The proceeds from the evening in support of the charitable initiative “A Gift from the Sky for AIRC”
On Saturday, May 27, in the evocative setting of Largo “Porta Terra” in Otranto, She performed the Fanfare of the Air Force School Command/3rd Air Region. The evening, organized by the Otranto Air Detachment and the 136th Remote Radar Squadron, in collaboration with the Arma Aeronautica Association of Otranto and with the free sponsorship of the Otranto Municipality, takes place as part of the initiatives organized for the celebrations of the Centenary of the Air Force, which will continue throughout 2023.
At the event, chaired by Brigadier General Romeo Paternò, Deputy Commander of the Schools of the A.M./3rd Air Region of Bari, Military, religious and civil authorities from the territory participated, among them the New Mayor of the City of Otranto, Avv. Francesco Bruni.
The concert, open to the entire citizenry and masterfully directed by Master 1st Lieutenant Nicola Cotugno, He saw the participation of the soprano lyric singer Marilena Gaudio, He enhanced the songs with his voice, giving the audience moments of particular charm.
This concert for the city of Otranto, beyond the musical aspect, has given a sign of unity towards those in need and of solidarity. Through the charitable initiative “A Gift from the Sky for AIRC”, the proceeds from the evening will go to support’purchase of technologically advanced medical equipment and instruments.
The evening’s program thrilled the numerous guests with the performance of a varied musical itinerary, starting with Vincenzo Anselmi with “Flying”, by Giuseppe Verdi with arias taken from “Traviata” and “Alzira – Symphony”, Leroy Anderson with “Serenata”, Henry Mancini with “Moon River”Leonard Berstein with “West Side Story”To then move on to musical tributes: Ennio Morricone with “C’era una volta in America – La Califfa – C’era una volta il West – L’estasi dell’oro”, Luis Bacalov with “Il Postino”. There was no lack of Italian original music: Ernesto De Curtis and Eduardo Di Capua arranged by Maestro Nicola Cotugno, with “Non ti scordar di me”, “Torna a Surriento” and “O’ sole mio”. The concert concluded with the performance of the song “Il canto degli italiani” by M. Novaro, better known as the “Inno di Mameli”.
Outside the concert, General Paternò took the opportunity to thank all the authorities present, emphasizing that: “The event, organized in the context of the celebrations for the Centenary of the establishment of the Armed Forces, wanted to testify to the commitment of all the men in blue in serving the community, with a clear message…With the people, for the people, projected into the future, attentive to the present”.
In line with this thought, Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Centoze, Commander of the Otranto Air Detachment, in sharing his feelings with the Commander of the 136th Remote Radar Squadron, Captain Omar Napoli, and the President of the Otranto Section of the A.A.A., emphasized that “For over seventy years, the city of Otranto has had an indissoluble bond with the Air Force, which was previously home to the 32nd Radar Group, a unit responsible for national air defense, of which the Air Detachment and the 136th Remote Radar Squadron are today valuable custodians of traditions and history.”
The Fanfara of the Air Force Schools Command/3rd Air Region, based in Bari, was established in 1984 and is composed of 30 musicians, including Sergeants and Graduates, who have been carefully selected from the best musicians at music conservatories. The primary task of the Fanfara is to participate, through the performance of hymns and marches, in the various ceremonies held by the Armed Forces. The high artistic profile of its performances and the quality of the programs it offers have placed this ensemble among the most representative in the panorama of Italian brass bands.
