Il Museo, dedicated to the famous poet, playwright, and librettist from Arquata, is located in the premises on Via Sforza Caolzio just a few steps from Illica’s birthplace. It preserves the famous librettos of the poet, regarding melodrama, dramaturgy, and theater works. Besides the literary production, the museum collects autograph letters, photographic materials, theatrical costumes, sketches, posters. The Museum has been enriched with numerous letters and correspondence materials with various figures of the time, postcards, and a “supposed poem” by Carducci concerning the square of Castell’Arquato. The museum was established in 1964 following the purchase, by the Municipal Administration, of a significant number of opera librettos by Luigi Illica (1857-1919). Initially set up in the Duke’s tower, it was then moved, in 1984, to the current location of the Palazzo Pretorio. The collection reconstructs the figure of the famous librettist, who wrote for Giordano, Mascagni, Puccini. Starting the very happy collaboration with Giuseppe Giacosa, he composed the librettos for Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly for Puccini; Iris, Le maschere, and Isabeau for Mascagni; Andrea Chènier for Giordano. Numerous photos portray Illica and the main performers of his works. Among the relics kept here, there stand out several costumes worn in the most famous representations of Illica’s works and donated by great lyrical artists who wore them. Among these, soprano Rosetta Pampanini and soprano Magda Olivero. Also noteworthy are the valuable portrait made by P. Guberti and the writer’s small typewriter. Many of the relics exhibited here are owned by the Passerini Landi Library of Piacenza.
Information about Museo Luigi Illica
Via Sforza Caolzio, 49,
29014 Castell’Arquato (Piacenza)
0523 803215
info@castellarquato.net
iatcastellarquato@gmail.com (manager) for hours, prices, openings, practical information
Source: MIBACT
