Exploring the intimate connection between human and instrumental voices: Paola Livorsi completes doctoral degree on “voicelikeness”
Livorsi’s innovative research is bridging human voice and instrumental sound in multidisciplinary art.
Paola Livorsi, an Italian composer based in Finland, has completed her doctoral artistic research project at Sibelius Academy. Her research concerns the intimate connections between the human voice and instrumental sound, explored through a series of multidisciplinary art projects over the past eight years.
Exploring the nuances of sound
Livorsi’s fascination lies in the singular expressiveness of the human voice compared to the equally distinctive “voice” of a string instrument in the hands of a musician. She investigates their similarities through a series of five works of art. As she explains, “I’m interested in the uniqueness of human and instrumental voices and the wonderful variety of each person and each instrument.”
The artistic component of her research comprises five performances that combine different approaches, spatial settings and fields of art. These include vocal and instrumental music, electronic music, expanded cinema, dance, performance art, and opera.
Her recent chamber work Medusa encapsulates key aspects of her research. It combines music, visual arts, and contemporary dance to delve into themes of narcissism, shifting identities and ancient myths. Livorsi explored her voice in unexpected ways to create source material for the opera, moving beyond traditional singing.
According to Livorsi, “I explored my own voice to find material that gave a raw, unconventional edge.”
Bridging music, language, and identity
Livorsi’s doctoral journey reveals surprising connections between music and language. She researched how they originated and evolved together in human history, through interdisciplinary existing studies. This multifaceted research opens up new perspectives in vocal music, native language, music psychology and the body’s role in sound perception and production.
The public examination of Livorsi’s doctoral degree will take place at the Helsinki Music Centre on Saturday 28 October. It begins with the audio-tactile installation “Haptic Voices”, allowing listeners to experience recorded voices and instruments through touch.
Rediscovering our origins
Livorsi hopes to spark curiosity about the primal bond between human vocalisation and musical instruments. She aims to make listeners reflect on their personal connections to sound as well as the origins of music and speech.
Ultimately, her pioneering research reaffirms the profound relationships between the human voice, language, identity, and instruments. It points to new frontiers in understanding our urge to speak, sing and make music.
More information
Paola Livorsi
paola.livorsi@uniarts.fi
Paola Livorsi, a distinguished musician and composer, began her studies in Alessandria, Italy. Based in Helsinki since 2001, she’s collaborated with international ensembles and festivals, earning accolades like the Pro Musica prize in 2020.
Public examination of the artistic doctoral degree of Paola Livorsi
28.10.2023 klo 12, Black Box, Helsinki Music Centre (Mannerheimintie 13)
Title of the doctoral project: Human voice and instrumental voice: an investigation of voicelikeness
- The board which assessed the artistic demonstrations: Prof. Dr. Otso Aavanranta (2016-2017, 2022), Dr. Päivi Järviö (2022), Prof. Dr. Mieko Kanno (2016–2020), Prof. emeritus Juhani Liimatainen (2016–2020), Dr. Outi Pulkkinen (2022), Dr. Taina Riikonen (2016–2017), Dr. Kalev Tiits (2016-2022)
- Examiners of the thesis: Dr. Mareike Dobewall University of the Arts Stockholm, Prof. Dr. Winnie Huang Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln
- Custos: Prof. Dr. Jan Schacher