Boundaries of Interpretation between Legal and Musical Texts

29- 30 October 2026, Camerino and Pesaro

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 reativity.

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

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).

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ISSN 2269-9910.

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Lundi 7 Septembre, 2026