Elide Sulsenti - New modes of interaction between gesture and sound.

Elide Sulsenti, cellist and researcher, is carrying out a project that combines music, technical objects, and technological innovation. During the residency, she is working on the design of an “augmented” cello bow, equipped with sensors such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, to experiment with new modes of interaction between gesture and sound. The results of this research will be made available in open-source format, with the aim of sharing them with the musical and academic communities.

In parallel, Elide is collaborating with the Composition and Scoring for Film and Media classes to develop a concert (Connect Festival), scheduled for 13 March 2025, at 16:30, in the Red Room at IAC. The project focuses on the interaction between the cello and soundscapes, exploring new creative perspectives. Read more.

Another aspect of her research involves the piece Pietà by Lisa Streich, for cello and motorized instruments. During the residency, Elide is initiating a revision of the piece, creating an automated version where the motors are controlled via a programmed timeline.

This work is part of her doctoral research and reflects a broader inquiry inspired by Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT), with a focus on technical objects and new technologies, aiming to expand the boundaries between traditional musical instruments and technological innovation.

The residency project is supervised by Daniel Hjorth and Bent Sørensen from Malmö Academy of Music. The residency is granted by CultureMovesEurope. 

Elide Sulsenti is a cellist and performer passionate about experimentation and innovation. Her classical training, which includes studies at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Enrico Dindo’s class and the Hochschule of Lucerne, along with experiences at institutions such as the Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest, has led her to focus on contemporary music and the exploration of new sonic potentials. With an interdisciplinary approach, Elide integrates technology, augmented instruments, and performative practices in unconventional contexts.

Her performances, ranging from classical to contemporary music, have been recognized with distinctions such as the Fritz Gerber Award (2023) and the Valentino Bucchi Prize (2024). Combining artistic research and experimentation, she enhances the interaction between space, sound, and audience, a theme that is currently central to her doctoral project at the Conservatorio di Ferrara. 

Alongside her academic work, Elide actively participates in international festivals, both as a soloist and in ensembles, including the Lucerne Festival (CH), Connect Festival (SE), and EstOvest Festival (IT). She collaborates with composers of various nationalities and conducts annual workshops and masterclasses at academic institutions across Europe.