Dante Alighieri Society Liverpool

The Week of Italian Language in the World is an annual event (this year at the 25th edition) under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs involving a global network of Italian Cultural Institutions, language departments, schools and associations. The Department of Languages, Cultures and Film traditionally hosts the Italian Week with a series of cultural events, performances, concerts and screenings. The full programme is available in the Events section.

On Wednesday, 15 October, the Japanese artist Sachika Ito will be in the Language Lounge, University of Liverpool, 1–7 Abercromby Square. From 4 to 5 pm, Sachika — an internationally renowned Japanese soprano living in Italy — will discuss her studies, training and experience as a soprano with Italian as an additional language, in conversation with staff and students from the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film. Sponsored by the Dante Alighieri Society of Liverpool and Manchester Comites.

Then, from 6 to 8 pm, Sachika Ito will perform D’Ito at the Opera, accompanied on the guitar by Davide Sciacca. The duo presents a performance that combines music and theatre, thanks to the remarkable stage presence of soprano Sachika Ito, who is known for her interaction with audiences and for moving seamlessly between stage and auditorium. They will perform a repertoire ranging from 19th-century operatic and chamber music to contemporary works by Sicilian composers including Andrea Amici (whose music was performed in the presence of the British Royal Family in 2017), Joe Schittino, Francesco Pennisi, and others. The duo will also present recently rediscovered arrangements of Vincenzo Bellini arias, translated into English and published in the United States during the second half of the 19th century. Between the two activities, a light refreshment will be offered to our guests.