Author: Ravivaddhana
His Highness Prince SISOWATH Ravivaddhana Monipong was born in Phom-Penh in February 1970 and since 1997, lives in Rome, Italy. Grown up in France, graduated in Bristish contemporary literature, Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong is a recognised specialist of history and culture of South-East Asia and has published books and articles on the social and traditional structure of the Cambodian society and the genealogy of the Khmer Royal Family. After a career as a junior salesman in multinational group (IBM & ACCOR), he has collaborated as an associate expert and a consultant for many years with the United Nations (WFP, FAO, IFAD). He was nominated in 2004 Representative for the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism for the South of Europe. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Prince Ravi was in charge of the Public Relations of the "Ballet Classique Khmer", a direct emanation of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in France. In those years, he participated as a dancer and a conductor to many galas in favour of the Cambodian refugees in Europe. In the meantime, he studied the traditional "Pinpeat" and "Mahori" music and singing under the direction of the Cambodian Royal Palace Masters who survived the genocide as well as Western Classical singing at the Conservatoire of Paris. In this regard, he was invited many times to perform for France Culture and lately, in Italy, at Palazzo Farnese and at the Accademia di Francia at Villa Medici. Since 2010, he has been Artistic Consultant for Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and had participated in staging many operas, mainly in Turkey and Italy such as Tosca, La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Carmen, Turandot as well as various classical music and opera performances and concerts in Europe and Asia. Recently, he assisted Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini in staging “L’elisir d’amore” of Gaetano Donizetti at Manila CCP in October 2017 and "Lucia di Lammermoor" of Gaetano Donizetti at Manila CCp in January 2019 as well as “Cavalleria rusticana” of Pietro Mascagni in 2018 and “Pagliacci” of Ruggero Leoncavallo in 2019 in Phnom Penh in occasion of the Sofitel Classical Music Festival as a member of Cambodia Opera Project.
In May 2016, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia has nominated by Royal Decree His Highness Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong as Ambassador of the Royal Household of Cambodia with rank of Under-Secretary of State.
22 Novembre 2018: Conference – Dinner at Rotary Roma EUR
I wish to extend my warmest thanks to President Rocco Recce and his marvellous Prefect, Mrs. Francesca Staiti who organised a very pleasant evening with so many lovely people around the theme of “Women and Holiness in Cambodia”
My infinite gratitude for the kindness and the patience of photographer Fabrizio Zaccariello and his colleague, Gianmarco Costa
28th October 2018 : Sanda Pandza and Valentina Picca Bianchi created once again an enchanted evening in the Eternal City with fabulous “Butterfly Effect Emotional Gala Dinner”
The two fairies of the magic evenings of Rome came back on 28th October 2018 at MAXXI to bring us a magnificent gift in occasion of the Fall session of Sanda Pandza’s Wedding Planner Academy: The “Butterfly Effect Emotional Gala Dinner” was the occasion not only to give a pratical application of a week of intensive trainings and lessons, but also a way to gather the best professionals in the event organisation camp to create a splendid, innovative but always elegant event.
This time, the accent was put on trasparency, lightness and fluidity.
First, the marvellous Welcome of Butterflies at the entrance with the sublime evergreen floral design of Great Andrea Patrizi.
Then, the surprise of the “Emotional” dinner: tying a black silk ribbon in a fluid knot on your eyes, listening to your inner feelings and letting explode in your mouth the flavours cooked by Chef Fabio, under the protective look of gorgeous Valentina Picca Bianchi, dynamic director of Whitericevimenti.
Afterwards, the magnificent “Butterflies” will invite you from one table to another, to obey the elementary principles of liberty and love to gain happiness….
The explosion of emotions happened after dinner, when Magus Ivan Visentin, Director of Offside Events, opened his enchanted Open Bar and made us drink love elixirs and potions until late in the night, with the charming ladies of the Evening who took the shape of colourful butterflies…
Then, the party began with fantastic musicians, enigmatic female creatures….
A magnetic and irresistible will to enjoy life in the heart of the night darkness suddenly occurred and we got the rhythm to dance the whole night through…thanks to Sanda’s magic, kindness and glamour as always.
Sanda, we love you ! Come back soon, with another celebration to make us think that we are the smartest people on Earth….but aren’t we ?
My heartfelt gratitude to photographer Daniele Pierangeli and his assistant for the very nice pictures !
