Italian opera journey on guitar
Italian Opera Journey on Guitar takes the listener through the 19th century and highlights the rich tradition of classical and romantic guitar through some of the most famous and moving melodies of Italian opera.
Italian opera has inspired generations of guitarists, who have arranged and composed overtures, fantasies, variations, and potpourris based on the operas of great composers such as Rossini, Verdi, Bellini, Mascagni, and Puccini. The program also includes instrumental music in which operatic expression lives on through the guitar’s own intimate voice.
This operatic journey is guided by guitarist, composer, and pedagogue Francesco D’Angelo, born in Pisa in 1991. He teaches at the Oulu Conservatory and the Kuusamo Music Institute.
D’Angelo’s musical background combines classical guitar, jazz, contemporary music, and free improvisation. He began his musical studies at the age of ten through improvisation and later studied at the multimedia music high school in Lucca and at the P. Mascagni Conservatory in Livorno, from which he graduated with top honors in classical guitar.
After receiving a study scholarship, Francesco moved to Finland to study at Oulu University of Applied Sciences. In Finland, he has performed extensively in a wide range of ensembles in Italy, Finland, Spain, and England. His return to solo guitar has led to his first recording project, *Satumaani*.
PROGRAM
Luigi Legnani: Kapriisi, op. 20
Mauro Giuliani / Gioacchino Rossini: Rossiniana, op. 119
Johann Kaspar Mertz / Giuseppe Verdi: Oopperakatselmus La Traviata -oopperasta, op. 8
Giulio Regondi / Vincenzo Bellini:
Muunnelmia oopperasta I Capuleti e i Montecchi, op. 22
Francisco Tárrega / Pietro Mascagni:
Sisilialainen laulu “Oi, Lola” oopperasta Cavalleria rusticana
Armanno Morlacchi / Giacomo Puccini:
“Oi suloiset suudelmat, oi viipyvät hellyydenosoitukset” oopperasta Tosca
Francesco D’Angelo, guitar
Sat 14.3.2026 at 4 PM, Haukipudas Church
Sat 21.3.2026 at 3 PM, Ylikiiminki Church
Duration approx. 1 h (no intermission). Free admission.
In cooperation
The concert is part of the Oulu2026 cultural program and the cultural climate change.
The performances are produced in cooperation with Valve Urban Neighbourhood Culture, the Oulu Music Festival, the Kiiminki Parish, and the Haukipudas Parish.
The organizer reserves the right to make changes.
