S.It’s been seven months from the death of Franco Battiato, and his absence is still heavy.
To celebrate the singer-songwriter who managed to find a perfect balance between pop and committed music that made him immortal, tonight at 21.20 it will be broadcast on Rai 3 Dear Battiato, program created by the comedian and actor Pif, who was an avid fan of the maestro but above all a friend.
Hybrid between documentary and travelogue created, the evening mixes the footage of the tribute concert with the memories of friends to Franco who was held atArena of Verona last 21 September.
Dear Battiato: the concert-event
The protagonists of the Veronese concert are many artists of the Italian singing scene who got to know Battiato and collaborate with him.
And that to honor the singer’s memory they ventured into (difficult) undertaking to revive his extraordinary songs. From Morgan to Jovanotti with The era of the white boar, passing through Emma Marrone with The animal and Fiorella Mannoia with The season of love, up to Gianna Nannini e Cuccurucucu. Also present were Alice, Carmen Consoli, Max Gazzè, Gianni Morandi and Eugenio Finardi.
In the documentary film then, Pif talks with Battiato’s lifelong collaborators and friends, behind the scenes of the Arena is around Sicily. The collected anecdotes and testimonies form a sort of visual diary able to outline the profile of a fundamental author for Italian music.
The result is a nostalgic tribute, but never sad, with lyrical flashes and strong insights that leave a sense of vitality and joy to share.
Dear Battiato it’s an evening not only to not forget, but to continue to cultivate the pleasure of poetry, of Franco’s intelligence and irony. Just as he had accustomed us with his repertoire.
The disappearance of Battiato last May
Born in Sicily in 1945, the author of The master’s voice is always considered one of the most eclectic and multifaceted Italian artists. He ranged and in-depth different genres, from pop in the sixties to progressive rock, passing through pop music, ethnic and electronic music.
Without to forget the stage of the songwriting, of protest songs (although he has always been far from militant attitudes, he has never hidden his sympathies for the Left) and also of opera. In addition, his career also includes experiences of director and actor.
Franco Battiato and Alice in 1984.
Battiato passed away after a long illness in Milo, at the foot of Etna, where the singer-songwriter had lived for many years.
From the concert last September a double CD entitled Travel invitation, where all the exhibits are located.
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