Event planning & Design: Sanda Pandza Events
Catering and design: Valentina Picca Bianchi
Chef: @fabio_materiaprima
Floral design: Andrea Patrizi
Light design & mapping: Tecnoservice 2000
Open Bar: OffSide Events
Music Design: Vasco Alessandrelli
Vocalist female: Oumy N’Diaye
Vocalist male: @joshuajackofficial
DJ: Leo Alessandrelli
Photo: Jay Studio – Wedding Photography
Video: @thomasdelorenzofilms
Arredi: ELE Light
Performance: Giulia Cencioni
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Special thanks to: Antonella Lionetti
Location: LINEA e TYPO al Museo MAXXI
25° edizione del Festival Internazionale di Aspendos: TURANDOT, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini firma il nuovo allestimento del capolavoro pucciniano
“Suggestioni anatoliche per la Cina Imperiale di Turandot: Aspendos, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini firma il nuovo allestimento del capolavoro pucciniano”, articolo di Francesco Germinario nel numero di Ottobre 2018 di “L’Opera International Magazine”
Turkish translation:
Turandot’un Çin İmparatorluğu için Anadolu İlhamları
Francesco Germinario, L’Opera Dergisi
Traduzione – çeviri: Suna Ertekin
Aspendos: Vincenzo Travaglini Grisostomi, Puccini’nin başyapıtının yeniden sahneye koyuluşunu imzalıyor.
25. Uluslararsı Aspendos Festivali’nde büyük opera Turandot gösterişli yeni bir prodüksiyonla geri dönüyor.
Geçtiğimiz Ocak ayından itibaren aralarında Aspendos, İstanbul ve Efes’in de olduğu birçok festivaller düzenleyen Türkiye Devlet Opera ve Balesi Genel Müdürlüğüne uluslararası üne sahip opera şarkıcısı Murat Karahan atandı ve hemen Türkiye’deki müzikal/opera kültürüne yeni bir nabız katmak istedi.
Yeni yönetimin en anlamlı sonuçları arasında Turandot’un bu edisyonunu buluyoruz, bu eser tarihi “Antik Tiyatro”ya 18 yıl sonra geri döndü.
Tarihi Anadolu’nun Opera ve Balesi’nin en iyi kaynaklarının bir araya geldiği görkemli bir sahneleme, özellikle Ankara Operası, Orkestrası ve Korosuna Antalya Devlet Operası’nın korosunun koro şefleri Giampaolo Vassella ve Mahir Seyrek ile, Balenin ve Sinem Seçil Battal tarafından yönetilen çocuk korosunun katılımıyla gerçekleşti; eseri İstanbul ve İzmir’i de içeren Türkiye’nin çeşitli realitelerinin en iyi şan solistleri seslendirdiler. Dev bir organizasyon ve teknik ekip sayesinde gerçekleştirilen bu prodüksiyon Aspendos Festivalini haberlere çıkma şerefine eriştirdi. Çeşitli kurumların temsilcileri arasında Kültür ve Turizm Bakanı Mehmet Nuri Ersoy da vardı, temsil sonunda sahneye çıkarak sanatçılara çiçek verip tebriklerini sundu. Aspendos antik çağlardan kalan en iyi tiyatro sayılmaktadır, mimar Zenon tarafından Marcus Aurelius için M.S. 161 ve 180 yılları arasında inşa ettirilmiştir; antik tiyatro bu temsille “güçlü” bir şekilde yeniden gözler önüne çıktı diyebiliriz.
Rejisörlüğü, bugün olduğu gibi bu prodüksiyonla 2000 yılında da çok başarı kazanan Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini üstlendi. Orkestra Şefliğini maestro Alberto Veronesi yaptı.
Şan grubunda başlıca rolleri soprano Perihan Diyana Nayır Artan güçlü ve aynı zamanda şık bir Turandot olarak, tenor Murat Karahan güçlü, sağlam ve cömert tenor sesiyle Calaf olarak, “Nessun dorma”yı kaçırılmayacak “bis” ile seslendirdi; aynı rolü geçtiğimiz sezon Verona Arenası’nda büyük başarı ile seslendirmişti ve Aspendos greko-romen tiyatrosunda da zafer kazandı. Şancılar arasında, Festivalin bu açılışı için, Devlet Operası’nın çeşitli müdürlüklerinden öne çıkan en anlamlı sesler görevlendirildi, Seda Aracı Ayazlı’nın duygu dolu Liù rolü ve Teyfik Rodos’un şık Timur rolü beğeni kazandı. Canlı, sahneye katılım gösteren ve dikkat çeken üç bakan rollerinde Ping rolünü üstlenen Murat Duyan, Pang ve Pong rollerinde Tankut Eşber ve Serkan Taylan vardı. Şan grubunu İmparator Altum rolünde Lorenzo Mok Arranz, Nejat Beğde ve Serkan Sarıkaya tamamladı.
