Il dilemma di Respighi. Musica sinfonica e scenari dell'ascolto all'Augusteo nel primo Novecento italiano

This essay explores a pivotal phase in the artistic development of Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936), focusing on the years leading up to the creation of his first symphonic poem, Fontane di Roma (1916). During this period, Respighi faced a key artistic dilemma: whether to remain faithful to the tradition of ‘absolute music’ or embrace the world of program music and the symphonic poem. The decision would prove consequential, paving the way for the widespread acclaim that followed his turn toward programmatic composition. Yet before fully committing to this path, Respighi experimented with less conventional forms, most notably in his ambitious Sinfonia drammatica (1913-14), a nearly hour-long work marked by formal heterogeneity and continuous thematic transformation. The essay argues that Respighi’s dilemma mirrored a broader historical condition that shaped the reception of early 20th-century Italian music, performance, and historiographical framing. After critically reassessing dominant historiographic approaches, the discussion turns to methodological issues in narrating Respighi’s output. Subsequent sections investigate the cultural and institutional context of the Teatro Augusteo in Rome – home to the Accademia di Santa Cecilia’s concerts – highlighting the concert programming, listening practices, and public expectations that formed the backdrop for the premieres of Sinfonia drammatica and Fontane di Roma. The final section reexamines Respighi’s creative turning point within this multifaceted landscape, revealing its broader cultural implications for how we interpret and tell the story of his music today.