JOrchestra, Italian maestro share language of music at classical concert

AMMAN — Al Hussein Cultural Centre’s theatre was packed on Tuesday night with music fans eager to watch the Jordanian National Orchestra Association (JOrchestra) and Italian violinist and conductor Domenico Nordio perform two great classical pieces: Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony no. 5”.

The evening, arranged by the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organisation and the Italian embassy, and held under the patronage of the president of Italy and Her Majesty Queen Noor, formed part of a celebration of the 15th week of Italian Language and Culture in the World.

With this concert, titled “The language of music, and the music of language”, organisers sought to share with the audience the musicality of the Italian language and the beauty of classical music.

“The Italian language is so musical that others identify with it even when they don’t understand it,” said Italian Ambassador to Jordan Giovanni Brauzzi at the event.

The concept of the event was chosen “because everyone who plays an instrument speaks a little Italian, because the tempos are in Italian”, Marco Marzeddu, first secretary of the Italian embassy, told The Jordan Times over the phone before the event. He added that it is the first concert the embassy has organised with the national orchestra.

Maestro Nordio is “a renowned violinist, viola player and conductor. He is one of Italy’s best musicians”, Sara Rella, manager of JOrchestra, told The Jordan Times over the phone. 

Throughourt Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”, Nordio performed the extraordinary feat of both conducting and playing solos on the violin. He then conducted a beautiful rendition of Beethoven’s “Symphony no. 5” with the full JOrchestra.

At the event, attended by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Raad, Princess Majda Raad and Princess Wijdan Al Hashemi, as well as Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, the Italian embassy also presented two Jordanian students of the Italian language, Motaz Inaim and Sanaa Al Banawi, with awards for best video and best picture in the “Italy in Jordan” contest.

To continue the celebrations of the 15th week of Italian Language and Culture in the World, the Italian embassy is hosting another musical event at Terra Sancta College on Sunday at 7:30pm. 

At this event, Italian organist Antonio Galante will play a diverse range of Italian organ music from the 17th to the 19th century on the college’s newly installed organ. Attendance is free.

On Monday, Società Dante Alighieri in Jabal Luweibdeh will host a “Journey through Italian Music” at 6pm.