by Marco Brunacci
PERUGIA – Go, in praise of maestro Carlo (Pagnotta, the Emperor of Umbriajazz). He hasn’t changed the DNA of his Festival over time, he hasn’t succumbed to youthful sirens, he hasn’t made it a parade of big sponsors, but the model has worked, even by changing political interlocutors. As people and as political tendencies.
Now that the results of the 50th anniversary edition are known, there is little to comment on.
Record-breaking 2023 budget, testimony to the incredulous that a great festival can be held by spending public money very well and making a surplus.
The declaration of the governor Tesei with the dutiful thanks to the maximal leader Carlo I (and only) Pagnotta, closed the celebrations with one hundred thousand euros and change still to be spent.
But the sign of extraordinary vitality lies in public funding well supported by sponsors and robust ticketing in an event which, in its venerable age, shows margins for further growth, in public interest and related tourism.
Bob Dylan also contributed to the seal of the exceptional 50th anniversary (cost 400 thousand euros, according to official sources).
But the balance obtained in the triumphal march of 2023 will also be decisive for 2024 which promises to be in balance, but this too out of the ordinary, with a Lenny Kravitz above 10,000 tickets sold, which already means one of the top concerts in the history of Uj.
It is obvious that for 2024 the Region’s contribution will decrease, probably below one million euros, but it will not be a problem. Pay attention to the accounts, the expansive line, the genius in action of Charles I as artistic director, will do the rest.
Umbrajazz’s DNA will not be renewed – as few thought it would be useful – but on the other hand the results are clear and then getting your hands on the genetics always risks problems.
We’ll see later, but much later at this point.
Long live Umbriajazz, vital, brilliant and balanced.
