There was a bit of Malta at the Arena di Verona at the end of last month as the curtain fell on the last opera-related event at the most prestigious summer venue in Italy.

L’opera è… la grande bellezza saw the launch of two young Maltese companies on one of Italy’s most important opera stages.

The concert was produced by Italian philanthropic entity Arts for Life in collaboration with Ars Cantandi, a trade name of local company Piemmegi Ltd, which was also responsible for artistic consultancy throughout the project. Mad About Video was trusted with the entire multimedia project that formed the backbone of the scenic backdrop.

L’opera è… la grande bellezza saw the return on a prestigious stage of three opera artistes of worldwide fame. Soprano Maria Guleghina, tenor José Cura and baritone Carlo Guelfi were flanked by a 180-strong choir and a children’s choir, in a concert that brought together arias and choral excerpts of some of the better known and much-loved Italian operas – from Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth, La Traviata, Nabucco and Otello to Puccini’s Tosca and Turandot, from Giordano’s Andrea Chènier to Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci.

Soprano Maria Guleghina, tenor Josè Cura and baritone Carlo Guelfi. Photo: Roberto Ricci

The Orchestra Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini of Parma was under the direction of Massimo Zanetti.

Michele Mirabella, of Rai television fame, hosted the event. The gala evening, directed by Enrico Stinchelli, also included the participation of dancers from Modulo Project.

Patrons ended up in a standing ovation as the surprise of the evening was unveiled: the Fanfara of the Rome Carabinieri marched into the arena and then on to the stage to play Aida’s popular triumphal march. The Arma dei Carabinieri is this year commemorating the 200th anniversary since its foundation.

Next year, Arts for Life, Ars Cantandi and Mad About Video will again take part in a number of cultural activities which will be staged in Italy.