Globetrotting artists
Beckham arriving in Milan, Kakà leaving or staying? Today, with jet planes and superfast trains, travelling for work is normal for a lot of people and not just footballers, but hundreds of years ago, artists were one of the very few categories of workers who did well out of a transfer. The Dukes of Milan poached architects from France in order to build the Cathedral. Leonardo da Vinci’s career took him from Florence, to Milan, and finally to France, after brief stays in many other cities. One of Milan’s most famous sons, Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio (born 1571, died 1610), spent most of his life fleeing from one place to another, Rome, Naples, Malta, Sicily and elsewhere, leaving a trail of wounded and dead after all sorts of brawls and arguments. In the 39 tumultuous years of his life, he also left some amazing masterpieces in all the places that he visited.
The show “Caravaggio hosting Caravaggio” at the Brera Gallery has been organised to celebrate the bicentenary of the gallery, and the name was chosen because paintings from other famous museums have been brought to the Pinacoteca di Brera to be hung alongside the gallery’s work Supper in Emmaus. The London National Gallery’s Supper – exactly the same subject – was painted in 1601, and it depicts two disciples who suddenly recognise Christ when He blesses the bread. Brera’s Supper was painted four years later, and Caravaggio chose to paint the scene a few moments later, after Jesus had broken the bread and is about to leave. Other famous works are the Concert from New York’s Metropolitan Museum, and the Boy with a basket of fruit, from Galleria Borghese in Rome. The show at Brera runs until 29 March.
A hundred years on from the foundation of the Brera Gallery in 1809, Milan saw the birth of an artistic movement obsessed with travel and speed: Futurism. February marks the start of celebrations for 100 years of Futurism, which will feature a show, “1909-2009 Speed + Art + Action” at Palazzo Reale (6 Feb-7 June), and a whole series of theatrical and performance events. On 5 February, there will be a performance in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, re-enacting Boccioni’s painting Riot in the Galleria, every hour from 14.00 to 18.00. On the other side of the square, in Piazzetta Reale, there will be projections, music, live painting and theatre on 5 February and for another ten days after that (6-15 Feb, 18.30-23.00). More info inside and at www.comune.milano.it/futurismi
In search of a contemporary artiste accustomed to travel in order to find her niche, we were privileged to be able to talk to Gisella Cozzo. She began singing at a young age, and won the Young Talent Show in Melbourne, which gave her the chance to go to London and then Milan where she began her recording career. She has worked with Anna Oxa, Celentano, Gianni Bella, Ambra, Jo Squillo, I Giallappas, Sabrina Salerno, Grignani, Paola Cortellesi, Gianluca Dorelli, Christian, and many others.
Her first album, Gisa, appeared in 1990, and this was followed by participation in Eurovision Song Festivals in Bulgaria and Romania, together with important artists including Dionne Warwick and Kylie Minogue. But it was the song Joy (“I feel good, I feel fine…), written by Gisella herself, used for a commercial for the ice-cream Coppa del Nonno, that brought her voice to millions of people and assured her status as a leading recording artist for advertising. We talked to her about her work and life.
Did you find it difficult to adjust to the cultural climate of Milan?
In actual fact it was very easy, because my family is entirely of Italian origin. My father is Sicilian, my mother Calabrian, I have one brother and eight sisters, and they are part of the large and thriving Italian community in Melbourne. A million Italians in a city of four million… in Australia there is a private Italian radio station, Rete Italia, as well as Rai broadcasts, and they are teaching even third-generation children Italian. So everyone in Australia loves Italy, the country is considered as a sort of paradise. I started meeting musos (Australian for “musicians” – ed.) in Melbourne, and I was a support act for Marchia Hines, Simon Gallagher, Toto Cutugno, Cristian, I Ricchi e Poveri, Fiordaliso, Pupo and I Pooh. So when I arrived in Milan I knew the language and I knew where to start work-wise.
And what about work in the recording business here, compared to other places?
There are differences in the work environment. In Milan you have to be talented for session work, it’s easier in London, or Australia. Here, if you’re a woman it takes longer. When I started I had to knock on every door in Milan, phoning all the studios, going round with the demo.
You recently worked with Jerry Calà and Umberto Smaila in the film Torno a Vivere da Solo. Was it difficult recording with these two actors?
No, not at all, they have a great deal of experience, and they were very open and willing to be supervised by a young professional singer. We formed a band, Miracle 3, specially for the video, coordinated by producer Silvio Amato, and I wrote the lyrics for the theme song Living Alone Again.
What about the future?
I’m making a CD at the moment, covers and original tracks, including I Feel Good, I Feel Fine as a bonus track. I’ve also produced two CDs for kids, “Kids Christmas Favourites” and “Traditional Nursery Rhymes” distributed by Duck Records. The idea is partly to promote the English language here.
And you’re happy in Milan?
Oh yes! My Italian heritage enabled me to understand how Italians tick, and experience of Italian and international culture has broadened my mind. I’m a Scorpio, a positive person, I accept downfalls and successes, and respect and thank all those who have helped me!
Henry Neuteboom