Matilde Montanari wins the 43rd edition of the Golden Peacock

43 wins^to edition of the Golden Peacock the eighteen year old from Forlì Matilde Montanari.

The winner was crowned by a jury made up of eleven industry expertschaired by Pope Guriolipianist, composer, arranger and artistic producer, former keyboard player of the historic band “Le Comete”, founded by Don Italo Cavagnini.

However, the votes from the audience in the roomexpressed again this year through live online voting.

Matilde Montanari was awarded the prestigious ceramic award from the Bottega d’Arte Gaeta in Faenzawhich continued the tradition of creating a unique work of art for the winner.

“I am very happy and grateful for this opportunity – declared Matilde – also because for me it is the last year, given that I have reached the age limit set by the regulations. It was a magical experience– he added – both for the climate that has been created between us, and because playing with a live band is not a given. I chose the song “Stand up” by Cynthia Erivo in a difficult moment for me. It’s a piece that teaches that you can always get back up.”

The winner, who attends the “Canova” musical high school in Forlì, is already known in the local and national music scene. In fact, he recently participated in the television program “Tu Sì que vales” together with the Forlì band Ranaway of which he is also a member Emanuele Tedaldiwinner of the Golden Peacock last edition and, together with twenty other very young people, is part of the“Santa Balera” orchestra which brought “Romagna Mia” to the Sanremo stage on its 70th anniversary.

The prestigious award was presented by the mayor of Faenza, Massimo Isolawhich he remembered the importance of the competition for the city And the very high number of participants.

“An event that continues to grow over the years – Isola recalled – and to offer many emotions. Precisely for this reason – he concluded – we willingly gave the Masini space to this initiative for all four evenings”.

Together with the mayor too Don Marco Ferriniwho took over from Don Italo at the helm of the organization and brought the affectionate greeting of the bishop of the diocese of Faenza-Modigliana, Monsignor Mario Toso.

“I am honored for this role – said Don Marco – because Don Italosaving young people from the streets and preventing many from stumbling onto wrong paths, it literally marked the history of the youth of this city. An incredible amount of history, passion, commitment and dedication has taken place on this stage. Our bishop also appreciates this event very much”.

The other winners

To win the category C was a victory instead the eighteen year old from Ravenna Angie Paganelli. Young and talented, she also attends the musical high school in Forlì and has participated in important musicals for over seven years. Precisely in these days she is on stage in Forlì with “The Marriage of Figaro”.

The small one Lucrezia Gagliani, only four years old, won category A, bringing ‘Montagne verdi’ to the stage of the Masini, the famous song by Marcella Bella and defeating the other competitors. Lucrezia in fact received a real standing ovation from the audience, not only for her performance, but also for her overwhelming sympathy.

The winner of the B1 category was Lorenzo Gubellini with the song “I have nothing” by Whitney Houston, particularly challenging for a boy of his age. “I absolutely didn’t expect the victory” he declared surprised at the end of the evening.

The winner of the B2 category was the fifteen-year-old Alice Mordenti from Faenza with the song “Dangerous woman” by Ariana Grande. Alice, who has been singing for six years, and attends linguistic high school, would like to enter an academy and sing in musicals.

The special prizes

During the evening they were also delivered the three special prizesassigned by the organizing committee and offered by the members of the Black Angels (the historic Faenza complex of the first Golden Peacock) Franco Ballardini and Pino Babini: the Simpatia Award (named after Maurizio “Re” Tramonti, historic star of the event), went to the duo composed of Grace Zattoni and Asia Scuro of Cat A, the Loyalty Award (named after Domenico Bendoni) went to Melody Amadei of Cat C and the Critics’ Award (named after Giancarlo Alboni) was awarded to Viola Liverani.

The schools

However, the schools category, class 4, won^to B of the Tolosano elementary school. The winning class was awarded Martina Lakescouncilor for School, Training and Sport.

“Singing alone is beautiful – recalled Martina Laghi – but doing it in a choir is even better, because it gives you an extra edge. Singing can offer a lot, not only to the performer, but also to the audience. It’s a gift you give to others”.

The head teacher of Tolosano received the award, Nicoletta Paterni who announced: “we will also participate next year with a greater number of classes. Let’s remember that we have a lot to learn from children.”

Among the teachers who accompanied the children also Maria Grazia Foschini which recalled the long preparation of these months. “We documented ourselves – he said – also studying the Masini theatre. We realized that singing together brought the class together a lot. The children demonstrated that they know how to work as a team.”

The Pavone D’Oro staff

It is now consolidated the format of the event: 100% live music thanks to the historian Golden Peacock band, led by maestro Gabriele Bertozzi (piano and keyboards) and composed of Gabriele Andrini (sax and acoustic guitar), Davide Montanari (acoustic and electric guitar), Filippo Foschini (drums), Federico Domenicali (bass). The Artistation musicians who accompanied the little ones were: Edoardo Berti (drums), Maria Ceroni (bass), Filippo Babini and Agata Malmerenda (guitar).

The band was joined by the children’s choir (directed by Daniela Peroni) and the Pavone D’Oro choir composed of some of the winners of past editions: Sara Zannoni, Clarissa Nicoletto and Giulia Toschi.

Hosting all the evenings were: Enrico Palli, Mattia Delpopolo and Simone Leonardi assisted by Sandro Bucci.

Media partner of the event Horizon srl, which filmed the final, which will soon be visible on YouTube, while the lighting and audio part was entrusted to Avl Solution.

The event is made possible thanks to Sponsored by the Municipality of Faenza and to the support of: Cooperativa Clai, BCC Credito Cooperativo Ravennate, Forlivese e Imolese, Bucci Industries, Gruppo Conad (Arena Supermarkets, Cofra SC, Filanda Distribuzione, Garibaldi Supermarket), Caffè Poli, Confartigianato Ravenna, Avis Faenza Odv, Zerocento Social Cooperative, Falc Industria agricultural machinery, Tipografia Faentina, Voglia di pizza..