Gucci's $500,000 donation for Florence concert hall sparks hugs and tears at Expo 2020

Marco Bizzarri, Gucci’s chief executive, makes impromptu decision to contribute to new Italian auditorium

Dario Nardella, mayor of Florence with Marco Bizzarri, president of Gucci, Zubin Mehta, a orchestra maestro and Alexander Pereira, head of a famous Florence opera house after an emotionally-charged conference at Expo 2020 Dubai where the group reached full funding for a new concert hall in the Italian city.

Alexander Pereira, superintendent of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the main opera venue in Florence, appeals to an audience at the Italian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and speaks of being short of $2million for a new concert hall. This prompted rapid-fire donations that will allow for a grand opening in December

Alexander Pereira, superintendent of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the main opera venue in Florence, talks of a new auditorium in the Italian city that was short of a $2million target. The group managed to secure the funds during a conference at the Italian pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai.

Marco Bizzarri, president of Gucci hugs Alexander Pereira, head of a famous opera house in Florence, after the luxury brand gifted $500,000 toward the opening of a new concert hall.

Marco Bizzarri, president of Gucci, during a conference with top Italian business and government officials at the Italian pavilion, Expo 2020, Dubai

Dario Nardella, mayor of Florence, at a conference about the beauty of Florence at the Italian pavilion at Expo 2020, Dubai

Delegates at a conference about the opportunities in Florence, Italy and an announcement to set up a digital centre to protect art in war torn zones at the Italian pavilion, Expo 2020, Dubai

Marco Bizzarri, president of Gucci, speaks to the media, following a donation by the luxury brand of $500,000 for a concert hall in Florence.

Marco Bizzarri, president of Gucci, reacts to a question at the Italian pavilion, Expo 2020, Dubai

Paolo Glisenti, commissioner of the Italian pavilion, makes a point at a conference at the Italian pavilion, Expo 2020, Dubai

Dario Nardella, mayor of Florence, with a photo showing the facade of the Italian pavilion at Expo 2020, Dubai

An appeal by a renowned Italian orchestra institution for funds at an Expo 2020 Dubai event ended with officials weeping with joy and jumping to the stage after Gucci’s chief made a substantial contribution.

It all started when Alexander Pereira, superintendent of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the main opera venue in Florence, said they were short of $2 million required for a new concert hall and that a woman in Italy had recently given them $500,000.

Minutes later Marco Bizzari, Gucci’s president and chief executive, said he would match the donation, when it was his turn to speak at the conference in the Italian pavilion on Sunday.

As the audience clapped, Mr Pereira wiped away tears and Dario Nardella, Florence’s mayor, leapt on to the stage to give the Gucci chief a hug.

Zubin Mehta, an internationally renowned orchestra conductor, stood up from his wheelchair and walked to the podium to express his thanks.

Mr Bizzari spoke of the bond with the city and said it was vital to support the community in Florence that was the source of “new ideas, initiatives and imagination.”

Covid-19 has hit the performing arts and the tourist industry hard with regions and nations shutting down during the pandemic.

The Gucci chief said he was happy to back the much-loved institution particularly in a tourist haven like Florence even as “people were coming out of a period of Covid."

“So very, very shortly after the request of Mr Pereira, I asked my team to match the donation,” Mr Bizzari said.

Florence is the birth city of the luxury brand that celebrates 100 years in 2021.

Mr Pereira, who is in charge of the Florence music hall, said securing the funding far away from home at a conference in Dubai took him by surprise .

“My tears were real ones,” he told The National.

“This concert hall is really awaited. The theatre has a main opera house but there was never a concert hall in Florence. With this, Florence gets its first concert hall in history.”

Following the Gucci contribution, other arts lovers and businessmen at the Expo venue stepped in to make contributions and Mr Pereira said the group reached its $2 million target for the 1,200-seater hall.

“Now I can start really strong with the concert hall, with great artists, great programmes and also beautiful furnishings,” he said.

Plans for a grand opening for the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino are now on track for December 21 when Italy’s President will attend a concert by orchestra conductor Mr Mehta, who has also performed at the Expo.