Press Releases

The MUSIC4D Project Lands in South America

BUENOS AIRES – Today the Experience Auditorium of the UADE ART University hosted a lecture by Sicilian composer and researcher Giuseppe Vasapolli: “Tradition and Future: Artificial Intelligence and Sicilian Sound.” The event is part of the international mission of the European project MUSIC4D, which arrives in Buenos Aires with “Music from the Ports”, an initiative that connects the Mediterranean and South America in a unique musical narrative.

Palermo – 25.08.2025 – The lecture offers students of Audiovisual Design and Aesthetic Design for Fashion a journey through tradition and innovation. Vasapolli demonstrated how Sicilian folk instruments – from the friscalettu to tambourines – can become virtual instruments through recording, sampling, and programming techniques. Sound objects born in courtyards and popular festivities thus become living material for new compositions, capable of engaging with global languages and digital platforms.

This process of cultural cross-pollination finds in Argentina a profound dimension, where the expressive continuities of Mediterranean music have, through migration, reached distant peoples and places, shaping musical styles and cultures that—even in tango—reflect both nostalgia for one’s roots and a drive to build new opportunities for life.

The second part was dedicated to sonification: images, geometries, and videos will find a voice, transforming into soundscapes and generative music. An encounter at the crossroads of design, music, and technology, opening creative scenarios for students in immersive art and new forms of audiovisual communication.

“With MUSIC4D we chose Buenos Aires to reaffirm our vision,” says Fabio Crescente, artistic coordinator, “music as a living and global language, capable of uniting different traditions and cultures in a shared vibration, projected into digital space.”

“Vasapolli’s lecture,” adds Michelangelo Galeati, head of international relations, “expresses the experimental dimension of MUSIC4D: transforming research into creative innovation, overcoming boundaries and disciplines, and making technology a tool at the service of culture.”

“My goal,” states Giuseppe Vasapolli, “is to show that Sicilian folk sound is not only memory but living matter. Through artificial intelligence, it can generate new expressive forms, opening unprecedented possibilities for audiovisual design and the music of the future.”

With “Music from the Ports” and this lecture, MUSIC4D confirms itself as an international laboratory of cultural diplomacy: a project that weaves together sounds, images, and immersive technologies to transform Mediterranean heritage into an authentic, shared, and universal experience.

Furioso – Operatic Scenes: With Music4D, Ariosto Steps into the Future

Robots, Music, and Augmented Reality Rewrite Orlando for the Contemporary Stage

Palermo, May 23, 2025 – A date that marks a turning point in the relationship between music, technology, and artistic education. On Sunday, May 25, the Real Teatro Santa Cecilia in Palermo will host the premiere of Furioso – Operatic Scenes, the first experimental event within the framework of the MUSIC4D project. The initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Conservatories of Sicily and Sardinia, the University of Palermo (Department of Engineering), and the University of Calabria.This one-of-a-kind performative opera blends the expressive power of the operatic language with the immersive interaction made possible by artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics.

Loosely inspired by Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem, Furioso – Operatic Scenes redefines the boundaries of musical theatre through an innovative dramaturgy: ten scenes, two physical humanoid robots integrated into the stage action, and the use of the metaverse for real-time visualization and interaction with dynamic digital content. Alongside the classic characters—Orlando, Angelica, Ruggero, Sacripante, Agramante—appear two Pepper robots, the socially intelligent humanoids capable of recognizing emotions and human faces. One of them plays Astolfo, the visionary knight and symbolic guide, who leads the heroes out of the labyrinth created by the sorcerer Atlante, on an allegorical journey between reality and simulation.

A Collective Work for a Possible Future

The event represents both a challenge and a statement of intent: on one side, the voices of soloists and the vibrant sound of the orchestra formed by the conservatories of Sicily and Sardinia; on the other, the exploration of technological frontiers—a meeting point between emotion, imagination, and binary code. The performance is conducted by Adriana Hernández Flores, and the inter-institutional production is part of MUSIC4D, a project funded by Italy’s PNRR and dedicated to enhancing Italian-Mediterranean musical heritage through innovative models of teaching, production, and artistic experience.

