Suite of sonic miniatures
From Belle Époque Cabarets to Méliès’ Avant-Garde Visions
Three short films from the Ambrosio Society, musically regenerated with my brother Roberto
Sonic Miniatures: The Charm of "Short Genres" in Early Cinema
This project dedicated to "ultra-shorts" is both a philological and creative exploration of the so-called "minor genres" of silent film: the greetings and farewells.
These brief clips, screened in early Nickelodeons and theaters, served to welcome the audience at the opening or bid them adieu at the close of the program. The challenge lies in condensing a complete sonic architecture into less than two minutes, capturing the visual wonder and technical ingenuity of an era that was still inventing its own language.
Buonasera Signorina Bonelli (1906): Welcome to the Silent Temple
Directed by Giovanni Vitrotti, this 1906 film is an iconic example of the "Welcome" genre. Lydia De Robertis greets the audience with the ceremonial, stylized acting typical of the early 20th century, chalking the words "Buona" and "Sera" (Good Evening) on a slate.
The score for piano and accordion elegantly evokes early jazz styles, immersing the viewer in the atmosphere of tabarins and café-chantants. It is a tribute to a Turin bewitched by the Ville Lumière, where music transforms a brief fragment of "cinematic courtesy" into a temporal bridge.
Troppo bello! (1909): The Frenzy of "Cretinetti"
Directed by and starring André Deed (famous for his character Cretinetti or Foolshead), this short is a masterclass in surreal slapstick.
An "elegant gentleman," a victim of his own good looks, is chased by an unstoppable crowd of female admirers. The musical score adopts the classic "silent comedy" style but with contemporary energy.
It follows the film's sudden speed changes through Presto and Prestissimo tempos, ending with a striking musical onomatopoeia dedicated to the mechanical rhythm of a clock, sealing the rhythmic precision between image and sound.
Buonasera fiori (1906): The Magic of Stop-Motion
This short is a small masterpiece of avant-garde technique. Through the clever use of early stop-motion animation, flowers move across the screen as if alive, magically arranging themselves to form words of greeting.
It directly evokes the "cinema of wonders" of Georges Méliès. The score embraces this dreamlike, surreal dimension. The music moves away from slapstick frenzy to become suspended and enchanted, accompanying the viewer toward the final farewell and celebrating the craftsmanship of the Turinese pioneers.
Year 1914, Year 2014: the Suite at Belgrave Square
The international prestige of this project was confirmed by its participation in the "Year 1914, Year 2014" event at the Italian Cultural Institute in London.
In the heart of Belgrave Square, these shorts were presented to an audience from the BBC, the British Film Institute (BFI), and the Royal Academy of Arts. The sonic operation restored the ritual function of these films: Buonasera Signorina Bonelli and Buonasera fiori acted as the symbolic opening and closing of the gala.
At the center of the program, the frenzy of Troppo bello! was performed live as a duo, with my brother Roberto on accordion and myself at the piano.
