Prof. Francesco Ciabattoni

Professor Michael O’Connor

Assistant Prof. Stephen Tardif

St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum

Dante's Musical Journey in the Divine Comedy: SMC Annual Dante Lecture

The University of St. Michael’s College is an institution founded—and grounded—in hope.St. Michael’s was established in 1852 by the Basilian Fathers to serve the growing Catholic population in Toronto, educating the children of immigrants who had come to Canada in search of a better life for their families. Historically rooted in the educational mission shaped by the Basilians, the Sisters from the Congregations of St. Joseph and Loretto and other key community members, St. Michael’s seeks to build a transformational faith and learning community committed to the search for truth and meaning in our contemporary world. Our graduates are leaders in their communities, effecting positive change that respects and honours the dignity of all.As the university looks forward to its 180th anniversary in 2032, it is operating with a strategic plan titled St. Mike’s 180: Rooted in the Future. The plan, which imbues all aspects of university life, is built on three pillars: academics, community and sustainability, all stemming from the university’s commitment to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.Today, St. Michael’s is home to 5,000 students studying everything from astronomy and English to architecture and zoology. Our status as a federated college within the University of Toronto, one of the world’s top research universities, offers students a wealth of academic and extra-curricular choices. At the undergraduate level, St. Michael’s sponsors four programs, including Christianity and Culture, Book and Media Studies, Celtic Studies and Mediaeval Studies.

University of St. Michael's College

Professor Ciabattoni will speak about Dante's Musical Journey In The Divine Comedy.

