Friday 28th June marked the last event of the 2024 season before the summer break of Petruzzelli Theatre. For the occasion, the auditorium, symbol of rebirth for Bari after the fire of 1991, was the perfect stage for the project “Trip to Italian theaters“, promoted by Harper’s Bazaar Italia. This cultural initiative, which restarted from Turin in 2024, aims to support the artistic realities of the Bel Paese, true milestones of education, history and cultural diffusion in Italy.
The soirée at the theater was preceded by a welcome cocktail on the rooftop of the Good Hotela luxury accommodation in the heart of Bari. Guests were welcomed on the top floor terrace, featuring a swimming pool that made the atmosphere even more suggestive.
Just a few steps from the Bra Hotel, you will find the majestic Petruzzelli Theatre. As the evening is about to begin, guests enter the main hall. The structure is a masterpiece of eclectic architecture, mixing neoclassical and liberty elements. Decorated with finely crafted stucco, frescoes on the ceilings and gilded details, the hall not only inspires wonder and admiration, but also creates an atmosphere of expectation and anticipation for the upcoming show.
So, as the lights dim, a solemn silence descends on the room and the curtain opens.
With the Petruzzelli Theatre Orchestra conducted by Diego Matheuz and the exceptional soloist Francesco Siragusa (on double bass)goes on stage”Festive Openingin A major, op.96” Of Dmitri Shostakovich. This is a short, festive composition for a full orchestra with tripled wind sections. It is characterized by immediate melodies, rich harmonies and driving rhythm sections, with the brass adding intensity to the melodic lines of the winds.
Next, you run the “Divertimento concertante for double bass and orchestra” Of Nino Rotawhich explores all the expressive and tonal possibilities of the double bass. Rota combines immediate gestures with humor, vivacity and a touch of lyricism, typical of his music.
The show ends with “Romeo and Juliet, suite per orchestra” Of Sergei Prokofiev. This musical suite tells the psychology of the protagonists through 52 numbers, connected with a dramatic arc that reflects Prokofiev’s strong theatrical temperament.
The evening ended with long applause from the audience, testimony to the profound affection and gratitude towards a theater that continues to be a beacon of culture and beauty for the city of Bari and beyond. A fundamental role is played by Petruzzelli Theater Foundation, the fourteenth Italian opera company, among the youngest but among the most dynamic in the cultural panorama. The Foundation not only promotes classical music by contemporary composers, but also invests in the education of tomorrow’s audiences.
Harper’s Bazaar Italy, together with Crivelli – which for the third consecutive year confirms itself as the main partner of this journey – is committed to promoting art and music in our community, supporting the rich cultural heritage of Italian theatres, places where the perspectives and intentions of the communities that frequent them intertwine . Furthermore, the Casavola Jewelry contributed to making the evening in Bari special, making possible a memorable cultural experience for all those present.
