On November 19, 2024, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York hosted “Voices of Heritage: From Beneventan Manuscripts to Modern Music,” an event that celebrated the extraordinary project of the Benevento Conservatory “Nicola Sala,” which crossed the Atlantic to share the ancient art of liturgical chant—a unique testimony to the musical and cultural heritage of the Sannio region.
The event was part of a broader internationalization project and a high-value cultural journey, in which the Benevento Conservatory proudly continues its commitment to promoting Italian musical heritage through initiatives of global scope, solidifying its role as a cultural ambassador on the world’s most prestigious stages. The discussion featuring Italian and international experts including Caterina Meglio, President of the Nicola Sala Conservatory of Benevento; Giuseppe Ilario, Director of the Benevento Conservatory, Pierpaolo Limone, Rector of the Pegaso Telematic University; and Debra Lacoste, Project Manager and Principal Researcher of the CANTUS project at the University of Waterloo, offered a fascinating journey linking the 7th- and 8th-century Latin monodic chants with modernity and digitalization, exploring the historical roots and transformations of music. The event was moderated by Professor Luisa Nardini from the University of Texas.
At the conclusion of the discussion, an engaging performance by La Schola Cantorum, conducted by Maestro Giovanna Riboli, celebrated the ancient Beneventan Chant, creating a unique auditory experience that allowed participants to immerse themselves in the allure of liturgical melodies that have spanned centuries, intertwining history, faith, and musical innovation.
The event served as a prelude to the performance on November 20 at the renowned Carnegie Hall, where the Schola Cantorum will transport the audience back in time, immersing them in the grandeur and solemnity of medieval liturgical chants. With passionate insight and meticulous attention to detail, Maestro Riboli transcribed and studied the chants directly from the neumatic notations found in 11th- and 12th-century manuscripts, including the iconic “Exultet roll” and other liturgical texts tied to masses and saintly offices. This in-depth exploration not only highlighted the academic and musical dedication of the Benevento Conservatory but also underscored its proud role as a cultural ambassador.
“Bringing Beneventan chant to Carnegie Hall is an act of rediscovery that celebrates our past, while simultaneously projecting it into the future, offering the world a unique and timeless experience. Music offers a universal language that transcends temporal and geographical barriers,” stated Caterina Meglio, President of the Benevento Conservatory.
“Voices of Heritage” was not merely a revival of the past; it demonstrated that cultural heritage can serve as a beacon of inspiration for the present, with the aim of promoting Italian musical heritage on a global scale. It reinforced the significance of Beneventan chant as a living testament to a tradition that has transcended centuries, bridging cultures and generations.
