Dazzling concert showcases Italy’s opera tradition at Expo 2020

Diverse group of young musicians mark country’s national day celebrations

Donato Renzetti, Italy’s acclaimed conductors, leads the Accademia Teatro alla Scala orchestra at the Millennium amphitheatre at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

Young musicians and opera singers from Italy celebrate the country’s renowned musical heritage in a spectacular performance to mark the country’s Expo 2020 national day. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

Singers had the audience on their feet with performances steeped in the Italian lyric tradition. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

Diversity is key and talented musicians from across the world are trained at the institution also called the La Scala Academy. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

The concert pulled together excerpts from the greatest Italian operas. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

The artistes prepare ahead of the concert. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

The performances were given a rousing standing ovation. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

Donato Renzetti, the conductor in the centre, is flanked by singers Azer Zada, Calrissa Costanza, Martina Serra and Ettore Chi Hoon Lee. Photo: Accademia Teatro alla Scala

The Italian carabinieri band at the Al Wasl Plaza during the Italian Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio says Expo 2020 Dubai is a global hub that will unlock opportunities for the full resumption of international tourism and investment activity. AFP

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio makes a point about the 3D printed replica of Michelangelo’s David statue at the Italian Expo pavilion. AFP

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak at the Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

The Italian carabinieri band performs in the massive Al Wasl Plaza dome at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio with Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020, near the Italian pavilion. AFP

Young musicians and opera singers from Italy celebrated the country’s renowned musical heritage in a spectacular performance to mark the country’s Expo 2020 national day on Wednesday.

The orchestra of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala was led by one of Italy’s acclaimed conductors Donato Renzetti at the Millennium amphitheatre at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Young and diverse talents from the institution, also called the La Scala Academy, were selected to perform before an audience that included senior officials.

Italy celebrated its national day with visits from Luigi Di Maio, the country's minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation and several business meetings in its pavilion at Expo.

Expo 2020 Dubai has drawn people from around the world, with more than 4.1 million visits registered since the opening in October.

The Italian concert pulled together excerpts from the greatest Italian operas.

The average age of the musicians is 20 and they come from varied backgrounds in Italy and overseas.

Performing arias and ensemble pieces steeped in the Italian lyric tradition were Italian soprano Clarissa Costanzo, tenor Azer Zada from Azerbaijan, baritone Ettore Chi Hoon Lee and violinist Da Won Ghang both from South Korea.

The young musicians have already established a name for themselves and delivered performances in operatic repertoire across the world.

Leading young people from the academy was a homecoming for Mr Renzetti, who began his career as a percussionist at La Scala when he was a teenager.

“Working with young people is a joy for me and provides me with satisfaction that money can’t buy,” he said.

“Meeting the young people from the Accademia Teatro alla Scala was an intense moment. The quality of the work we have been doing together in the last few days fills me with confidence for the future.”

The young artistes are regarded as ambassadors to promote music and culture across the world including at the Expo in Dubai.

The Bracco Foundation that supports the academy with scholarships and training placements said it was keen to bring the musicians to the world’s fair.

“We decided to bring La Scala orchestra to Expo 2020 Dubai to put these young talents up on a prestigious international stage,” said Diana Bracco, president of the Bracco Foundation.

Support for the arts was key as the foundation saw “the value of culture as an educational tool that can improve quality of life and strengthen social cohesion.”

The Expo will run until the end of March in Dubai with daily events, cultural shows, conferences and musical events.