Alumni Hall, Room 400, University of St. Michael's College

<a href="" title="" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dear members of the St. Michael’s alumni community and friends, </a><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dantes-musical-journey-in-the-divine-comedy-smc-annual-dante-lecture-tickets-1617890687599?aff=oddtdtcreator" title="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dantes-musical-journey-in-the-divine-comedy-smc-annual-dante-lecture-tickets-1617890687599?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Please join us</a> as our guest on Oct 24, 2025 for our Day of Dante!2025 Dante celebrations will begin with <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/news/new-sculpture-garden-at-st-michaels-will-share-dante-with-the-city" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/news/new-sculpture-garden-at-st-michaels-will-share-dante-with-the-city" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Dante Garden</a> Tour from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, followed by the annual Dante Lecture<a href="" title="" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm</a> and a Reception from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm featuring a display of new additions to The Dante Collection at the <a href="https://library.stmikes.utoronto.ca/" title="https://library.stmikes.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">John M. Kelly Library</a>.This year’s Dante Lecture, Dante's Musical Journey in the Divine Comedy, will be presented by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-ciabattoni-65b241a/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-ciabattoni-65b241a/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Francesco Ciabattoni</a>, <a href="https://medievalstudies.georgetown.edu/profiles/francesco-ciabattoni/#:~:text=Francesco%20Ciabattoni%20is%20the%20Term%20Professor%20in%20Italian,PhD%20in%20Italian%20Studies%20from%20Johns%20Hopkins%20University." title="https://medievalstudies.georgetown.edu/profiles/francesco-ciabattoni/#:~:text=Francesco%20Ciabattoni%20is%20the%20Term%20Professor%20in%20Italian,PhD%20in%20Italian%20Studies%20from%20Johns%20Hopkins%20University." target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Professor of Italian Literature and Director of Global Medieval Studies at Georgetown University</a>, with musical examples performed by members of the St. Michael’s <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/community/spiritual-life-campus-ministry/st-michaels-schola-cantorum" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/community/spiritual-life-campus-ministry/st-michaels-schola-cantorum" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Schola Cantorum</a> led by <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/about-us/contact-us/directory/michael-oconnor" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/about-us/contact-us/directory/michael-oconnor" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Professor Michael O’Connor</a>, W. J. Bennett Family Chair of Christianity and the Arts, University of St. Michael’s College. The annual Dante Lecture was established by Alberto Di Giovanni and Caroline Morgan Di Giovanni.Tickets to this free event sell out quickly so book your seat today!1. The Dante Garden Tour, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, NE corner of St. Joseph St. and Queen’s Park Cres. E. Toronto - light refreshments2. Dante Lecture, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, Alumni Hall 400, 121 St. Joseph St., Toronto3. Reception Featuring New Additions to The Dante Collection, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Fr. Madden Hall, Carr Hall, 100 St. Joseph St., Toronto- light refreshments“St. Michael’s has long been known for its appreciation of Dante as a major part of Christian imagination. We host an annual Dante Lecture, house a substantial Dante Collection in the Kelly Library and The Dante Garden offers a unique way for students and the broader community to engage with the genius of Dante,” says St. Michael’s President David Sylvester.” DANTE GARDEN TOURThis exclusive tour of <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/news/new-sculpture-garden-at-st-michaels-will-share-dante-with-the-city" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/news/new-sculpture-garden-at-st-michaels-will-share-dante-with-the-city" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Dante Garden</a> led by <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/about-us/contact-us/directory/stephen-tardif" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/about-us/contact-us/directory/stephen-tardif" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Assistant Professor Stephen Tardif</a>, University of St. Michael’s College, is offered in collaboration with <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/academics/continuing-education" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/academics/continuing-education" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">St. Mike’s Divison of Continuing Education</a>. DANTE LECTURE WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY ST. MICHAEL’S SCHOLA CANTORUM2025 Dante Lecture speaker <a href="https://medievalstudies.georgetown.edu/profiles/francesco-ciabattoni/#:~:text=Francesco%20Ciabattoni%20is%20the%20Term%20Professor%20in%20Italian,PhD%20in%20Italian%20Studies%20from%20Johns%20Hopkins%20University." title="https://medievalstudies.georgetown.edu/profiles/francesco-ciabattoni/#:~:text=Francesco%20Ciabattoni%20is%20the%20Term%20Professor%20in%20Italian,PhD%20in%20Italian%20Studies%20from%20Johns%20Hopkins%20University." target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Prof. Ciabattoni</a> will be presenting Dante's Musical Journey in The Divine Comedy. The role of sacred music, drama, and dance in The Divine Comedy (1306-1321) goes far beyond the merely rhetorical and decorative: it adds metaphysical meaning to the description of Christian afterlife. From infernal cacophony, the healing power of Gregorian chant pervades the Purgatory, and Dante's musical journey culminates with the evocation in the Paradise of polyphonic singing, a technical novelty of the