On the Occasion of the 60Th Anniversary of the Republic of Italy

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Italy

The Embassy of Italy and the Ministry of Culture and Information of Vietnam

present

CAROSELLO ITALIANO

A ballet repertoire dedicated to the Italian culture

performed by

Balletto del Sud

Hanoi, Opera House, 2 June 2006

Ho Chi Minh City, Opera House, 5 June 2006

Hanoi

PRESS RELEASE

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Italy, the Italian Embassy and the Ministry of Culture and Information of Vietnam are pleased to present “Carosello italiano”, a ballet show inspirited by the Italian great tradition of opera and melodrama, created for this special occasion by renowned Italian choreographer Fredy Franzutti. Franzutti is the art director of the “Balletto del Sud”, one of the most innovative and promising dance companies in the Italian contemporary danceindustry. “Carosello italiano” will will be staged on 2 June at Hanoi Opera House and on 5 June at Ho Chi Minh City Opera House to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ItalianRepublic, which in fact was born on 2 June 1946,following an institutional referendum where voters were invited to choose between monarchy and republic. Since then, 2 June has become the Italian National Day.

The finest arias from the Italian opera and melodrama, linked to the great names of Verdi, Ponchielli, Mascagni and Paesiello, will be the protagonists of this exceptional show entirely dedicated to Italian culture, inspired by the process of national unification and the spirit of Italian “Risorgimento” that found in melodrama one of its highest artistic expressions. National identity fuses with regional traditions in “Carosello italiano”, a show in which Italian music will triumph while offering a touch of its variety and richness.

The “Balletto del Sud” is an emerging star of Italian ballet, which has linked its success to excellent productions (from “Sleeping Beauty” to “The Nutcracker”, from “One thousand and one nights” to “Mozart, European prodigy”) and to its strong, young and dynamic imprint. Directed by extraordinary Fredy Franzutti, the “Balletto del Sud” has performed in prestigious European festivals, collaborated with orchestras, composers, musicians and directors, who have contributed to win esteem, confidence and love from wide public and professional critics. Being one of the most famous Italian choreographers, Franzutti has been guest of honour in many big European theatres and has created choreographies and performances for important events like “New Year Concert 2004” at Theatre La Fenice in Venice, “National Day 2003” and “A voice for Father Pio 2004”. Acclaimed by critics - “Balletto del Sud, a talented company and obviously superior to other young dance companies of our country” (Vittoria Ottolenghi, the “Balletto Oggi”), “Balletto del Sud” is a rare group that successfully combines artistic capacity and entrepreneurial skills” (The “Art’è Bologna”), “I have found in Italy the magic of great ballet thanks to this reputable company of Salento” (Fanny Winter, The “Diogene”) – the “Balletto del Sud” combines tradition and innovation with a classic repertoire reinterpreted in a modernized version by Fredy Franzutti.

Annalisa Bardo, Elena Barsotti, Melania Chionna, Juliana Sanvincente, Annalisa Tinessa, Johanna Waldorf, Gianluca Battaglia, Daniele Chiodo, Roberto Costa, Luca Panella, Toni Pisasale, Tonova Krastanova and Francesco Sorrentino will dance beautiful choreographies created by Franzutti on the music notes played by world-widerenowned pianist, Maestro Francesco Libetta – honour guest of “Carosello italiano” – who is considered by international critics to be “the best representative of modern taste”, “the most talented musician of his generation”, “the greatest virtuoso in the world”. On the backdrop the Italian scenographer Francesco Palma has created and painted brilliant scenes inspired by Italian culture and history, appropriately realized for “Carosello italiano”. The dancers will wear sumptuous custumes made by Italian professional theatre custome designers.

The Embassy of Italy would like to thank Fredy Franzutti, the “Balletto del Sud”, Francesco Libetta and Francesco Palma for creating and presenting the ballet show “Carosello italiano”in Vietnam; the Province of Lecce and Region of Puglia, who have given their patronage and contributed with their fundamental support to the organisation of the event. A special thank goes to the Ministry of Culture and Information and its Performing Arts Agency for their precious collaboration.

“Carosello italiano” is the outcome of the fruitful cooperation among Italian partners. Together with the Embassy, the Region of Puglia and the Province of Lecce, Piaggio, MTS Ariston, Technip Italia, Asco Travel in Saigon and Hotel Sofitel Metropole Hanoi are the companions of this adventure and sponsors of this special initiative. We would like to take this opportunity to convey our best wishes to Vespa Piaggio, which is, like the ItalianRepublic, 60 years old. In fact, in the spring of 1946, the first 15 samples of Vespa were launched on the market from Pontedera factory.

Hanoi, 24 May 2006