Gian Menotti - Apocalypse

It was on 14 june 2022

Finally, a Lombard Festival is born to celebrate one of the most important opera composers of the last century, Gian Carlo Menotti, in the provincial capital that gave him his birth. Originally from Cadegliano Viconago (Varese), Menotti is a classic example of nemo propheta in his homeland: much loved in the United States, famous all over the world, but still little performed in Italy. The Varese Estense Festival, now in its fifth edition, will change its face this year, dedicating a particular focus to the Varese composer.

Conceived by Serena Nardi, who also takes care of the artistic direction, the VEF this year sees the entry into the organizational team of the Canova Chamber Orchestra and its director and founder Enrico Saverio Pagano, who will also be entrusted with the direction of the two new opera productions: Cosi fan tutti by Mozart and Il Telefono / La medium by Menotti. Alongside the artists already mentioned, some of the most important performers on the international scene: mezzo-soprano Manuela Custer (already acclaimed protagonist of La medium in 2021 in numerous Italian theaters, who will return to play the role of the enigmatic Madame Flora also in Varese), the pianist Gloria Campaner, the violinist Gennaro Cardaropoli, as well as young emerging talents from the Italian opera scene involved in the two productions. In addition to the concerts and operas scheduled, there are also conferences with speakers of the caliber of Lidia Bramani and Fabio Vacchi, all in the heart of Varese between the Estensi Gardens and Villa Recalcati.

IMHO reasons why it is rarely performed in Italy are: the refusal of the avant-garde and some personal issues