OPERA ON ICE 2019
Opera on Ice conquers Rome
Rome, October 5, 2019 - A crescendo of emotions for the show performed in Piazza degli Scacchi. The Tsar Evgeni Plushenko and his five-year-old son enchanted the audience. A tribute to Luciano Pavarotti.
Standing ovation for Evgeni Plushenko and the entire cast during the closing number, “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot, performed by the great Maestro Luciano Pavarotti. Great success for the “Opera on Ice” show, staged at the Foro Italico in Rome, which for the occasion transformed its famous tennis court into an ice rink.
Two evenings of emotions and magic that captivated the audience, who held their breath during the performances of world skating stars: Evgeni Plushenko, four-time Olympic medalist, on the ice with his son Aleksandr, world champions Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte, this year also acting as choreographers, the standout Italian champions Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise, world champion and Japanese star Miki Ando, the adagio pair Annette Dytrt and Yannick Bonheur, the Italian synchronized skating team Hot Shivers, and the rising Italian skating talents Lucrezia Beccari and Gabriele Frangipani.
Among the unforgettable moments of the show was the grand opening to the notes of the “Brindisi” from La Traviata, where the entire cast took to the ice in tribute to the great Maestro Franco Zeffirelli, who had recently passed away. The precious historical costumes from the famous Sartoria Tirelli were worn by the skaters in the opening number and other parts of the show to celebrate and remember the great Maestro. All of this was coordinated by theater costume designer Lorena Marin, who has followed Opera on Ice since its first edition in 2011.
The excellent and beautiful soprano Elisa Balbo and the talents of the Pavarotti Foundation, soprano Claudia Sasso, tenor Giuseppe Michelangelo Infantino, and baritone Andrea Zaupa, accompanied by the hundred-piece Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra and the Nuovo Coro Lirico Sinfonico Romano, conducted by Maestro Diego Basso, gave flawless performances.
The best Hair Stylists from Wella Professionals designed and created the hairstyles for the show's cast, while make-up artist and bodypainter Anna Penazzo painted the bodies of the Hot Shivers, transforming them into statues for the closing number, “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot, performed by the great Maestro Luciano Pavarotti, which was a tribute to the Olympics and the city of Rome.
“Luciano always wanted to bring opera to everyone, and shows like Opera on Ice continue his path and his will. I thank the organizers because from the very first edition in 2011, they wanted us by their side, and for us, it has been and still is a great honor to be involved.” said Nicoletta Mantovani, wife of Maestro Luciano Pavarotti and President of the Foundation, who has always believed in the show's format.
Making the show even more magical was the hosting by Alfonso Signorini, a great expert in opera and already a director of important operas, who has believed in “Opera on Ice” since its first edition in 2011.
“This world premiere in Rome, in the temple of sport, represents a new great dream come true for the entire Opera on Ice team.” said Giulia Mancini, creator of the format and President of Opera on Ice. “Our next goal is to take the Made in Italy format worldwide. It has already been requested in China, Japan, Russia, and the Arab countries. In Italy, we are thinking of a tour leading up to the Olympics, from Milan to Trieste, Naples, and wherever else we are asked: we want to promote skating and see stable rinks built where many young talents can grow.”
