(January 23, 2017) It opened on January 20 with a concert by Maestro Yurij Bashmet and the musical ensemble “Moscow Soloists” (chamber orchestra founded and directed by him that this year celebrates 25 years of activity) the season of cultural meetings at the Italian Embassy in Moscow. Yurij Bashmet, recognized by critics as one of the greatest contemporary violists, performed in the double role of conductor and soloist, with a repertoire that has seen the performance of Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky music, as well as Paganini and Rossini as a tribute to Italy, and three solos of the Master himself. The evening was attended by representatives from the cultural, scientific, academic, and political Russian world (among the latter, the Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich), and business and media representatives, both Russian and Italian. “Yuri Bashmet is a name familiar and beloved to the Embassy friends. I still remember with emotion the beautiful duet that in 2015 he presented us with Maestro Uto Ughi in these halls, where in the past he was awarded with a high Italian honor”, said the Italian Ambassador in Moscow Cesare Maria Ragaglini. “It seemed very appropriate to begin the program of our rich cultural activities with a concert, this year – continued the Ambassador -. The music has always been a formidable bridge between Italy and Russia, that in this very ancient art find a unique bond. ” (Red)