Özgür Usta’nın dekorları heybetliydi; Savaş Camgöz’ün değerli kumaşlarla ve özenle seçilen renklerle gerçekleştirdiği her türden aksesuarların kullanıldığı kostümleri çok güzeldi, tarih ve fantazi arasında, Yunan trajedisi stilinde “oyulmuş” maskelerle masalımsı uzak Çin İmparatorluğu sahnede daha önce hiç bu kadar öne çıkmamıştı. Özellikle Armağan Davran’ın koreografileri özenle çalışılmıştı, Pu-Tin-Pao’nun hizmetkârları erkek balesinin enerjik dansından başka Uzak Doğu geleneğine göre düzenlenen ve finaldeki sofistike “çiçekli kızlar” dansı çok etkiliydi. Fuat Gök’ün ışık düzeni güzeldi. Kalabalık ve heyecanlı seyirci, tribünleri doldurarak iyi kalitenin her zaman kazanacağını kanıtladı.
XXVth Aspendos International Festival: An absolute triumph for Turandot of Giacomo Puccini
On Tuesday 4th September 2018 was released a marvellous “Turandot” at XXVth Aspendos International Festival in Turkey.
Following the impulsion of the newly nominated Director General of Turkish Opera Theatres and Ballet, young and already famous Tenor Murat Karahan, “Turandot” has come back on Aspendos stage after eighteen years.
Last time, in 2000, Ankara’s Opera called Maestro Antonio Pirolli to be the conductor and Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini to assume the stage direction with the fantastic Nilgun Akkerman as Turandot and it was already a success.
This year, the choice of Maestro Alberto Veronesi as conductor, united with the return of Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini for the stage direction, indicates clearly the will of the Director General of the Turkish Opera to express with magnificent emphasis his taste for the genuine essence of art and music at its utmost level.
In the grandiose settings of Aspendos Antique Theatre, the best singers of Turkey were called to give life to the ultimate characters of Giacomo Puccini. The brilliant cast included Perihan Diana Nayir Artan as Princess Turandot, Murat Karahan as Prince Calaf, Lorenzo Mok Arranz as Emperor Altom, Teyfik Rodos as Timur, Seda Araci Ayazli as Liu, Murat Duyan as Ping, Tankut Esber as Pang, Serkan Teylan as Pong, Nejad Begde as one Mandarin and Serkan Sarikaya in the role of the Prince of Persia.
The lovely sets were signed by Ozgur Usta and the beautiful costumes by Savas Camgoz. To be noted the elegant choreography of Amagan Davran and the inspiring light designing of Fuat Gok.
The combination between the brio and sensitivity of Maestro Veronesi together with the supreme harmony of the royal court, rendered in a rich and colourful manner by Maestro Grisostomi Travaglini has reached its climax in this particularly difficult opera of Puccini. The audience was definitely convinced and the long ovation at the end of the performance was just the confirmation of the enthusiasm, already expressed when Murat Karahan was warmly invited to sing “Nessun dorma” a second time !
Last but not least, the incredible honour the artists were granted by His Excellency Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, when he went on stage to congratulate all of them with a bunch of white flowers in sign of gratitude for their art and work.
Many thanks to Official photographer Yusuf Emre Turan who did marvellous pictures of this enchanting evening.
Gazzetta Ufficiale del Regno d’Italia – 9 ottobre 1906 : Sua Altezza Reale il Principe Ferdinando di Savoia incontra Sua Maestà il Re Sisowath di Cambogia al Palazzo Reale di Phnom Penh
“Il Corriere di Saigon giunso ieri a Marsiglia, reca le seguenti notizie sull’arrivo della R. nave Calabria a Tou-Moc-Lo il 6 settembre scorso e sulle accoglienze fatte a S.A.R. il principe Ferdinando di Savoia, duca di Udine, imbarcato su detta nave:
“Le autorità locali ricevettero allo sbarcatoio il Principe e lo accompagnarono dal Re del Cambodge. Alla sera, alla sede del Residente Superiore, fu dato un “punch” in onore del Principe, al quale assistevano gli ufficiali italiani e le autorità.
Vi furono quindi le danze al palazzo reale.
Il Re Sisowath ha nominato il Principe di Udine grande ufficiale del Cambodge e il comandante della Calabria, il Marchese Enrico Marenco di Moriondo, comendatore.”
Il giorno dopo, il Principe visitò la città, i monumenti ed il Palazzo”
“Novità senza emozioni”, articolo del Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini in “L’Opera- International Magazine”, Luglio-Agosto 2018 su “La Bohème” di Giacomo Puccini al Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.
“Novità senza emozioni”, articolo del Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini in “L’Opera- International Magazine”, Luglio-Agosto 2018 su “La Bohème” di Giacomo Puccini al Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.
