Salvatore Sciarrino

The Profile

Salvatore Sciarrino (born 1947, Palermo) is an Italian composer known for delicate, whispering textures, extended techniques, and an exploration of silence across operatic and instrumental works since the late 1960s.

Reviews describe Sciarrino as an internationally known, frequently performed Italian composer whose music often emerges from silence in fragile, filigree textures. Lohengrin (1983) is an "invisible action" with a female reciting voice portraying both Lohengrin and Elsa, a small male chorus, and chamber ensemble. Studi per l’intonazione del mare uses large forces—hundreds of flutes and saxophones with percussion—reduced to whispers and timbral carpets. The Cantare con silenzio release includes the title work (6 voices, flute, percussion, electronics), Berceuse, and Libro notturno delle voci, recorded live in Tokyo and Rome under Marco Angius with Mario Caroli on flute. Distinctive traits cited include harmonic sounds, trills, tremolos, and whisper-like effects.

Three DeBaser reviews portray Sciarrino as a leading Italian composer of fragile, whispering sound that strains out of silence. Studi per l’intonazione del mare inspires awe with vast forces reduced to breath-like textures. Lohengrin offers rarefied musical theater with a single female reciter and sparse chorus, dense in references yet elusive. Cantare con silenzio documents live performances with Marco Angius and Mario Caroli. Expect difficulty, delicacy, and intent listening.