Jerusalem at the Museum of Israel before the great master’s famous fresco “The Annunciation” (on loan from the Uffizi Gallery), which will remain on display through 10 February.
Diplomats – including Italian ambassador to Israel Francesco Maria Talo’ – joined business persons, artists and others from cultural spheres despite the bad weather to meet in the hall where the painting is mounted, where they attended a concert organised by the Italy-Israel Foundation for Culture and Art and the Italian Embassy and Cultural Institute.
“From theRenaissance to Prayer”
The evening, entitled “From the Renaissance to Prayer”, was a tribute to the painting, with music providing the connection. The event began with the voice of Israeli artist David D’Or performing “Kol Mehashamaim” (A voice from Heaven), the prayer of an angel, in reference to the Angel Gabriel of the painting; next came Schubert’s “Ave Maria”, sung by soprano Alla Vasilevitski of the Israeli Opera, accompanied by the European Musicians Youth Orchestra. The two selections allowed the Museum’s curator Shlomit Steinberg to highlight the significance of the fresco set in Nazareth. Finally, a performance by the string quintet presented by Paolo Olmi – who will be conducting the Christmas Concert in Bethlehem – with “Ancient Dances and Arias for Lute” by Ottorino Respighi, inspired by Renaissance music. The grand finale came with Niccolò Paganini’s “Prayer Sonata”, and variations on the theme of Gioachino Rossini’s “Dal tuo stellato soglio”, performed by violin soloist Roman Kim. Israeli ambassador Raphael Gamzou, Vice President of the foundation, thanked all those who had made the exhibition possible, in particular Banca Intesa Sanpaolo, and Florentine perfume producer Lorenzo Villoresi, who sponsored the musical event.
