Nono - Intolleranza 1960

Nono - Intolleranza 1960

'Intolleranza 1960' (1961) is a one-act opera in two parts by Italian composer Luigi Nono (1924-1990). The composer dedicated the work to his father-in-law, Arnold Schoenberg. Intolleranza 1960 was Nono’s first work for theatre, intended to be a new form of musical theatre. Describing the piece as an “azione scenica” – a “stage action” – rather than an opera, Nono explored new compositional techniques, using electronic music and pre-recorded tapes. Nono wrote the Italian libretto himself, based on an idea by Angelo Maria Ripellino. The work tells the story of a migrant who returns to his native land. On his journey, he gets caught up in a political protest, is arrested, tortured, and imprisoned in a concentration camp. His longing for home becomes an urge for freedom. Lothar Zagrosek leads the Orchestra and Choir of Teatro la Fenice. Among the soloists are Stefan Vinke (migrant), Cornelia Horak (the migrant’s companion), Julie Mellor (a woman), Alessandro Paliaga (an Algerian), and Michael Leibundgut (a victim of torture). This performance was recorded at Teatro la Fenice in Venice, Italy, on January 28, 2011.