Who Says the Renaissance is Over?

What makes a true Renaissance man? He’s a man who can shift with the greatest of ease between painting, making music, writing, and, for the modern day Renaissance man, filmmaking.  He’s a man who, discreetly of course, can probably shift between women with the greatest of ease as well.  Not to say we know any juicy gossip about Franco Battiato, but a Renaissance man he is – in the most traditional sense of the term.

One of Italy’s most widely respected artists, he’s enjoyed a fruitful career as a singer/songwriter, composer, filmmaker, and painter; although he uses the pseudonym Suphan Barzani when he paints.  With so many talents under Battiato’s name, he had to create a whole new man to be the painter – a Renaissance man, indeed!  Battiato will perform alongside the Nuovo Quartetto Italiano at the Broad Stage this Sunday evening so you can see the man, the myth, the legend all for yourself.

Popular in Italy since the 1970s, his music encompasses both the romantic and the controversial – his voice seduces you and then hits you with references to Nietzsche and Manilo Sgalambro.  If his music isn’t quite your thing, by the way, you can head over to the Italian Cultural Institute to see his paintings through November 14 or you can make your way to USC tonight for a screening of his film Musikanten.  Battiato is the very picture of the Italian man your mother warned you about; he’s a sensitive (multi-talented) artist and he’s got a sexy Italian accent.

Part of Hitweek LA, Franco Battiato will perform with Nuovo Quartetto Italiano at the Broad Stage on Sunday, Oct 18 at 6:00pm.  For more information on the concert, please click here.

His paintings will be on view through November 14 and for more information, please click here.  Lastly, his film Musikanten will screen tonight at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Click here for more information.