IMAGINARY TRAVEL (A Tribute to Marco Polo)

A multimedia concert by Andrea Centazzo on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death

The Italian Cultural Institute of Sydney, in collaboration with Co.As.It. - Sydney is pleased to present the internationally renowned percussionist Andrea Centazzo for the Australian premiere of his project IMAGINARY TRAVEL, inspired by the life and works of Marco Polo.

Born in Venice around 1254, Marco Polo was a Venetian explorer and merchant whose travels are chronicled in his famous book, Il Milione or I viaggi di Marco Polo. At the age of 17, he embarked on an epic journey with his father and uncle, traveling along the Silk Road to the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler of China. Over the next 24 years, Marco Polo traversed vast expanses of Asia, encountering diverse cultures, landscapes, and civilizations. His accounts provided Europe with detailed descriptions of the East, including China, Persia, India, and other regions, offering insights into their customs, riches, and wonders. Upon returning to Venice in 1295, Marco Polo became a prominent figure in the city's politics and even found himself in conflict with Genoa during a naval battle. He was eventually captured and imprisoned during the Venetian-Genoan War, when he narrated his incredible experiences to a fellow prisoner, Rustichello da Pisa. I viaggi di Marco Polo became one of the most influential travel narratives of the Middle Ages. His work not only provided Europeans with a glimpse into the mysteries of the East but also influenced later explorers and navigators, including Cristoforo Colombo. Marco Polo's legacy endures as a symbol of curiosity, courage, and the spirit of exploration that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. In this musical odyssey, Andrea Centazzo brings Marco Polo's narrative to life through pulsating rhythms and captivating visuals.

The title Imaginary Travel refers to the attempt to recreate the stages of the long journey of the Venetian merchant-explorer. At the heart of this performance lies the fusion of live percussion and electronic sounds, complemented by original visuals crafted by Centazzo himself. It's more than a concert; it's a living tapestry that unravels the remarkable journey of Marco Polo.

A master of percussion and electronic composition and a skilled video maker, Centazzo brings decades of innovation to the stage. His dedication to pushing artistic boundaries is reflected in Imaginary Travel. As the performance begins, envision a sonic journey. The percussion becomes a dynamic storyteller, echoing the historical pulse of Marco Polo's adventures. The beats transport the audience across time and space, creating an immersive atmosphere following the stages of Marco Polo journey. The electronic elements seamlessly intertwine with the live percussion, offering a contemporary twist to the historical narrative. It's a sonic alchemy that captivates, surprises, and connects with the audience on a profound level.

Behind Centazzo, a visual narrative unfolds. Original footage, shot by the artist himself, along with clips from films inspired by Marco Polo captures the essence of Marco Polo's travels. The visuals are not just a backdrop; they are storytellers, enriching the connection between the audience and the performance. The music and images follow the Silk Road reaching the Middle Eastern Acri, the magic Samarkand, the court of Kublai Khan and then Sumatra, India, Istanbul and finally Venice. Imaginary Travel means embracing a celebration of exploration, a musical and visual homage to one of history's greatest adventurers.

Andrea Centazzo (Udine, Italy), began his musical activity in the 1970s, playing as an avant-garde jazz percussionist with John Zorn, Steve Lacy and Don Cherry, and becoming a leading figure in the European avant-garde. After 1986 he dedicated himself to video production and the composition of plays, film soundtracks and orchestral compositions. Since 1992 he moved and worked in Los Angeles, and played among others with Albert Mangelsdorff, Alvin Curran, Anthony Coleman, Evan Parker, Fred Frith, Gianluigi Trovesi, Henry Kaiser, Sylvano Bussotti, Teo Jöergesmann, Tom Cora and Toshinori Kondo. In the course of his career he has published over sixty albums and created several multimedia projects that blend acoustic, electronic and video instruments, such as Mandala, Eternal Traveler, Einstein's Cosmic Messengers and R-Evolution.

Imaginary Travel will be held at the Auditorium of the Italian Forum, Leichhardt on Thursday 5 September at 7pm.

Tickets: $10 for IIC and CoAsIt members, $15 for non-members