A new approach to the ancient and modern classical guitar and to the folk tradition with the Battente guitar. A return to the origins in which high culture and popular blend together; a path during which the specific techniques for battente guitar will be exposed, the particular kind of notation and the typical repertoire, all elements that are at the base of the modern style. With the definition “chitarra battente” we do not want to refer only to the instrument itself, but also and above all to a new technical and stylistic approach to the guitar in general. Infact, a section dedicated to the application of battente guitar techniques to other types of guitars is provided. The course is therefore also aimed at those who intend to approach the ancient instrument to expand their technique and provide themselves with a background that will enrich their knowledge of the modern instrument. The masterclass is open to beginners and advanced student includes a practical part of lectures calibrated on the level of the student and a more theoretical collective part in order to give completeness to the stylistic-interpretative approach on ancient and traditional guitars.

The battente guitar was born and has spread in Italy between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Its name derives from the technique with which it is played. At that time the stringed instruments could be picked or a “botte”, the “botta” was what we usually call when we play with plectrum The battente guitar belongs to the second category, it was played only in “botte”, the left hand was limited to the positions of the chords and consequently produced a “battente” sound. The first category included instruments such as the lute, the theorbo, the baroque guitar (very similar to the battente) and so on. considered more difficult, whose literature was richer and whose technique was more complex. The battente guitar was therefore considered an “easy” instrument, that is for everyone, musicians and not. We could say that it played the same role that the acoustic guitar plays today (even if its characteristics are very different): it was outside the so-called “institutional” circuits, of the academies, of the conservatories, and was used above all in the songs as an accompaniment to singing.This allowed the battente guitar to spread rapidly in the “popular” universe, to stay alive and through this to reach us (while a different fate is touched by the tools mentioned above). Today the technique of the battente guitar has evolved to the point where it can be considered a solo instrument with extraordinary expressive possibilities and strong charismatic power.There is an interest that this instrument generates especially among young people and its study can generate new and interesting perspectives both in terms of musical composition and instrumental technique.

Giovanni Seneca was born in Naples in 1967. He graduated in 1988 in conservatory Rossini in Pesaro with full marks cum laude. In 1989 he moved to Paris, where he specialized in classical guitar, musical analysis and orchestration at “Ecole Normale de Musique” and at the conservatory “Ravel”. During his stay in Paris he began composing and he increased his concert activity, always characterised by the desire to deal with the different languages of music. Back to Italy he dedicated himself mainly to composition, writing and interpreting music for chamber groups and orchestras, but also for television, cinema, theatre and commercials. He has performed in the most important Italian cities, but also in Paris, Berlin, Cannes, New York, Philadelphia, Tel Aviv, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Cairo, Istanbul, Alexandria, Hammamet, Athens, Zagreb, Podgorica, Algiers, Casablanca. In April 2009 he toured New Zealand with 12 concerts. He performed as soloist for the following orchestras: RAI Orchestra Sinfonica of Rome, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoreux of Paris, Orchestre Symphonique Français of Paris, Orchestre Philarmonique of Cannes in the French Riviera, Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana of Ancona.The great italian composer Ennio Morricone wrote and dedicated to Giovanni Seneca a concerto for guitar and orchestra whose world premier was performed in Paris and recorded on CD together with Orchestra Nazionale Accademia di Santa Cecilia of Rome. His compositions include also music for theatre performances with italian well known actors such as Moni Ovadia, David Riondino, Dario Vergassola. Guitar teacher in Gioacchino Rossini conservatory in Pesaro he is also the artistic director of the Adriatico Mediterraneaneo project (www.adriaticomediterraneo.eu) that organise events in Italy and in the mediterranean area.