romancero gitano op. 152: A new critical edition
Project leaders: Stefano Colombo, Lorenzo Giustozzi
Romancero Gitano Op. 152 is a central composition in the catalogue of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895–1968). Written in 1951, it is a seven-movement suite for mixed choir (with some solo parts) and classical guitar, featuring lyrics by Federico García Lorca, only partially drawn from the eponymous collection. Although the composer initially conceived the work for a vocal quartet or octet, Romancero Gitano is regarded as the first piece written specifically for this ensemble. It quickly gained popularity in the choral world, starting with its premiere by German guitarist Siegfried Behrend (1933–1990). ITER Research Ensemble’s interest in this composition is part of a broader collaboration with Nicolò Spera, a guitarist and professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The work undertaken on this piece has allowed the dual nature of the group to be fully realized.
From a musicological perspective, the study of the only printed edition—published in 1961 by Böte & Bock with Siegfried Behrend’s revision—prompted a philological effort aimed at producing a new critical edition. This work was based on the autograph materials (fair copy and correspondence between Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Behrend) housed at the Library of Congress. Stefano Colombo and Lorenzo Giustozzi led this aspect of the project, supported by Nicolò Spera and Giovanni Cestino in the adaptation of the guitar part, which was sometimes necessary to accommodate the text. This meticulous editorial work, which benefited from the support of the composer’s heir, Diana Castelnuovo-Tedesco, profoundly informs the interpretation of the piece, offering listeners a reading faithful to the nuances and richness of the original manuscript.
Musically, the collaboration between ITER and Nicolò Spera has led to the ensemble’s first recording project, set for release on September 20, 2024, by Dynamic. This album features “Romancero Gitano” alongside the world premiere recording of “Rivers” by Corrado Margutti (1974), also for choir and guitar, commissioned by Nicolò Spera with support from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The world premiere of the work based on this new edition took place on August 24, 2024, in Moron (Saint-Vincent, Italy). This piece will also accompany ITER on its first US tour (September 27 – October 4, 2024) at the University of Colorado, where both Romancero Gitano and Rivers works will be performed in concert on October 1.
