Canto Delle Balene / Dal Niente al Dente

Clarinet virtuoso Ernesto Molinari invites you on an extraordinary musical journey — from the depths of the ocean to the edges of theatre and taste. Together with contrabass clarinetist Donna Molinari, he explores the outer limits of the clarinet family in a double premiere full of colour and curiosity.

Part I – Two World Premieres
CANTO DELLE BALENE (Song of the Whale, 2025)
A haunting and resonant dialogue between two contrabass clarinets – an underwater soundscape, rich in overtones and depth.

TRIBUTE TO MISHA MENGELBERG (2025)
A playful and imaginative homage to the legendary Dutch composer, featuring arrangements of his iconic works such as Weer is een dag voorbij, De sprong, o Romantiek der Hazen, and others – brought to life by a trio of clarinets (Bb, A, bass, and contrabass).

Part II – Dal niente al dente
After the break, the audience is treated to a musical, theatrical, and even culinary surprise.
An inventive and humorous journey, where clarinets are not only played, but tasted.
A performance with a smile – and a happy ending.

Ernesto & Donna Molinari double bass clarinets
Ernesto Molinari bass clarinet, A-clarinet, B-flat clarinet

About Ernesto Molinari:
Swiss clarinetist Ernesto Molinari (1956, Lugano) is internationally recognized as a soloist, chamber musician, and innovator on the entire clarinet spectrum. A student of the legendary Harry Sparnaay in Amsterdam, Molinari was a long-time member of Klangforum Wien, performs with Collegium Novum Zürich, and has premiered countless contemporary works. He is professor of clarinet at the Bern University of the Arts and founder of the CLEX (Contrabass Clarinet Extended) research project. He has taught at Darmstadt since 2000 and inspires a new generation of clarinetists with his fearless musicality and deep curiosity.