The Italian Air Force Music Band performed at the Ariston Theatre in Sanremo at the start of the final evening of the Festival, playing the National Anthem. The Chief of Staff was present at the event. Air Force Corps General Luca Goretti, who announced the main events of the Centenary.
Tremendous emotion when the Maestro, Major Pantaleo Leonfranco Cammarano, director of the Italian Air Force Band, gave the 'attack” for the Anthem to his musicians. The entire audience and the very large crowd present rose to their feet to sing the”Hymn of Mameli. Upon completion of the performance, Amadeus invited on stage the Chief of Staff General Luca Goretti which illustrated the main events for 2023, the centenary year of the foundation of the Italian Air Force
“”I would like to thank the Festival’s artistic directors and the Minister of Defence for offering the Italian Air Force Band this wonderful opportunity,”, General Goretti's first words, after which he continued by outlining the main activities in which all Italians can participate to jointly celebrate the Centenary: “On our birthday, 28 March, I invite you all to Piazza del Popolo in Rome. Then, on 16, 17 and 18 June, we’ll be in Pratica di Mare, amongst aircraft from yesterday and today, for a major air show.”.
The Frecce Tricolori were a must-see, our pride and joy, which will fly over all the regional capitals to thank all the citizens who have made our Armed Forces and our great Defence”.
General Goretti then addressed the young people, the minds smart and innovative, highlighting the importance of having them in the Azzurri team, a technologically advanced Armed Force that looks to the digital future while keeping its roots firmly in its glorious past.
He then highlighted the role of the Armed Forces and the entire Ministry of Defence, which daily, with its resources and professionalism, operates in service and in protection of the country, as during the pandemic, and is committed to the defence and aid of all populations, as in the international crisis in Ukraine and in the rescue operations in Syria and Turkey devastated by the recent earthquake.
“In this centenary year, representing the Italian Air Force on the Ariston stage, by performing the National Anthem and the Armed Forces” Regimental March, was a deeply moving experience and a source of great satisfaction for a military band that has been performing for over 85 years, with more than 100 musicians, in Italy and around the world” the words of the Maestro, Major Pantaleo Leonfranco Cammarano, director of the Musical Band.
There will be a multitude of events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Air Force, on March 28th in Piazza del Popolo in Rome, followed by the Aerospace Power Conference at the “La Nuvola” Congress Centre in Rome (May 12th-13th), and an air show in Pratica di Mare (June 16th, 17th, 18th).
In addition to these, there will be travelling exhibitions, the opening of the refurbished AM Historical Museum and many other events across the region. The National Aerobatic Team will also be taking part, flying over all the regional capitals as a gesture of thanks to the whole of Italy.
At the same time, a packed concert schedule for the Air Force Band, which throughout 2023 will visit some of the most important venues of Italian and international musical tradition, such as the Arena di Verona on 16 June, the Festival della Valle d’Itria on 3 August, the Mascagni Festival in Livorno on 27 August, and the Teatro San Carlo in Naples on 21 September.
The full programme for the centenary is available here: https://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/home/media-e-comunicazione/il-centenario-1923-2023/