“With the May 25 event, we are exploring new artistic frontiers through robotics, immersive reality, and the metaverse”, says Fabio Crescente, production manager and project coordinator in Palermo.
It’s a key milestone in our journey: proving that art, emotion, and innovation can coexist and that technology can bring us closer, not further, to the stage and to human experience”.

Training the Musicians of Tomorrow with the Tools of Today

The introduction of digital and robotic languages into higher artistic education is not a passing experimental trend—it is an urgent necessity. In a connected, ever-evolving world, the artist must be able to navigate complexity, engage with new media environments, and translate the transformations of their time into expressive forms. In this sense, Furioso – Operatic Scenes also serves as a laboratory, a space for aesthetic and pedagogical research, where interaction with the audience and the collection of emotional and qualitative data become tools for developing new educational models.

“MUSIC4D represents an educational model that looks toward the future,
emphasizes Mauro Visconti, Director of the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo.
The integration of artificial intelligence, immersive environments, and live performance is not an end in itself, but a key to expanding the musical language and training artists capable of navigating the present. Projects like this pave the way for a form of teaching that is also research, for an art that is also thought”.

Technology as the Voice of the Contemporary

This event is not simply a performance—it is a shared experience. With the support of a team of psychologists from the Department of Psychological, Pedagogical, Physical Education and Training Sciences (DSPPEFF), the audience will be actively involved in an experience that challenges passive consumption and invites sensory and intellectual participation. Through headsets, avatars, and interfaces, the digital system becomes an intelligent interlocutor, capable of adapting to the audience’s perceptions and offering a personalized, fluid experience.This marks a step forward for the AFAM system and for Italian musical culture, which—through MUSIC4D—demonstrates its ability to embrace innovation without betraying tradition, opening up new spaces for creation, learning, and dialogue between the arts, local communities, and technologies.

Open Doors: The Palermo Conservatory Between Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Educational Needs

Palermo, April 18, 2025 – The Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo is looking to the future with a teaching approach that is increasingly intertwined with technological innovation and artificial intelligence. On Wednesday, April 16, the historic institution opened its doors to the public for a day dedicated to the new frontiers of music, explored through performances, in-depth discussions, and a seminar that, for the first time, brought together the directors of all the conservatories in Sicily.

The notes of the mandolin and guitar ensemble echoed through the halls of Via Squarcialupo, setting the tone for the day’s events, which began with an introduction by Maestro Mauro Visconti, Director of the Palermo Conservatory. This was followed by contributions from Professor Andrea Pace, Vice Rector for Research, Technology Transfer, and Relations with the Administration at the University of Palermo; Professor Maria Rosa De Luca, Rector’s Delegate for Relations with the Territory and Cultural Institutions at the University of Catania; Dr. Viviana Assenza, Head of the Music Division – Regional School Office; and Dr. Tina Garofalo, Head of School Network Relations – Provincial School Office of Palermo. Together, they engaged in an active dialogue among professionals, faculty, students, and prospective learners about the opportunities of music education integrated with technology, promoting effective governance in the AFAM sector – Higher Artistic, Musical and Choreutic Education – and at the heart of the PNRR MUSIC 4D project.

“The Palermo Conservatory is coordinating a major PNRR project focused on internationalization and artificial intelligence”, emphasized Conservatory Director Mauro Visconti. “This initiative involves AFAM institutions from Sicily and Sardinia, as well as the University of Calabria and the University of Palermo. It is a project with deep roots that, after several years, is finally taking shape. We are proud to carry this path forward—one that I envisioned from the start of my tenure—and today, with pride and, above all, with the collaboration of our faculty and students, we pursue it with renewed enthusiasm”.

