An “Italian Concert”, celebrating the 140th anniversary of the birth of the great Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, wrapped up the cultural program of the Embassy in Brasilia for 2019. The program featured an increasingly diversified offering, which has allowed thousands of people to attend, in most cases free of charge, quality initiatives in the most diverse sectors.
The concert at CineBrasilia was performed by the Claudio Santoro National Theater Symphony Orchestra, conducted for the occasion by Maestro Mario Leotta, founder of the Calabria Regional Orchestra of which he is Artistic and Musical Director, as well as founder and Musical Director of the Victor de Sabata Orchestra of Trieste. Over 400 spectators enjoyed various pieces, including “Three Suites of Ancient Airs and Dances”, “Pines of Rome” and “The Birds”. The well-established collaboration between the Embassy and the Symphony Orchestra of Brasilia, conducted by Maestro Cohen, pays tribute each year to an Italian composer, to promote the dissemination of classical music and symphonic-Italian chamber music to the local public and encourage close contact between the Brazilian Orchestra and an Italian conductor, to have an opportunity to exchange experiences and share knowledge.
At the end of November, two other important musical events took place. At the auditorium of the Superior Labor Court, a concert entitled “Italia, Grazie Mille” was held as part of the traditional program of gala concerts that the TST promotes to celebrate relations with countries that have contributed to the development of Brazilian culture and art. During this evening dedicated to Italy, the TST choir was supported for the occasion by the Italian Choir of the University of Brasilia and the Choir of the Fire Department of the Federal District. An exhibition on Italy entitled “Italy always alive” was organized at the same time, which featured panels, books and replicas of famous paintings and sculptures to describe the Italian contribution to the global cultural heritage.
A few days later, at the Clube do Choro in Brasilia, “Crossing Quartet”, the jazz ensemble leb by Sardinian saxophone player Enzo Favata, played previously unpublished pieces that combine contemporary jazz, electronic music, world music and rock.
