Centenary of Giordano Riccati (1709-1790)
As part of the initiatives called for by the Veneto Region to
celebrate the centenaries of illustrious Veneto ï¬gures, the Foundation
Scuola di San Giorgio and the Giorgio Cini Foundation have planned a
very varied series of events to commemorate Giordano Riccati. A
mathematician, musician, architect, theoretician, physicist and
geometrician, Riccati was a remarkably creative ï¬gure, who engaged in
research at the highest level in the second half of the 18th century.
Born at Castelfranco Veneto and an adoptive citizen of Treviso, Riccati
had intense correspondence with some of the leading cultural ï¬gures of
his age: one fascinating example is provided by his exchanges with
Giuseppe Tartini, which explore new issues of theoretical and applied
physics of acoustics. Moreover, Riccati designed churches and theatres
taking special care over theoretical, practical and architectural
acoustics. A number of initiatives will be dedicated to the
scientist-architect: an international study conference; all-round
research in the various ï¬elds of his activities, a series of
introductory lectures aimed at mapping out the broad topic of
Enlightenment scientiï¬c research; the creation of a university course
on Musical and Architectural Acoustics named after him; and, lastly,
two concerts, with music by Veneto composers from the second half of
the 18th century: Vallotti, Valeri, and Spergher. The concerts will be
held in the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore and Chioggia Cathedral (as
a reminder that Riccati was responsible for acoustic restoration of the
choir in this church).
