When: Thursday, June 15, 2017 From 6:00 pm To 7:30 pm - Where: Hillyer Art Space, 9 Hillyer Court Northwest, Washington, DC 20008

The songs of the Cantautori (singers-songwriters) have accompanied Italy's changes and transformations since the 1960s, often shaping people's perception of cultural renovations and historical events. Many of these artists have a distinctly literary quality to their writing. Professor Francesco Ciabattoni (Georgetown University), author of La citazione è sintomo d'amore (Rome: Carocci, 2016) will present some of the greatest songs by Roberto Vecchioni, Francesco Guccini, Francesco De Gregori, Fabrizio De André and Claudio Baglioni, also performing musical samples.

Provided every song with a translation and commentary, Professor Ciabattoni' will reveal the historical significance and literary references of this repertory, showing how music and literature have underscored the lives of two generations of Italians.