One hundred years after Giacomo Puccini’s death, Mumbai paid homage to the celebrated composer on 29 November at the historic Royal Opera House, India’s oldest opera house. The event, an opera gala, was organised by the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute of Mumbai, in collaboration with the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, Furtados, Avid Learning and the Royal Opera House itself, as part of the Indian leg of the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour.
Thanks to the support of the National Committee for Puccini Celebrations, internationally renowned artists such as soprano Maria Pia Piscitelli, tenor Renzo Zulian and baritone Pier Luigi Dilengite, accompanied on the piano by Linda Di Carlo, brought the Italian composer’s famous arias to the stage, enchanting the local audience.
The evening was opened by the Italian Ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli, who welcomed an exceptional audience. Among those present were a delegation from the Italian Ministry of Defence and the crew of the ship Amerigo Vespucci, including Frigate Captain Tommaso Faraldo, Admiral Antonio Natale, Colonel Elio Babbo, and Defence and Services CEO Luca Andreoli, as well as numerous Indian dignitaries.
The Consul General of Italy in Mumbai, Walter Ferrara, commented on the evening: ‘On the occasion of the centenary of Giacomo Puccini’s death, it was an honour to be able to present his most famous arias in Mumbai as part of the Indian leg of the Amerigo Vespucci – Villaggio Italia World Tour. Nave Amerigo Vespucci is a true work of art that has represented the excellence of our country for almost one hundred years’.
‘The success and joy of this evening is part of a fertile path of collaborations with Indian cultural institutions and testifies to the great interest and affection with which the local public looks at Italy and our cultural tradition,’ explained the Director of the Institute of Culture, Francesca Amendola.