late Middle Ages. Prof. Ciabattoni will explain the progression of performative episodes in The Divine Comedy, from Inferno’s “unholy racket” to purgatorial plain chant, and finally to harmonious polyphony in heaven, revealing the complex authorial strategy that marks the passage from musical punishment to purification in purgatory, and to reconciliation of human multiplicity and divine unity in the threefold spiritual voyage of Dante's masterpiece.This year, we have a special treat! The lecture will incorporate musical examples performed by members of <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/community/spiritual-life-campus-ministry/st-michaels-schola-cantorum" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/community/spiritual-life-campus-ministry/st-michaels-schola-cantorum" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum</a> led by <a href="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/about-us/contact-us/directory/michael-oconnor" title="https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/about-us/contact-us/directory/michael-oconnor" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Prof. Michael O’Connor</a>. RECEPTION FEATURING A DISPLAY OF NEW ADDITIONS TO THE DANTE COLLECTION Following the lecture, please join us for a reception where James Roussain, William D. Sharpe Chief Librarian and Director of Special Collections, will host a display of new additions to the <a href="https://library.stmikes.utoronto.ca/" title="https://library.stmikes.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">John M. Kelly Library</a>'s The Dante Collection. The Dante Collection was established in the Kelly Library in 2013 based on a gift of books and works of art by Alberto Di Giovanni and Caroline Morgan Di Giovanni. From the beginning it has emphasized illustrated editions of La Divina Commedia, particularly facsimiles of early manuscripts. Over the past 12 years the collection has continued to grow thanks to ongoing donations by the Di Giovannis, as well as donations from other private collectors and purchases by the Kelly Library. These items are regularly used by undergraduate students in the course “The Illustrated Dante” taught each year in the <a href="" title="" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">St. Michael’s College Book and Media Studies Program</a> by <a href="https://www.italianstudies.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/giulia-gaimari" title="https://www.italianstudies.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/giulia-gaimari" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Professor Giulia Gaimari</a>. We expect this (free) event to be extremely popular so book your ticket early! 2025 Dante Lecturer Bio<a href="https://medievalstudies.georgetown.edu/profiles/francesco-ciabattoni/#:~:text=Francesco%20Ciabattoni%20is%20the%20Term%20Professor%20in%20Italian,PhD%20in%20Italian%20Studies%20from%20Johns%20Hopkins%20University." title="https://medievalstudies.georgetown.edu/profiles/francesco-ciabattoni/#:~:text=Francesco%20Ciabattoni%20is%20the%20Term%20Professor%20in%20Italian,PhD%20in%20Italian%20Studies%20from%20Johns%20Hopkins%20University." target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Prof. Francesco Ciabattoni</a> (Laurea from Università di Torino; PhD from Johns Hopkins University) is Professor of Italian Literature and Director of Global Medieval Studies at Georgetown University. His research focus lies on Dante and the Middle Ages, and the interplay of music and literature. He has published many essays on Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Valla, Pasolini, Berto, and Italian songwriters. His latest monograph, <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783111406824/html?lang=en" title="https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783111406824/html?lang=en" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dante's Performance. Music, Dance, and Drama in the “Commedia"</a>, was published De Gruyter in 2024.Among his appointments are: Secretary of the American Boccaccio Association; Councillor of the Dante Society of America.Prof. Ciabattoni also published book on the role of music in the Commedia (Dante’s Journey to Polyphony, University of Toronto Press, 2010), a book on the lyrics of Italy's songwriters (La citazione è sintomo d'amore, Carocci, 2016) and recently edited the following volumes:<ul><li>The Decameron Third Day in Perspective: Volume Three of the Lectura Boccaccii. Edited by Francesco Ciabattoni &amp; Pier Massimo Forni: University of Toronto Press, 2014.</li><li>L'Editio Princeps della Commedia (Foligno 1472). Edited by Francesco Ciabattoni &amp; Alessandro Scarsella, Milan: Biblion, 2022.</li><li>Crocevia. Percorsi dell'Intermedialità. Edited by Francesco Ciabattoni, Fulvio Orsitto, and Simona Wright, LED, 2022.</li><li>Dante Alive: Essays on a Cultural Icon. Edited by Francesco Ciabattoni &amp; Simone Marchesi, Routledge, 2022.</li><li><a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783111406824/html?lang=en" title="https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783111406824/html?lang=en" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dante's Performance. Music, Dance, and Drama in the “Commedia"</a>, Berlin: De Gruyter, 2024</li></ul>He has also published essays and poems in various international journals as well as a collection of original poems (Paradosso terrestre, Il filo, 2008). Prof. Ciabattoni is also the founder and director of <a href="https://theitaliansong.com/" title="https://theitaliansong.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">the first bilingual website about Italian songwriters</a>, with critical commentaries and translations. QUESTIONS? REQUIRE ACCOMODATIONS?Please contact us at <a href="mailto:smc.alumniaffairs@utoronto.ca" title="mailto:smc.alumniaffairs@utoronto.ca" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">smc.alumniaffairs@utoronto.ca</a>.We look forward to experiencing “Dante's Musical Journey in the Divine Comedy” together!Warmly,Lisa Webb, Manager, Alumni Affairs

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Dante's Musical Journey in the Divine Comedy: SMC Annual Dante Lecture

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