In the Sollima Hall, the seminar “Innovation and Models of Collaboration in the AFAM System: New Perspectives for Integrated Educational Offerings” brought together many voices around a single goal: to illustrate to visitors, teachers, and students from music-oriented high schools and secondary schools the fusion of teaching and AI—of opportunity and experimentation, creativity and performance—within the entire national system. This approach is more necessary than ever, in close dialogue with digital technologies and cross-disciplinary professional skills, aligning with the needs of the job market and the objectives outlined by the MUSIC4D project. As explained by Fabio Crescente, professor at the Palermo Conservatory and local coordinator for the project, “MUSIC4D explores the interaction between tradition—understood as the foundation of musical education and today’s technological innovation, through the use of software, machines, and artificial intelligence itself”.Giuseppe Vasapolli, professor of Orchestration and Jazz Ensemble Conducting at the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo and a member of the MUSIC4D scientific committee, announced during the opening day of Open Doors that the first milestone of the project will be the creation of “a micro-opera based on Orlando Furioso, which will include significant use of the metaverse and stage robots portraying characters from the drama”.

The April 16 event reached its core with a presentation of the full spectrum of music studies offered at the Conservatory, from preparatory training to advanced specialization, and up to master’s and doctoral programs—delivered by Maestro Mauro Visconti and Professor Rosa Alba Gambino, lecturer in Pedagogy and member of the planning committee, in the presence of several Directors and Presidents from Sicilian conservatories. This was followed by the establishment of a technical roundtable, which fostered dialogue among disciplines united by a shared forward-looking perspective. Among the participants, under the moderation of Professor M. Roberto Cuccia (Coordinator of Cultural Programming at the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo), were engaged in a dialogue the Dr. Vincenzo Cusumano, Director General of the Department of Education for the Sicilian Region, Dr. Fiorella Palumbo, Director of the Provincial School Office of Palermo, Maestro Giuseppe Vasapolli, Professor of Orchestration and Jazz Ensemble Conducting at the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo (AI Lab – MUSIC4D Project), and Dr. Raimondo Cipolla, Administrative Director of the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo.

At 12:00 PM, in the presence of officials and senior representatives from the Regional Department of Education and Vocational Training, a discussion was held on educational policies and opportunities for the music sector in Sicily—ranging from composition and production to the enjoyment of artistic experiences. This dialogue laid the foundation for the creation of a technical working group for the AFAM sector and the establishment of a Regional Steering Committee, both aimed at improving coordination among conservatories across the island. The initiative is also expected to enhance access to regional, national, and European funding to support joint and innovative projects.

“This is an important opportunity to work on shared initiatives such as doctoral programs, which—within an international framework—can serve as a powerful driver for launching research that, thanks to the PNRR, already has significant global scope on paper”, explained Professor Maria Rosa De Luca.The Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo is bridging the gap with a world in constant experimentation, extending its vision beyond the boundaries of digital learning while promoting a culture of music and high-quality education. In the same spirit, the Open Doors initiative held on April 16 will be followed by additional events—including masterclasses, concerts, and new demonstrations—continuing through June 21, in conjunction with the 31st edition of the Festa della Musica.

Open Doors at the Palermo Conservatory: A Technical Roundtable on the Future of Music in Sicily

Palermo, April 15, 2025 – The Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo is opening up to new horizons and the emerging frontiers of music, with a teaching approach increasingly in tune with technological innovation and artificial intelligence. On Wednesday, April 16, the historic institution will welcome the public for a full day dedicated to enhancing the value of musical heritage within a renewed educational and creative dimension—explored through live performances, in-depth discussions, and a seminar that, for the first time, will bring together all the directors of Sicily’s conservatories around the same table.

