A Symphonic Gala Concert in Honor of Eldar Mansurov Held in Rome

On May 28, 2025, Azerbaijan’s Independence Day was celebrated with a grand gala concert at Rome’s prestigious Auditorium Conciliazione, dedicated to the works of renowned Azerbaijani composer and People’s Artist Eldar Mansurov. Organized with the support of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy, the event served as a cultural bridge between the two nations.

The evening opened with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Italy, followed by welcoming speeches from prominent figures including Manuela Traldi, Azerbaijani Ambassador Rashad Aslanov, Marco Villa of Technip Energies Italy, and Italian Minister Adolfo Urso. All highlighted the role of cultural dialogue in fostering bilateral relations.

The centerpiece of the evening featured eleven symphonic works from Mansurov’s “Symphonic Gravures” cycle, performed by the Symphony Orchestra of Molise under the baton of maestro Fuad Ibrahimov. Italian soprano Alessia Panza added emotional depth with her renditions of Vocalise and Chahargah. The program, blending Eastern melodies with European symphonic tradition, included pieces such as Holiday Overture, Sad Theme, Houmayun, and Overture of Oilers.

This Rome concert marked the third installment of the Symphonic Gravures project, following its 2023 premiere in Baku and a 2024 performance in Budapest. It symbolized both a continuation and an expansion of the project, reinforcing music’s power to transcend cultural boundaries.

The evening concluded with a standing ovation, affirming the concert’s role as both an artistic triumph and a milestone in Azerbaijan-Italy cultural relations.