italian-studies: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies
Sexualities, Textualities, Art and Music in Early Modern Italy
University College Cork, Ireland
May 18-19, 2007
Thanks to the work of scholars of civil and canon law, we now have a fairly
nuanced understanding of the complexities of the legal codes governing
sexual behaviour in early modern Italy. This interdisciplinary conference
will explore the integration of sexualities with other aspects of early
modern life and the role of writing, art and music in fashioning,
circulating and even policing early modern Italian sexualities.
I welcome 20-minute papers on early modern Italian sexualities in relation
to literature and art, and particularly for papers relating to female-female
erotic practices and/or that deal with the 'erotic inheritance' from
previous centuries.
Female-male erotic relations are ubiquitous in early modern literature, arts
and music--the delicious suffering of the Petrarchan lover is set to
exquisite music throughout the period, and the more prosaic suffering of
non-Petrarchan lovers is likewise a topic for song, comedy and poetry.
Male-male erotic relations are alluded to in literature, song and art, and
have had some scholarly attention, but, Pietro Aretino's licentious works
notwithstanding, female-female erotic practices and desires appear to be
less commonly depicted. Some historians and literary scholars have discerned
positive language for male-male activities and relationships in poetry and
literature (for example, the erotic language of male friendship) or in art
(e.g. the figure of Ganymede). Female-female practices and desire seem a
particularly underexplored aspect of early modern Italy. The integration of
eroticism with spirituality is likewise frequently alluded to yet poorly
understood. Papers might explore the circumstances surrounding the use of
alternative images for diverse sexual practices, or the integration of
sexualities and/or eroticism into facets of early modern Italian life.
Current confirmed participants include Bonnie Blackburn, Donna Cardamone,
Linda Carroll, Suzanne Cusick, Laura Giannetti,
Julia Hairston, Leofranc Holford-Strevens, Katherine McIver, Guido Ruggiero,
and Laurie Stras. Deborah Roberts (of Musica Secreta and the Tallis
Scholars) will perform a concert of music by 17th-century Italian courtesans
and nuns.
Please send abstracts via email (either in the body of an email or as an
attachment) to Melanie Marshall, [log in to unmask], by 7 February 2007.
Conference Website: http://www.music.ucc.ie/sexualities/
Current abstracts: http://www.music.ucc.ie/sexualities/abstracts.html
For more details, please contact:
Dr Melanie L. Marshall
Department of Music
University College Cork
Cork
Co. Cork
Ireland
Email: [log in to unmask]
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