Palazzo Guaccero
Cent. 18th
Palazzo Guaccero is a symbol of an important family who made a mark on local history. The building dates back to the 19th century, a time when the Guaccero family was a pillar of the economic and cultural life of the town. This elegant and fascinating palazzo is not just a monument to the past, it was also the birthplace of one of the most innovative Italian composers of the 20th century: Domenico Guaccero. Domenico was born in 1927 and grew up in an environment that stimulated his artistic sensitivity. Here, in this historical building, the seed of his innovative musical vision was sown. Although destiny would take him far from his hometown, he never broke the ties that bound him to his family and his town. Guaccero was a pioneer of electronic music in Italy and was one of the first musicians to experiment with blending traditional and modern music, giving life to a new sound.
His open-minded approach to composition made him an important figure in the music world. He studied with Goffredo Petrassi, one of the most important Italian composers of the 20th century and they explored new music techniques like serialism and electronic music. Guaccero was not only a composer, he was also a teacher and a guide for many young musicians. During his career he founded, along with other musicians, the “Electronic Centre of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome” and “The Centre for Experimental Music” in 1972, places where pioneers of electronic music and experimental techniques could work together. His work also embraced avant-garde theatre and improvisation, creating a contamination between musical genres which was revolutionary. Palazzo Guaccero continues to preserve the memory of a man who challenged convention and made an important mark on the 20th century musical scene. Domenico Guaccero died in Rome on 24th April 1984 after a long illness.