Palindromo by Massimiliano Damerini is a work for solo female voice, dedicated to Laura Catrani. Its text is the Latin palindrome In girum imus nocte, et consumimur igni.
In his preface, the composer describes this anonymous medieval phrase as both a palindrome and a riddle: it may evoke fireflies, moths or, figuratively, souls in hell. The idea of reversal is also reflected in the music.
Performance notes. The consonants c and t in bars 26, 32, 56 and 62 should be extremely percussive. The indication senza vibrato applies only to the bar in which it appears.
Three passages (bars 29–37, 52–61 and 88 to the end) contain piano-pedal symbols. The composer offers three alternatives: use a microphone with reverberation without increasing the voice’s volume; sing towards the strings of a piano with its sustain pedal held down; or perform without any additional resonance. The work remains for solo female voice.
The printed preface and performance instructions are in Italian; the sung text is in Latin.