In the gardens of the historic Residence of Italy in Bolivia, the Italian Ambassador to La Paz, Fabio Messineo, hosted the third edition of the Italian music concert “Serenata alla Repubblica”, now a traditional prelude to the celebration of Italy’s National Day, which was given particular prominence on the occasion of the 80th anniversary.
The first part of the concert, performed by the group “Sariri”, was dedicated to opera music and film soundtracks. The programme featured pieces by Ennio Morricone from Sergio Leone’s films, works by Nicola Piovani and Nino Rota, as well as famous opera arias by Verdi (“La Traviata”), Bellini (“Norma”) and Mascagni (Intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana”).
The second part of the concert marked the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis with the song from Franco Zeffirelli’s 1972 film “Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna”, based on the “Canticle of the Creatures”. Tribute was also paid to two recently deceased singers, Gino Paoli and Ornella Vanoni, with performances of some of their best-known songs.
During the event, attended by local authorities, members of the diplomatic corps and leading representatives of the Italian community, recognition was given to the “Presidio Letterario” status awarded to the La Paz branch of the “Società Dante Alighieri” for its significant contribution to the dissemination of Italian language and culture and to the strengthening of cultural ties between Italy and Bolivia.