Starting at 9:30 AM, an open and active dialogue will bring together professionals, faculty members, students, and aspiring musicians to explore the opportunities offered by music education integrated with technology, promoting effective governance within the AFAM sector – Higher Artistic, Musical and Choreutic Education, which lies at the heart of the PNRR MUSIC4D project. The event will begin with a performance by the Orchestra of the Palermo Conservatory, filling the halls of Via Squarcialupo with music and setting the tone for the day. The official proceedings will be opened by Hon. Mimmo Turano, Regional Councillor for Education and Vocational Training; joining him will be Dr. Giovanni Angileri, President of the A. Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo; Maestro Mauro Visconti, Director of the Palermo Conservatory; Professor Andrea Pace, Vice Rector for Research, Technology Transfer, and Institutional Relations at the University of Palermo; Professor Maria Rosa De Luca, Rector’s Delegate for Territorial and Cultural Relations at the University of Catania; and Dr. Fiorella Palumbo, Director of the Provincial School Office of Palermo.

“We are opening the doors to creativity and the digital revolution, with the awareness that the future is an opportunity we offer to our present, explains Maestro Mauro Visconti, Director of the Palermo Conservatory. Artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming the world of music—how it is created, produced, and experienced. This evolution opens up new possibilities that we must embrace, making musical experiences more accessible to a broad and diverse audience, building networks with other institutions on the island, and promoting a more engaging, multidisciplinary, and internationally-oriented form of education”.

The Sollima Hall will then host the seminar titled “Innovation and Models of Collaboration in the AFAM System: New Perspectives for an Integrated Educational Offering”. Many voices will come together with one common goal: to present to visitors, teachers, and students from music-focused high schools the integration of teaching and AI, the balance between opportunity and experimentation, creativity and performance—all within the framework of the national education system. This is an approach that is more necessary than ever today—one that engages directly with digital technologies and cross-disciplinary professional skills, aligning with market demands and the objectives of the MUSIC4D project.

Open Doors will reach its core with the presentation of the full pathway of music studies at the Conservatory—from preparatory training to specialized programs, all the way to master’s and doctoral degrees—presented by Maestro Mauro Visconti and Professor Rosa Alba Gambino, pedagogy lecturer and member of the academic planning committee, in the presence of the Directors of the Sicilian Conservatories. As part of this shared journey, a technical roundtable will follow, establishing a dialogue among different disciplines, all united by a future-oriented perspective. Among those participating, under the moderation of Professor M. Roberto Cuccia (Coordinator of Cultural Programming at the A. Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo), Dr. Vincenzo Cusumano, Director General of the Department of Education for the Sicilian Region; Dr. Francesco Pinelli, from the Regional Department of Education and Vocational Training – Department of Education, Universities, and the Right to Study, Service 3; Dr. Fiorella Palumbo, Director of the Provincial School Office of Palermo; Maestro Giuseppe Vasapolli, Professor of Orchestration and Jazz Ensemble Conducting at the A. Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo (AI Lab – MUSIC4D Project); and Dr. Raimondo Cipolla, Administrative Director of the A. Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo, will engage in a roundtable discussion.

The session will conclude with a new performance curated by the Conservatory’s faculty and students, featuring demonstrations on the use of artificial intelligence and augmented reality, offering a uniquely immersive journey through soundscapes and multifaceted visual experiences.

At 12:00 PM, Regional Councillor for Education Hon. Mimmo Turano will speak again, leading a discussion on educational policies and opportunities for the music sector in Sicily—from composition to production, and the enjoyment of artistic experiences. This discussion will lay the foundation for the establishment of a technical working group for the AFAM sector and the creation of a Steering Committee on the Island, aimed at improving the coordination of conservatory activities across the region. These initiatives are also expected to enhance access to regional, national, and European funding to support joint and innovative projects.The Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo is closing the gap with a world in constant experimentation, broadening its vision beyond the boundaries of digital learning, while promoting a strong culture of music and high-quality education. In the same spirit, the Open Doors event on April 16 will be followed by a rich calendar of masterclasses, concerts, and new demonstrations, continuing through June 21, in celebration of the 31st edition of the Festa della Musica.

Artificial Intelligence and the New Frontiers of Music: The Palermo Conservatory at DIDACTA 2025 in Florence

Palermo, March 11, 2025 – From musical composition to production, from artistic experience to artificial intelligence: these are just some of the themes the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Music in Palermo will bring to the stage at Didacta Italia, the most important trade fair in Italy dedicated to education and innovation in the school sector, taking place in Florence from March 12 to 14 at the Fortezza da Basso.

