Mapping the Este Court: Urban Soundscapes of a Ducal City (XVII cent.)

During the 17th century, the city of Modena became an important musical centre thanks to the Este family. The court attracted composers and musicians from different parts of Italy. In particular, during Francesco II d'Este's reign (1674-94) the musical production knew the highest and most intense moment. Magnificent performances with movable theatres and ephemeral machines were the means to enhance the House of Este and to celebrate political and social events that involved the whole city. Assuming that the landscape is the expression of the identity of a society, in its visual and sound form, the contribution aims to explore the complex relationships between music and landscape within a specific urban context in order to highlight its contribution to the territory construction, as well as social identity and institutional authorities. In particular, crossing ancient maps with musical and archival sources of the House of Este, we will analyse the historical soundscape of the Este Court and the city of Modena, considering the music not only as a merely artistic activity, but also as social, political and cultural activity. In this perspective, reconstructing and mapping the musical activity of the various institutions present in Modena can lead us to understand how music was a central part of the urban culture and how much it contributed to the construction of the cultural identity of the city itself. Through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and new technologies, it will be possible to create an interactive map that allows to reconstruct the landscape of the historical period in analysis and to provide new ideas for the enhancement of the cultural heritage and the city itself.