Muti: ‘today culture is emptied of its meaning’

Muti, speaking from Andria, the town that recently conferred honorary citizenship upon him and home to Castel del Monte, which captivated him as a child, issues a warning: “Culture today is emptied of its meaning.”

He observes this phenomenon manifesting in various ways and for reasons unrelated to culture. “Our country is somewhat impoverished in terms of culture, but this is not the fault of the Italians,” he adds. Muti appeals to those concerned about the fate of Italy, urging, “Let us never forget that the greatest glory of our country has always been art. We must help the new generations connect with this art and understand its millennia-old roots. If we forget this, we can no longer guide the new generations to govern with beauty.”

He emphasizes that those who visit Italy, whom we welcome, should recognize they are in a land still respected worldwide for its rich cultural history.

Muti recalls beginning his violin studies at eight in Molfetta (Bari), where he met Nino Rota, a renowned musician celebrated for his scores in Visconti and Rossellini films, as well as for solo concerts. “Every time I travel the world, I proudly say that I come from an important land, the South, and from an esteemed homeland, Italy.” He shares childhood anecdotes, such as a trip his father took in 1946 with a horse and carriage from Molfetta to Castel del Monte. “I was five years old when I first saw this immense structure. I was so struck by its beauty that it inspired me to learn more about Frederick II as I grew older.”

With a touch of humor, Muti mentions his “mania for correcting what is wrong.” He often finds himself correcting American menus that mislabel burrata, originally from Andria, as “buratta.” He concludes by thanking Andria's mayor, Giovanna Bruno, for her vital work, adding, “We need our country’s top leaders to lend their serious support.”