Yesterday evening, the Embassy of Italy in Canada organized the opera recital “Figaro!” A night dedicated to Rossini’s “Belcanto” , in collaboration with the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, one of the most prestigious opera festivals in the world dedicated to Gioachino Rossini, celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. The concert was an opportunity to celebrate the designation of Pesaro as 2024 Italian Capital of Culture, as well as the enlistment of the “Art of Italian opera singing” as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Rebecca Scano, Head of Cultural Affairs at the Italian Embassy, described Rossini’s genius and the tradition of Italian “belcanto”, recalling how Italy can be considered the “cradle” of opera. She then emphasized the ability of music to celebrate human relationships and diversity, offering the audience an experience that is both personal and collective. Afterwards, the Director General of the Rossini Opera Festival, Mr. Cristian Della Chiara, highlighted the main activities organized this year by the Festival, as well as those planned for 2025, focusing on the key role played by the city of Pesaro as Italian Capital of Culture.
Before an audience of over 800 people, including Authorities, representatives of Canada’s cultural, academic, scientific and commercial institutions, diplomatic corps, members of the Italian community in Ottawa and lovers of Italian music and culture, the artists – mezzo-soprano Marta Pluda, baritone Giuseppe De Luca and pianist Alessandro Uva – performed several arias from Gioachino Rossini’s major operas.
The event, which was warmly applauded by the numerous guests, followed another successful opera recital organized last October by the Embassy in collaboration with the Puccini Festival of Torre del Lago, for Puccini’s centenary.
