Giulio Rapetti Mogol, the celebrated Italian lyricist, is preparing to share insights into his legendary collaboration with Lucio Battisti in the show “Emozioni. Viaggio tra le canzoni di Mogol e Battisti.” The performance, featuring vocalist Gianmarco Carroccia, will take place on Thursday, March 12th, at the PalaUbroker in Bassano del Grappa, having been rescheduled from November 21st.
Mogol, born in Milan in 1936, is renowned for crafting the lyrics to some of Italy’s most beloved songs. The show promises a journey through the creative partnership that defined a generation, exploring the stories and nuances behind classics like “Un’avventura” and many others. As Mogol approaches his 90th birthday on August 17th, he continues to celebrate a career deeply intertwined with Italian musical history.
The collaboration with Carroccia began serendipitously. Mogol recounted being encouraged by a mutual friend to attend a concert by the young performer in Sperlonga. “I went, curious,” he explained. “I listened to this young man and was struck: his interpretations were perfect, faithful to the spirit of the songs but alive, felt.” He immediately proposed a collaboration, leading to the current touring production.
The upcoming performance will delve into the unique working relationship Mogol shared with Battisti. “Our method was simple and all-encompassing: we would shut ourselves away in a house for ten consecutive days, without distractions, focused only on the music and the words,” Mogol described. “In that suspended time, a special connection was created, allowing us to search for – and find – something authentic, something true. It was from those moments that our most beloved songs were born.”
Mogol described his songwriting process as a translation of musical emotion into lyrics. “I listen to the music and ask myself, ‘What is this piece communicating?’” he said. “My job is to translate that message into words, to make it clear and universal. When the meaning of the notes and the text coincide, then I know the song will function. It’s a matter of deep harmony between sound and sense, between instinct and awareness.”
Even as acknowledging a wealth of cherished songs, Mogol singled out “Dormi amore,” composed by Gianni Bella and written for Adriano Celentano, as a particularly meaningful piece. “It’s a song I love very much, for its delicacy and the depth of its message,” he shared. “Every time I listen to it, it gives me the same emotions as when I wrote it.”
Mogol is also involved in a recent project with Giusy Ferreri addressing a critical social issue. “It’s a project against femicide,” he stated. “It’s a theme that is deeply close to my heart. I found in Giusy an extraordinary voice, capable of giving strength and truth to every word. I believe that music can – and must – contribute to changing collective sensitivity, even on such painful topics.”
For aspiring musicians, Mogol offered a unique opportunity. He encouraged young artists to visit his school in Toscolano, Umbria, where they train authors, performers, and producers. “It’s a reality that I care deeply about,” he said. “We teach not only technique but also artistic sensitivity. The project has even been studied at Harvard and the Berklee College of Music in Boston, which fills us with pride. It means that high-level musical education is possible in Italy as well.”
Despite approaching his ninth decade, Mogol remains passionately engaged with music. “I am very happy with my work, even though the pace is naturally not what it used to be,” he admitted. “But the passion is the same. I continue to focus on popular musical culture, which I love and consider fundamental: It’s part of our collective history and has given so much to ‘high’ culture. I think the experience with Lucio Battisti demonstrates this well. I don’t do criticism, I don’t analyze: I write. I am and want to remain an author, because it is through words that I feel I can still say something true today.”
As Mogol continues to share his musical legacy, his work serves as a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and the timeless quality of heartfelt songwriting. The upcoming performance in Bassano del Grappa promises to be a moving tribute to a remarkable partnership and a celebration of Italian musical heritage.
What comes next for Mogol and Carroccia remains to be seen, but the continued success of “Emozioni” suggests a bright future for this unique and captivating show. Share your thoughts on Mogol and Battisti’s music in the comments below.
