Amori Veneziani

The Unlikely Collaboration between Giacomo Bortolini and Francesco Maria Piave

The Venetian 19th century (the Ottocento) is perhaps a less fascinating era than those preceding it, yet it was a century when European intellectuals passed through, fell in love with, and sometimes even made the lagoon their home.

Among the many artists of the period, Giacomo Bortolini stands out. He was a simple house painter at the Royal Arsenal of Venice and thus lacked a formal education; nevertheless, he produced a significant body of musical work and enjoyed great, albeit ephemeral, success. A substantial portion of his production was published by the renowned Casa Ricordi.

From this output, this event highlights a collection of eight chamber ariettas published in 1855 by Tito Ricordi titled “Ariette Veneziane.” The lyrics for this collection were penned by another illustrious son of the lagoon, Francesco Maria Piave.

The year 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Bortolini‘s passing and the 170th anniversary of the publication of “Amori Veneziani.”

This performance will be a journey through a century of Venetian history, exploring the curiosities and atmospheres that traversed the city’s calli and canals during one of the most culturally rich periods Venice has ever experienced.