Call for papers – Boundaries of Interpretation between Legal and Musical Texts
29-30 October 2026

International Conference organised by:

Conservatorio di Musica ‘G. Rossini’ di Pesaro
Piazza Olivieri 5, Pesaro

Università di Camerino
Via D’Accorso c/o Campus Universitario, Camerino (MC)

The ‘G. Rossini’ Conservatoire of Music in Pesaro and the University of Camerino are pleased to invite scholars to submit proposals for the international conference “Boundaries of Interpretation between Legal and Musical Texts”, to be held in Camerino and Pesaro from 29 to 30 October 2026.

The conference aims to explore the relationship between law and music with particular reference to the concept of interpretation, which for decades has engaged scholars in both fields in a rich interdisciplinary dialogue. Special attention will be devoted to possible lines of convergence in the reading of texts, since both verbal language – more specifically, legal language – and musical language retain elements of “indeterminacy” that render the notion of literal interpretation utopian, although they take the form of prescriptive writings.

Whereas a static and immutable reading of legal texts, understood as expressing a single “true” meaning, is impossible, this is even more apparent in the musical domain. This holds despite the persistence of the nineteenth-century concept of das Werk: the idea of a single, unique, and inimitable work endowed with an autonomous meaning that pre-exists its sonic realisation, and whose authorial intention, objectified in the score, the performer is expected to render.

Legal and musical texts share a normative dimension that constrains the interpreter’s discretion; however, the hermeneutic process does not consist solely in reconstructing an immutable truth. As a result, the triadic relationship – author, text, interpreter – assumes specific and shifting configurations according to time and place.

If the ideology of fidelity to the work (Werktreue) is set aside, what tools enable us to assess the truthfulness of the interpreter’s reading? What boundaries should be established so that the dialectical synthesis between interpreter and text can result in the restitution of the idea objectified therein, rather than in an act of mere creativity? If interpretive activity in the legal field is subject to scrutiny – through reasoning and justification – what instruments can ensure the objectivity of the reading of musical texts and, consequently, validate the scientific character of interpretation?

Areas of inquiry may include the following topics:

• Convergences between interpretive paradigms in legal and musical texts.
• Ars oratoria as a tool for the construction of meaning in law and music.
• Fidelity to the text: the utopia of an ars mensurabilis.
• Measurability and validation tools for assessing the truthfulness of interpretation.
• Interpreter as mediator of the text: limits and margins of freedom.
• Emilio Betti and the idealist roots of his concept of interpretation.
• Philological approach as a counterbalance to the interpreter’s creativity.

The two conference sessions will be introduced by keynote lectures delivered by experts in the fields of law, music, and literature.

Proposals, to be sent to stefania.dedominicis@unicam.it and m.coraggio@conservatoriorossini.it by 20 July 2026, must include:

• applicant’s name;
• contact details (email, phone number);
• title of the paper;
• an abstract (maximum 500 words) summarising the content of the paper, the research objectives, and the contribution to the advancement of knowledge;
• a brief curriculum vitae (maximum 150 words);
• a list of required technical equipment.

Notification of acceptance will be sent by 30 July 2026. Further information about the programme and registration will be announced after that date.

Presentations should not exceed 20 minutes. The official languages of the conference are Italian and English.

Scientific Committee:

• Tatiana Guarnier (University of Camerino)
• Sonia L’Innocente (University of Camerino)
• Lamberto Lugli (‘G. Rossini’ Conservatoire of Music, Pesaro)
• Sara Spuntarelli (University of Camerino)
• Mariateresa Storino (‘G. Rossini’ Conservatoire of Music, Pesaro)

Organising Committee:

• Margherita Coraggio (‘G. Rossini’ Conservatoire of Music, Pesaro)
• Stefania De Dominicis (University of Camerino)

Mezio Agostini Conference – 30^th October 2025

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mezio Agostini (1875–1944), the Rossini Conservatoire is celebrating the composer from Fano with a study day held under the scientific patronage of the Mezio Agostini Study Centre in Fano, IAML – Italy (International Association of Music Libraries), SIdM (Italian Musicological Society), ARiM-ETS (Marchigian Association for the Research and Enhancement of Musical Sources), and under the institutional patronage of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pesaro and the G. Rossini Foundation.

Throughout its long history, the Rossini Conservatory has trained students who have pursued careers in performance, teaching, and academic leadership, playing a significant role in both the national and international music scenes. Mezio Agostini was first a student and later a professor at the Rossini Conservatory. In 1909, he was appointed director of the Liceo Musicale in Venice, a position he held until 1940.

The conference welcomes presentations focusing on biographical aspects and the compositional output of Mezio Agostini, with particular attention to the historical and musical context in which he lived and worked.

The Scientific Committee also welcomes free papers. Preference will be given to proposals addressing (but not limited to) the following topics:

• Mezio Agostini’s relationship with contemporary composers
• His contribution to the Venetian school of cello playing
• Mezio Agostini as an opera composer

Scientific Committee:

• Federico Agostinelli (Rossini Conservatoire, Pesaro)
• Concetta Assenza (Rossini Conservatoire, Pesaro)
• Michele Mangani (Rossini Conservatoire, Pesaro)
• Giovannimaria Perrucci (Rossini Musical Lyceum, Pesaro)

Conference languages: Italian and English

Proposal requirements:

• Title of the presentation
• Abstract in Word format (.doc or .docx), maximum length: 25 lines
• Short CV of the presenter in Word format (.doc or .docx), maximum length: 15 lines
• List of any technical equipment required for the presentation
• Contact details (email, phone number, residence address) and institutional affiliation (if any)

Presentations must not exceed 20 minutes.
Submission deadline: July 20, 2025
Notification of acceptance: by August 1, 2025

Proposals should be sent to:
Dr. Francesca Perrotta
Organizing Secretariat
Email: f.perrotta@conservatoriorossini.it

For full details regarding the conference proceedings, please consult the dedicated event page.