With the 100th Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2023, The Frecce Tricolori officially kick off the opera season to a global audience, and the Italian Air Force Band performs at the opening of the second evening.
On the occasion of the Première that kicked off the 100th Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2023, on Thursday 16 June, the National Acrobatic Patrol carried out a spectacular flypast of the Scaliger Amphitheatre, one day ahead of “the’Homage to the opera”provided by The Italian Air Force Band, who performed on the prestigious Arena stage on Friday 17 June, before the staging of Verdi's masterpiece and the Arena Festival itself, Aida.
Two expressions of great Italian excellence moved the large audience packed into the stands and parterre of the Arena, to bear witness to the Armed Force's closeness, which this year celebrates the Centenary of its birth, to the highly prestigious musical institution, coinciding with the same anniversary.
Live from Maestro Major Pantaleo Leonfranco Cammarano, The Band has graced the stage of the world's largest and most famous open-air theatre, where, since 1913, the history of *bel canto* and Italian melodrama has passed, and which over the years has become a cultural reference point for our country worldwide.
“A token of gratitude – commented the Superintendent of the Arena Foundation Cecilia Gasdia – for the presence of the Air Force on the occasion of this exciting and highly attended Premiere, and which the Band reciprocated with a short programme of opera arrangements. The “Galop” from the overture of Guglielmo Tell and “A March for the Sultan” by Rossini with “Va, pensiero” from Verdi's Nabucco – he continued – these were the tunes that the musicians offered to the sold-out arena with a certain emotion.
“Every musician's ambition is to be able to perform in the temples of classical music and, undoubtedly, the Arena di Verona is one of them. Thanks to the Italian Air Force, which has allowed me to lead its musical ensemble for the past few months, we have the privilege of being able to convey the image of the Blue Force through music in its centenary year, in contexts that are both of the highest institutional profile and widely popular.“these are the words of the Maestro Cammarano.
In the past week, the Band also held a concert at the Scarlatti Auditorium in Naples to celebrate another important anniversary for Italian television: the 60 years of life of Rai Production Centre of Naples. For the occasion, the Chief of the General Staff of the Air Squad, Luca Goretti, Unable to attend the event, he spoke via video link and wished to greet the audience, thanking Rai, the Air Force Band, and all Italians. “who support and sustain us every day of this glorious Centenary of our Armed Force“.
2023 sees the Italian Air Force Band’s calendar packed with engagements. A season that began with an appearance on the stage of the’Ariston and that, in addition to Rai in Naples and the Arena in Verona, it will reach many Italian cities: 24 June Florence, 28 June Latina, 6 July Scurcola Marsicana, 29 July Sabaudia, 3 August Martina Franca, 26 August Livorno, 8 September Lucca, 10 September Minturno, 15 September Macerata, 17 September Turin, 30 September Camerota, 12 October Palermo.
The Italian Air Force Band It was established by ministerial decree on 1st July 1937. Since then, its headquarters have been located at the Command of the II Air Force Region in Rome. The Band is comprised of professionals who have graduated from Italian conservatories. All personnel within the Band are admitted through public competition and are employed on a permanent basis.
The repertoire includes a great many pieces by composers ranging from the 17th century to the present day, including: Bach, Rossini, Verdi, Bellini, Wagner, Gershwin, Hindemith, and Schoenberg. In addition to concerts, the Band carries out its institutional duties, which can be summarised as follows: concerts, tours, ceremonial duties at the Quirinal Palace, alternating with other military bands, and participation in the most significant ceremonies of the Armed Force.
