The Circolo Mandolinistico Risveglio is heir of a great tradition of mandolin in Genoa and Liguria (Italy). Since October 1st 1923 it has been keeping alive the musical culture related to string instruments, especially mandolin.
Between the late 1800 and the early 1900 the Liguria was strongly bound to mandolin culture, as is testified by the presence of several events, such as the first national mandolin contest. Those days many mandolin orchestras were born in Liguria, among them the first Genoese association, the Circolo Mandolinistico Orfeo.
It is important to point out the strong bond, witnessed by concerts performed together, between the Risveglio and the great mandolin player Nino Catania. This artist rose the instrument to a level never known before, with executions of pieces composed for mandolin by the great classic authors, such as Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz, Mozart, Vivaldi, Hummel.
On the 1983, 60th year of the foundation, the Risveglio has organized an international festival for mandolin orchestras and a national meeting of plectrum groups, inviting in Genoa the most representative orchestras in the national and international context. As a result, in 1985 the Risveglio orchestra was invited to play Vienna (Austria) in the great hall of the National Music Academy.
The present activity of Risveglio is focused both on teaching and recovering and performing its repertoire, but also on the safeguard of a considerable musical heritage, by the upkeeping of a very abundant musical archive.
