Release Date 09 July 2012

An internationally-acclaimed Italian musician will make his debut performance in the UK this week at the University of Reading's magnificent Great Hall.

Gianmaria Testa is one of the most prominent singer-songwriters in Italy, and has been invited to give a public performance on Friday 13 July as part of an international conference hosted by the University's Department of Modern Languages.

The two-day conference, entitled 'Transnational Italy', will see speakers and guests from all over the world explore how literature, language, cinema and the visual arts have changed people's ideas about Italy's national identity, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Dr Paola Nasti, University of Reading Italian Studies lecturer and conference organiser, said: "We are delighted that Gianmaria Testa has accepted our invitation to perform in the UK for the first time as part of the Transnational Italy conference. His music is the perfect accompaniment to the academic aspects of the conference as he, too, is focused on worldwide issues like identity, migration and feeling displaced in society.

"The concert is open to all and we hope that local people will join us in celebrating Gianmaria's debut performance in the UK."

The concert is free to attend and members of the public are welcome. Tickets are not required. It is taking place in the Great Hall at the University's London Road campus at 6pm, Friday 13 July.

ENDS

For more information about the concert and conference visit http://www.transnationalitaly.org or email transnationalitaly@gmail.com.

Notes for editors:

The conference has been organised in collaboration with the Society for Italian Studies and is sponsored by the Italian Consulate.