On Wednesday, March 12, the Sicilian Region and the Palermo Conservatory will take part in presenting the session titled “Studying in a Higher Artistic and Musical Education Institution (AFAM): The Model and Experience of the A. Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo”, starting at 3:00 PM. This seminar aims to showcase the Conservatory’s educational offerings through a dynamic dialogue of voices and performing arts, with a particular focus on the role of digital technologies and cross-disciplinary professional skills—a distinctive element in shaping new approaches to the appreciation and dissemination of musical heritage, as envisioned in the European Music4D project.

“We live in an increasingly digitalized world” said Mauro Visconti, Director of the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo. The educational activities of the Scarlatti Conservatory stand out for the expertise of our faculty and the emphasis we place on nurturing musical talent. Today more than ever, we are committed to offering a comprehensive and multidisciplinary education, focused on internationalization and the innovative use of technology—fully aligned with market demands and the objectives outlined in the PNRR MUSIC4D project. We are taking our first steps into a new multisensory dimension, and we are truly delighted to take part in the 11th edition of Didacta Italia—an invaluable opportunity for dialogue and in-depth exploration that we certainly couldn’t miss”.

The program will feature three thematic talks and four performances, in an event that aims to explore the new frontiers of digital learning, while promoting music culture and high-quality education in growing harmony with information and multimedia technologies. With the panel “Perspectives on the Future of Cultural Programming Through the Integration of Educational Offerings: Opportunities and Tools”, the Conservatory will delve into its current initiatives in close synergy with the Regional Department of Education and Vocational Training. This roundtable will center on strategies for cultural planning and management, from the regional to the European level—and, not least, on the use of artificial intelligence in education, particularly in developing the new skills and professional profiles increasingly demanded by the market.

An approach that has now become emblematic—gradually revolutionizing the world of music—is at the core of “Music, Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Digital Revolution: The Future of Performing Arts in the AFAM System – MUSIC4D”, the European initiative exploring the role of artificial intelligence in musical creation and production, through a meaningful fusion of art and technological sciences. This is a cross-border project that not only involves the prestigious Conservatory of Palermo, but also the conservatories of Sicily (Ribera, Catania, Caltanissetta, Messina, Trapani), Sardinia (Cagliari and Sassari), and the University of Palermo. Dr. Michele Mazzola, Director of the General Directorate for Internationalization and Communication at the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), Dr. Francesco Pinelli from the Regional Department of Education and Vocational Training, Dr. Fiorella Palumbo, Director of the Provincial School Office of Palermo, Maestro Giuseppe Vasapolli, professor and contributor to the MUSIC4D project, and Dr. Roberto Cuccia from the Cultural Programming Coordination team of the Palermo Conservatory, will take part in the discussion.

Looking to the future while investing in the present, the Conservatory is exploring a new multisensory dimension through robotics, immersive reality, virtual reality, and the metaverse. Moderated by Dr. Roberto Cuccia, several sessions will see faculty members, experts, and students of the Institute engage in discussions on technological research applied to music, through a series of technical panels, educational workshops, and an interactive lab.The opening of the session titled “The AFAM Educational System in the Sicilian Region and Its Integration with the National Framework” will be entrusted to Hon. Mimmo Turano, Regional Councillor for Education and Vocational Training, Among those taking part in the session will be: Dr. Vincenzo Cusimano, Director General of the Department of Education for the Sicilian Region; Dr. Giuseppe Pierro, Director General for Communication and Institutional Relations at the Ministry of Education (MIM); Maestro Giuseppe La Rosa, Deputy Director of the Conservatory; Professor Luisa Amenta, Delegate of the Rector of the University of Palermo; and Professor Maria Rosa De Luca, Delegate of the Rector of the University of Catania. The first section will conclude with performances introduced by Maestro Andrea Muratore, featuring Time & Money by Pierre Jodlowski, percussion by Simone Domini, and live electronics by Vincenzo Pitingaro.

