"What strikes me about Sardinia? The intoxicating power of nature." Niccolò Fabi returns to the island for three consecutive dates, but for an artist who, at 58, continues to seek a profound dialogue with time, place, and the most authentic dimension of existence, it's not just a stage but a territory called upon to daily defend "a precious balance, that between the presence of man and a still-pristine nature." With a career spanning over 25 years, the Roman singer-songwriter brings to Sardinia the summer tour of "Libertà negli occhi," his tenth album of unreleased songs born from a ten-day retreat in a mountain cabin in Val di Sole: on July 16th he'll be in Porto Rotondo, on July 17th in Cabras, and on July 18th in Sarroch.
A secluded residence far from the music industry, why this unconventional choice?
"I don't think I've ever done anything against the grain, in the sense of going against anything. I tried to understand what concerns me most and took the liberty of following it. Locking ourselves up with our usual friends and musicians in a splendid setting in the snow, without distractions, allowed us to infuse the recordings with a serenity that could enrich the songs."
You called this album "a gift to yourself and your fellow travelers." How important is sharing to you?
"The life of a singer-songwriter is filled with great solitude. Writing is a solitary experience, at least in my experience, a personal exercise that risks becoming self-referential. Meeting the gaze of others helps me to confront myself."
In "Freedom in the Eyes," the theme of the essential and the ability to pause returns. Is this a need born from this historical moment?
"I believe it's an age-old human need: when we grow up and realize we've become richer, even quantitatively, we move into a different phase, that of subtraction and reducing our expectations of grandeur. In the end, what truly belongs to us is little."
One of the most powerful songs is "Nessuna battaglia," a call for a different approach to illness. Is there a theme you feel close to?
"The relationship with illness is an inevitable experience as we get older, and I believe this determines our approach to life. I think we need to accept it as an integral part of existence: it shouldn't be interpreted through the military vocabulary of warriors, of the enemy from beyond. It's a part of us."
What do you look for when you go on stage today?
"Over time, I've almost unwittingly acquired a certain air of master of ceremonies. Like a regeneration session, I feel, as a human being, that people are tuning in: I'm not saying my concerts are therapy, but I have the feeling that the audience leaves with a little more confidence."
In Sardinia, three events in very evocative locations. How will you experience them?
I don't think I've ever played three concerts in Sardinia in a row, and I'm thrilled. Every time I come here, I feel the intoxicating power of nature, of the coasts and the hinterland. The smells, the colors... the island is special and makes me feel more than ever the importance of protecting the right balance between the environment and humanity. It must remain unique.
