On 21st February 2026, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai hosted a concert by conductor Carlo Rizzi at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI).
Carlo Rizzi, a regular guest conductor at Teatro alla Scala in Milan and recently featured at the Metropolitan Opera in New York with Madama Butterfly, conducted in Mumbai a programme paying tribute to the rich Italian musical tradition. The repertoire included works by renowned Italian composers such as Donizetti, Tosti, Cardillo, Wagner, Beethoven, offering the audience a journey through some of the most celebrated pages of Italian and European classical music. These compositions, representative of Italy’s extraordinary musical heritage, captivated the audience and transported listeners through the evocative power of classical music to distant places and times.
The evening was enriched by the presence of the Italian tenor of international fame, Davide Giusti, who boasts experiences at prestigious international musical institutions, including the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, the Opéra Royal de Wallonie, the Teatro São Carlos in Lisbon, and the Polish National Opera in Warsaw. The singer offered an enthusiastic audience refined vocal interpretations of the compositions of Francesco Paolo Tosti and Salvatore Cardillo.
The evening, organised with the support of the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai and the Italian Institute of Culture, represented a remarkable moment of cultural dialogue, an occasion in which music – one of the most universal forms of expression – helped build bridges between countries, traditions, and historical eras. Through the works of great composers, passed down across centuries and generations, Carlo Rizzi contributed to this enduring musical legacy, enchanting the Mumbai audience with compositions Beethoven, Donizetti and Wagner.
Initiatives such as this highlight the important role played by cultural diplomacy in creating opportunities for dialogue and exchange between Italy and India, strengthening long-standing ties and opening new avenues for cooperation in the fields of music, arts, and creativity.
