Grand finale for the Pietra Theatre Lyric Festivalwhich will be divided into two consecutive evenings of the highest level, both set up at the Roman Theatre of Catania starting at 9pm.
On Saturday 21 September the millenary site will host Pietro Mascagni’s veristic masterpiece “Rustic Chivalry”while Sunday 22nd September will be the turn of the great German soprano Diana Damraufor the first time in Sicily, who will perform in a recital focused on bel canto. After repeated, triumphant sold outs recorded in exactly two months of programming, the Festival, promoted and organized by the prestigious Coro Lirico Siciliano, is thus preparing to conclude the 2024 edition, dedicated to wonder, in the vital baroque heart of the Etna capital, the Greek-Roman Theater, with an unmissable double event.
September 21st will be a true celebration of music, of the awakening of Sicilianness and belonging, thanks to an evening event: for the first time, the Mascagnano jewel taken from Giovanni Verga’s masterpiece will be performed inside the “Teatro nero” which begins to breathe art and magnificence again, returning to establish itself as a unique and inclusive “cavea” for the cultural life of the city of Catania. The cast will feature names of international importance, among which Anna Maria Chiuri (Santuzza) stands out, one of the most sought-after and appreciated mezzo-sopranos in the world in the Italian, German and French repertoire, a regular guest in the major Italian and European opera houses.
Among the other names of great fame, the tenor Davide Piaggio (Turiddu), the baritone Carlos Almaguer (compare Alfio) and the mezzosopranos Antonella Arena and Leonora Ilieva. On stage two artistic groups of absolute prestige: the Coro Lirico Siciliano and the Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria, directed by Filippo Arlia, former principal musical director of the Festival Lirico dei Teatri di Pietra. The evening will be dedicated to the memory of Nino Strano, a figure from Catania inextricably linked to art and culture.
The exceptional closing concert of the Festival on September 22nd will also be sumptuous and unique, with the prima donna Diana Damrau, making her absolute debut on the island’s stages. A prodigious voice, a legendary artist, unparalleled virtuosity and versatility for an evening event to be imprinted in the musical history of Southern Italy, which will offer pages of rare beauty on the occasion of a grand gala dedicated to Italian bel canto, a heritage of humanity. On this occasion, the Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria, the Festival’s resident ensemble, and the Coro Lirico Siciliano will be led by the expert baton of Pavel Baleff, one of the most internationally appreciated directors. The program includes a heartfelt tribute to the “Etna Swan” with excerpts from Norma, La Sonnambula, Capuleti e Montecchi and also Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, Rossini, Leoncavallo.
Now in its sixth edition, also for 2024 The Pietra Theatre Lyric Festival confirms itself as a program of triumphs and recordshaving continuously sold out its various stages and establishing itself as an event of international importance, on the rise among the most acclaimed reference seasons on the Island and in the Mediterranean.