This gala concert is part of the global commemoration marking the century since the death of Giacomo Puccini, one of the most influential composers of Italian opera. As announced, Puccini’s works will take centre stage in the repertoires of many opera houses around the world this year.
Last night, in the celebratory atmosphere of a packed hall at the Kolarac Endowment, the UNICREDIT BANK gala concert was held in honour of the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s death, organised by the agency Fabrika. This spectacular concert brought together prominent artists from the world of opera music and reminded the audience of the timeless artistic value of Puccini’s works.
Under the baton of Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli, the principal guest conductor of the Puccini Festival Foundation in Torre del Lago, and accompanied by the exceptional symphony orchestra of the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence “Stanislav Binički”, alongside top soloists, the most famous arias and symphonic pieces of this renowned composer were performed. At the end, conductor Sipari expressed his gratitude to the audience with an emotional speech, highlighting that he began his career in Belgrade and thanking his long-time friends Vesna Mandić and Milan Kovačević from Fabrika for their generous support.
The concert was further enhanced by the performances of outstanding soloists: Donata d’Annunzio Lombardi, the renowned Italian soprano and one of the leading interpreters of Puccini’s heroines; Amadi Lagha, a tenor of French-Tunisian descent, who proved last night why music experts consider him the world’s top interpreter of the aria “Nessun Dorma” at present; and Sanja Kerkez, soprano and principal of the National Theatre Opera in Belgrade. Their performances brought the audience at Kolarac Endowment to their feet with ovations, and the emotions they conveyed will leave a lasting impression on everyone present, making this concert undoubtedly “an evening to remember”.
When all the soloists performed the aria “Nessun Dorma” together at the end, “the hall exploded with standing ovations the likes of which have not been seen before.”
Main Sponsor: UniCredit Bank
Patrons: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Italian Embassy in Belgrade, and the Italian Institute of Culture
Sponsors: Hotel Prezident Palace Belgrade, Frikom, and Newport Belgrade