The Al Bustan Festival, which this year is dedicated to Italian music, is winding up in Beirut. The “Crescendo, celebrating Italian music” Festival, with the support of the Italian Embassy, Cultural Institute and artistic director Gianluca Marcianò hosted up to 100 Italian artists in 20 live music events, with excerpts from operas composed by Cimarosa, Verdi, Mascagni, Paganini, Vivaldi, Rota, Moricone, Pergolesi, Monteverdi, Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini.
Some of the most successful events included the recital by the famous accordionist Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, the performance of “La Traviata”, which shall be repeated and dedicated to the Italian contingent of UNIFIL, the dance performance by the Ballet of the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala and the closing concert, conducted by Maestro Francesco Manara.
A special tribute was paid to the concert by World Youth Orchestra, in chamber ensemble format, which comprises a group of young musicians from Italy, Colombia, Lebanon, Iran, Armenia, Spain, France, Turkey, Serbia and Brazil, conducted by Maestro Damiano Giuranna.
