Uniti per Verdi

For me and for most Italians, Verdi’s Villa in Sant’Agata is more than a home and more than a museum. It is a sanctuary, full of mementos, of art, and of Italian political and social history. Because of the well-known family situation, since 31st October this year the villa has been closed to the public and the building put up for auction. I have given voice to the feelings of the artists who want the villa to be a part of the heritage of all Italians, to be preserved, treasured and accessible to everyone. We want the State and other institutions that are involved in any way to know that we will not be silent until a positive outcome has been reached, and we want everyone to know that we will continue to put our ideas into action to support this cause. That is why we have created a virtual gathering of an audience who love Verdi and consider him to be one of the fathers of the nation.

On 21st November we performed in the Gala entitled Uniti per Verdi at the Teatro Lirico di Milano, thanks to the support and the precious contribution of the Società del Quartetto di Milano and, in particular, of its President Ilaria Borletti Buitoni. There were … of us singing, but there could have been one hundred of us, such was the support given publicly by colleagues who were unable to take part due to engagements at theatres elsewhere. Along with conductor Riccardo Frizza, who eagerly seized on my idea and also involved his colleagues Michele Gamba and Sesto Quatrini in the project, I would like to thank Paolo Mandelli of the OFI, who dealt with all the organization and the “call to arms” of members of other major Italian orchestras, creating an ensemble that could give full expression to the music. None of us received a fee and thanks to the free live stream on the Corriere della Sera website, an incredible 300,000 viewers were able to attend the Gala.

My colleagues and I were overwhelmed by a tide of warmth, pride and devotion to Verdi. We gave a lot but we received even more back, including confirmation of a quality that appeared almost to have been lost: the generosity of artists and audience in the opera world, who know when to give with their hearts.

Our and your message rang out loud and clear to those who needed to hear it. And now? We will remain vigilant, and continue with our requests and our pressure, until the question of Villa Sant’Agata reaches a positive outcome.