicate these introductory lines waiting to welcome you in the renewed spaces of our School, which notwithstanding the succinct de- scription, is a tangible and radiant example of the history of Italy.