The exhibition “Sicily 1954: The Musical Journey of Alan Lomax and Diego Carpitella” is the second of five musical initiatives promoted by the Italian Cultural Institute of New York in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s “United in Sound: America at 250” festival.
This project highlights the pioneering work of Alan Lomax, the American ethnomusicologist who, together with Italian scholar Diego Carpitella, undertook a groundbreaking field recording campaign in Sicily in 1954. Their work preserved an extraordinary heritage of Italian folk music, bringing voices from rural communities into the global conversation on culture and identity.
The event features the exhibition Sicilia 1954. Il viaggio musicale di Alan Lomax e Diego Carpitella, curated by Sergio Bonanzinga (University of Palermo), which presents photographs, field notes, and recordings from this historic research, alongside an opening lecture and audiovisual presentation.
Why it belongs to United in Sound
Alan Lomax’s work represents a bridge between Italy and the United States: his ethnomusicological mission documented Italian folk traditions while simultaneously contributing to the American understanding of cultural diversity.
This dialogue between Italy and America reflects the very essence of United in Sound: America at 250: music as a record of migration, memory, and shared identity. The Lomax–Carpitella archive is not only an Italian treasure but also a part of American cultural history, thanks to Lomax’s lifelong commitment to cultural equity and preservation.
Event Program
- Introduction – with Anna Lomax Wood (The Association for Cultural Equity), Sergio Bonanzinga (University of Palermo), Jo Ann Cavallo (Columbia University), Joseph Sciorra (John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College, CUNY)
- Audiovisual presentation – archival recordings and footage from Lomax & Carpitella’s 1954 fieldwork
- Opening of the exhibition – Sicilia 1954. Il viaggio musicale di Alan Lomax e Diego Carpitella
For the first time ever, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York is partnering with Carnegie Hall for the 2025–2026 season festival, United in Sound: America at 250. This ambitious, multifaceted celebration reflects on the United States 250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Showcasing the extraordinary musical riches that have flourished across the country, the festival offers a powerful portrait of America’s vibrant cultural landscape. Through its participation, the Italian Cultural Institute will highlight the deep and enduring friendship between Italy and the United States, celebrating the artistic dialogue that continues to unite the two nations.
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