By Jamal Shahid
ISLAMABAD: Italian embassy played host to an astonishing display of sensitive and expressive music. The Arie Del Mediterraneo concert at the National Art Gallery auditorium on Saturday night mesmerised the audience with traditional Italian melodies and stunning performance.
La donna è mobile from the Rigoletto opera by Giuseppe Verdi, Che gelida manina from the Boheme opera by Giacomo Puccini and Il brindisi , a masterpiece from the Traviata opera by Giuseppe Verdi Messa, and a dozen other compositions celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Italian state.
Marco Gilberti, the pianist, was breathtaking in speed and accuracy, as well as in delicately shaping music. After making the instrument roar, he would suddenly play some of the most delicate notes. He would pause, his hands would occasionally be perched high, the wrists bent and hands crossing over, silence and gestures intensified the anticipation. The crowd broke into loud applause after every performance.
In the wonderful pacing of Debussy, The Moonlight , Ravel or Water Games , and Non ti scordar di me, Don`t forget me, one of the most popular Italian songs, and E vui durmiti ancora , a popular Sicilian serenade love song, and the soulful Gerswin, Rapsody in Blue , the pianist would often cap joyous chords with sustained pedal overtones to allow the tunes to fade gradually. The pianist was accompanied by Rosolino Cardile with his slow singing.
A diplomat and a music lover described the compositions as “sunrises and sunsets”. His friend believed the music was mind cleanser.
Vincenzo Prati, Italian ambassador who welcomed his selected guests, both foreign dignitaries and locals to the concert, was a proud host, sharing with them the deep feelings and passion of performers.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/21/2011