“The Pathway of Music Studies at the Conservatory” is the title of the second session, attended by Deputy Director Maestro Giuseppe La Rosa, Professor Rosa Alba Gambino (Delegate of the Conservatory Director), and faculty members Professor Fulvia Ricevuto, Master’s Program Coordinator, and Professor Carlo Fiore, Doctoral Program Coordinator. The session will delve into key topics such as the various levels of music education—preparatory, specialized, and postgraduate—and their socio-cultural impact, particularly in relation to the local territory. As in the previous sessions, a live performance will be featured—this time with works by Alvin Lucier, interpreted by Giulia Lo Giudice on glockenspiel (orchestral percussion).

The notes of Glamour by percussionist Casey Cangelosi, the multiset performance by Davide Amedeo Traina, March Cadenza by Gert Mortensen, and a snare drum solo by Vittoria Di Grazia will take center stage in another special live music performance—an encounter of virtuosity and hypnotic soundscapes. As the atmosphere becomes more intimate, the day of March 12 will come to a close in the spirit of simplicity, with a hands-on workshop inspired by Living Room Music by John Cage, performed by the percussionists of the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo.The year 2025 promises to be rich with events for the historic Conservatory, highlighting its commitment to a renewed and immersive educational offering. Among these milestones, the 11th edition of Didacta marks an important step forward in the Conservatory’s journey of cultural and artistic growth, while also serving as a preview for the eagerly awaited OPEN DAYS on April 6 and 16, dedicated to young talents and all music enthusiasts.

MUSIC4D Takes Centre Stage in Hong Kong

Artificial Intelligence, Music, and International Cooperation: Southern Italy’s AFAM System Reaches East Asia

From June 23 to 27, 2025, a delegation from the “Alessandro Scarlatti” Conservatory of Palermo will take part in the 34th SIBMAS Conference in Hong Kong, Asia’s most prestigious performing arts forum. Professors Raffaele Longo and Michelangelo Galeati, Scientific Coordinator Professor Fabio Crescente, and Administrative Director Dr Raimondo Cipolla will present MUSIC4D—Italy’s top-ranking AFAM project funded under the PNRR programme—to over 200 international institutions. With nearly €6 million in funding, MUSIC4D brings together all the Conservatories of Sicily—Palermo, Trapani, Caltanissetta, Ribera, Catania, Messina—and of Sardinia—Cagliari and Sassari—alongside the University of Palermo (UNIPA) and the University of Calabria (UNICAL). The project explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and musical performance, aiming to create new educational, creative, and technological ecosystems rooted in Southern Italy.

A highlight of the conference will be a live demonstration by the NAO humanoid robot, engaging in real-time musical improvisation with a jazz quartet from the Palermo Conservatory. The performance will showcase the expressive potential of human–machine interaction within live artistic contexts. The mission includes strategic meetings at the Italian Cultural Institute and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed to initiate international cooperation.

Fabio Crescente, Scientific Coordinator of MUSIC4D, stated: “We are here in Hong Kong to build a cultural bridge between the Mediterranean and Asia, between musical tradition and emerging languages. MUSIC4D connects arts, science, and territory, giving voice to young talents and promoting a digital, open, and global model of education. Our aim is to activate ecosystems where creativity and innovation merge, positioning Southern Italy as a living, contemporary laboratory.”

Michelangelo Galeati, international advisor, added: “MUSIC4D chooses to speak to the world not only through technological research, but through the emotional power that only music can convey. This mission is a powerful act of cultural diplomacy: we want to assert the value of our artistic and educational system in global arenas, forming lasting partnerships with those who share our vision of the future.”This mission marks a strategic step in the internationalization of Southern Italy’s AFAM system and reaffirms MUSIC4D’s role as a leading cultural, technological, and educational platform capable of shaping new artistic paradigms and global alliances.