Gallarate (VA), 19–21 February 2026
“Giacomo Puccini” Conservatory
Teatro del Popolo | Via Palestro 5 | Gallarate (VA)
Introduction
This conference arises from the need to reassess the Italian piano repertoire between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with particular attention to the cultural practices of Hausmusik, the role of transcriptions, and the development of piano literature for children. Its aim is to shed light on composers, women composers, performers, and neglected aspects of Italian pianism, while highlighting their relevance for contemporary musicians and scholars.
The event will take place from 19 to 21 February 2026 and will include papers and lecture-recitals by graduates, doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers, early-career scholars, and keynote speakers, as well as book presentations and a round table featuring established performers and scholars. The conference is hosted by the “Giacomo Puccini” Conservatory of Music (Teatro del Popolo, Via Palestro 5, Gallarate) and is supported by the PNRR Project “Polimnia.”
Call for Proposals
The Scientific Committee invites proposals for papers from doctoral students (current or prospective), early-career researchers, and scholars on the following topics (non-exhaustive list):
- Hausmusik and its impact on Italian piano culture between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
- Transcriptions and paraphrases as tools for the dissemination and reinterpretation of repertoire
- Piano literature for children: pedagogical aims, stylistic approaches, and performance practice
- Historical and contemporary performance practices of the Italian piano repertoire
- Early recordings (piano rolls, phonographs, gramophones) and their significance for the reconstruction of performance traditions
- Interdisciplinary perspectives on Italian piano culture (for example, connections with literature, visual arts, theatre, etc.)
Proposals are invited for academic papers and lecture-recitals, with a maximum duration of 20 minutes and 40 minutes respectively, followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer session.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals must be prepared according to the following criteria:
- Title of the presentation
- Abstract (maximum 300 words)
- Short academic biography (maximum 150 words)
- In the case of a lecture-recital: indication of the repertoire to be performed
Proposals must be sent by 1 December 2025 to: polimnia@issmpuccinigallarate.it
For further information, please contact:
Prof. Silvia Del Zoppo (silvia.delzoppo@issmpuccinigallarate.it)
Scientific Committee
Silvia Del Zoppo (Pesaro Conservatory / University of Milan)
Federico Furnari (University of Milan)
Matteo Mainardi (Matera Conservatory)
