Rome Philharmonic Orchestra performs music from Star Wars...

Review by Professor Anna Maria Giacalone, President of A.MA.RE

"Fundraising events don’t get much more successful than this. A.MA.RE. (a local kidney disease charity) presented to a large audience the most striking show it ever organized since its inception 16 years ago.  Under the direction of M. Ezio Monti, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Rome performed for more than two hours the original music composed by John Williams for the George Lucas’ six episodes saga.

A host of local musicians took part in the event, too.  The choirs Marietta Alboni, directed by M. Marcello Marini, and A. M. Abbatini, directed by M. Alessandro Bianconi, as well as pianist Stefano Rossi, all joined the Philharmonic Orchestra of Rome to make up a total of more than 120 artists contemporaneously on stage.  In addition, the Rome-based Jedi Outcasts Fan Club delivered an exciting side-show that turned the audience ecstatic. The theatre was fully sold out as it had not happened in a long time.

The two encores, The Imperial March and The Duel of the Fates, set the house on fire with every member of the audience jumping on their seats and clapping rhythmically to the enthusiastic direction of M. Monti.

Thanks to the unwavering support of the Mayor, the City Council and a host of local sponsors, the event proved a huge success on the financial side, too. The A.MA.RE. Association used all proceeds to purchase the “Site Rite 5,” an ultrasounds system for central vein catheters that is to be donated to the Hospital of Cittá di Castello."

INFO PAGE (INCLUDES PICTURES):

http://www.orchestrafilarmonicadiroma.org/concert_starwars_october2008.htm