The Consulate of Italy and State Opera South Australia are pleased to announce the resounding success of the concert “Passionate Puccini: Lovers, Butterflies and Sleepless Nights”, held yesterday afternoon at Ukaria Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills. The event, which commemorated the centenary of the great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s passing, celebrated his extraordinary legacy through a selection of some of his most beloved works.
The captivating performance featured tenor Paul O’Neill and soprano Cathy-Di Zhang, accompanied at the piano by the exceptional Anthony Hunt, Head of Music of State Opera. Their brilliant rendition paid homage to the emotional depth, melodic beauty, and dramatic intensity of Puccini’s operas, offering a powerful experience for all in attendance.
The Consul of Italy, Ernesto Pianelli, was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including the Governor of South Australia, H.E. Frances Adamson AC, and Ms Luisa Greco, Chair of the Multicultural Affairs Commission.
The Consulate of Italy extends heartfelt gratitude to all those who attended the event, celebrating the legacy of one of Italy’s greatest operatic composers and the universal power of Italian lyrical song, which has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
This remarkable event was made possible through funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as part of its cultural promotion initiatives. Cultural diplomacy plays a key role in Italy’s foreign policy and serves as one of the country’s primary tools for international outreach and engagement!
