A little night of Italian magic

From the opening strains of Verdi’s Sicilian Overture – movingly portrayed by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Italian maestro Ruggero Barbieri – to the resounding finale of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme Paganini, brilliantly executed by internationally acclaimed pianist Cecile Licad, who was at her impeccable best, it was a night when the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines was filled to the rafters with Italian magic.

And aptly so, for the evening was dubbed "Una Notte d’ Incanto," a benefit concert for the Philippine Italian Association’s Endowment Fund which finances its extensive socio-civic programs.

Also making soaring contributions on stage were renowned baritone Nolyn Cabahug and outstanding Vienna-based soprano Camille Lopez. Together, the trio of Licad, Cabahug and Lopez – superbly supported by the PPO – gave a scintillating display of Filipino musicianship at its best.

Italian Ambassador Umberto Colesanti, honorary president of the PIA, and his charming wife Clara were among the distinguished guests from every sector of society who packed the CCP for the entertaining and stimulating Italian-inspired event.

Later, Ambassador Colesanti was heard to remark that he felt like he was spending an evening at a concert hall back home in Rome!

After the much-applauded concert – which saw Licad provide a thrilling additional bonus of three encores – the platinum, gold and silver sponsors for the night were acknowledged with an elegantly set supper where Italian and Asian cuisines fused in delightful harmony, and were washed down with exquisite Italian wine.

The dinner venue was CCP’s Silangan dining suite, which was breathtakingly transformed with hundreds of decorative lights, layered on a billowing satin canopy spread across the entire ceiling.