CHRISTMAS IN THE CAVES
“Winter Wonder”
From December 3 2016 to January 12, 2017
AThe names of the artists who will perform were announced today
GIANCARLO GIANNINI FRANCO BATTIATO DIRE STRAITS LEGACY CHRISTIAN DE SICA
Artistic direction of Christmas in the Caves by EUGENIO FINARDI
An exciting appointment at seventy meters depth nin the incomparable scenery of the CASTELLANA CAVES
The names of the artists who will perform during the fourth edition of “NATALE NELLE GROTTE” were announced today. one of the most evocative Christmas-related events ever organised inside the Caves, which will be held from December 3, 2016 to January 12, 2017 in the incredible setting of the Castellana Caves.
In THE GRAVE, the first of the caves that you encounter when immersing yourself in the complex of underground cavities, an ideal location for live performances with its acoustics that allow for very particular musical performances, Leading artists from the Italian and international scene will perform: GIANCARLO GIANNINI (December 11) with the recital that blends literature and music “THE KNOWN WORDS – travels and mirages”; FRANCO BATTIATO (December 15) in concert; DSL – DIRE STRAITS LEGACY, a musical project that sees the former members of the historic English band reunited on stage in concert (30 December), with the opening of Numa Palmer; CHRISTIAN DE SICA (January 7) with the recital “CHRISTIAN TELLS CHRISTIAN DE SICA”, where the artist will have the opportunity to dialogue directly with his spectators.
The artists' performances are part of a busy calendar of musical, theatrical and religious events. born from the synergy between the Società Grotte, the artistic direction of Pino Savino and the artistic direction of EUGENIO FINARDI, which will involve the Castellana Caves for over a month.
“Only artists of great depth can compete with La Grave – says Eugenio Finardi, artistic director of Christmas in the Caves – This extraordinary natural temple becomes the co-star of any show it hosts. For this year's program, I've decided to open the festival to the grand theater with two undisputed stars of the Italian and international stage, Giancarlo Giannini and Christian De Sica. For the musical component, I've invited Dire Straits Legacy, whose sound perfectly suits the natural resonance of the Grotto, and Franco Battiato, for the depth of his musical and lyrical content, which I'm sure will be underscored by the sacredness of this place.
“With real satisfaction I can state that the collaborations with intellectually honest people such as Maestro Finardi and the entire staff of Grotte di Castellana (Board of Directors, officials and collaborators) – declares Pino Savino, artistic director of Grotte di Castellana Srl – always yield excellent results. For this fourth edition of Christmas in the Caves, we managed to organize a high-profile event, both nationally and internationally, with the participation of DSL. Names like Giannini, De Sica, Battiato, and DSL themselves aim to achieve international media coverage, the primary goal of all the activities of the Grotte company.
The Castellana Caves, whose artistic director is Pino Savino, are a complex of underground karst cavities of considerable tourist interest, among the most beautiful and spectacular in Italy. They are located in the municipality of Castellana-Grotte, approximately 1,5 km from the town. They extend for 3348 meters and reach a maximum depth of 122 meters below the surface. The internal temperature hovers around 16,5°C. Located at the gateway to the Itria Valley, a few kilometers from charming villages such as Alberobello, Cisternino, and Polignano a Mare, the Castellana Caves open in the southeastern Murge—at 330 meters above sea level—on a limestone plateau formed during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately ninety to one hundred million years ago. The beauty of the Castellana Caves draws visitors from around the world, and since they opened to the public, more than 15 million people have explored their underground passages. The tour of the caves extends along a 3-kilometer trail: an extraordinary guided excursion, approximately 70 meters underground, in a breathtaking setting where caverns with fantastic names, canyons, deep chasms, fossils, stalactites, stalagmites, and concretions with incredible shapes and astonishing colors spark the imagination of children and adults alike. The Castellana Caves are, therefore, an unmissable opportunity to admire one of the most astonishing natural sites in wonderful Puglia.
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Milan, November 15 2016
Press Office: Words & Surroundings – Martina Roncoroni (martina@paroleedintorni.it – 02/20404727)
Press Office: Grotte di Castellana Srl – Serena Greco (press@grottedicastellana.it – 348 7649373) – Rossana Paolillo (press@grottedicastellana.it – 328 1787297)