“Al Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, in un allestimento in coproduzione con il Regio di Torino, la scelta degli spazi è quanto mai interessante e sia pure nella ristrettezza di due camere con cucina a vista, perduti tra le lamiere di una periferia impersonale e senza luogo, non raggiungono nell’espressione alcuno degli obiettivi specifici del titolo proposto così che, ad esempio nel primo quadro tra Rodolfo e Mimì “le dolcezze estreme, nel bacio freme amor!” sono solo parole, senza emozione e la musica non rapisce e resta lettera morta in partitura. L’impianto scenico, un contenitore. Una produzione di livello, proposta a Roma così come a Torino, non può trascurare l’equilibrio dell’insieme così che le tante idee di un regista di sicuro successo si spengono nella direzione dell’ungherese Henrik Nánási e in una compagnia di canto non oltre il meritevole.
Non, quindi, una sterile sfida di concetti, bensì di qualità condivisa e complessiva armonizzazione.”
“Rodin et la Danse”, articolo di Sua Altezza il Principe Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong in “L’Opera- International Magazine”, Luglio-Agosto 2018
“Rodin et la Danse”, articolo di Sua Altezza il Principe Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong in “L’Opera- International Magazine”, Luglio-Agosto 2018 su Auguste Rodin, la sua passione tardiva per la danza e “Neang Vaddhana Devi”, ultima creazione di Sua Altezza Reale la Principessa Norodom Buppha Devi, Direttrice del Balletto Reale di Cambogia.
Da notare, le bellissime foto del fotografo svizzero Helmut Stampfli
23rd-25th June 2018: 1st Opera singing international competition in Penne, Italy
My mentor, in Opera matter, Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and my beloved fraternal friend, Maestro Gianni Maria Ferrini were invited by Maestro Michela De Amicis to participate in the jury of the 1st Opera singing international competition of Penne, which took place from 23rd to 25th June 2018 in this lovely little town of Abruzzo, near Pescara on the Adriatic Coast.
The participants came from allover the world, from Mexico to Japan, China and Italy. In the meantime, other classical music competitions involved young talents from Russia and other countries, among which…. Cambodia !
We were received by dynamic and cheerful Professor Lidia Dutillo, President of Le Muse Music School, who accompanied us to a lovely little cottage, Villa Emma, where the owners, Stefania and Giancarlo Delle Monache took care of us the way only Italians can do: with charm, discretion and warmth, and above all, an unforgettable breakfast, made of the utmost fresh products of the surrounding countryside.
On the first evening, Maestro Michela De Amicis, together with her two friends, Maestro Rosella Masciarelli and Maestro Angela Petaccia, brought us a marvellous gift: A concert with their six hands, entitled “Trio pianiste all’Opera”, three fantasies inspired by “Rigoletto”, “Traviata” and many Puccini’s Opera Arias. I was in heaven…. We ended up to have dinner together and as I was telling my admiration, Maestro Rosella Masciarelli held me their CD: such a special moment !
The jury of the Opera competition was presided by Maestro Leone Magiera, best friend of late world wide famous Luciano Pavarotti, and I had the occasion to meet with him and his very nice wife, Dottoressa Lidia La Marca as well as energetic and smiling Soprano Patrizia Orciani, accompanied by handsome tenor Carlo Baricelli. Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and Maestro Gianni Maria Ferrini completed with their respective competences this pannel of the highest level. The singers were accompanied all along the competition by young and talented Maestro Piergiorgio Del Nunzio.
The three Opera singers who robbed my heart (and were selected as well by the jury) were Mariana Valdés from Mexico, Mae Hayashi from Yokohama and Ruiyang Xu from China. Not only were they exceptional voices, with a variety of colours and sensual shades, but they are three marvellously beautiful ladies. We all fell under their charms !
At the final evening, I was granted the pleasure to meet with 17 year-old Cambodian violonist, Sokhema Di Croce, originally from Battambang and who was adopted by her Roman parents when she was only 11 months. I was raptured by the power of her interpretation and I hope to re-meet her very soon in Rome. Maestro Gianni Maria Ferrini already promised her to organise a concert at Ariadimusica, in which she will be able to show her great talents.
After the gala concert, we got together with the “Happy Few” and had a funny and relaxing dinner in a place called “il Chicco Verde” and finished with a delicious ice-cream at “La Regina”, property of Signora Irma where my friends, Maestro Sacha De Ritis and his student, Mattia Carugno explained to me some tricks to play their favourite instrument: the traverse flute.
16th June 2018: Second edition of “Vissi d’arte sulle ali del grifo”, a fund-raising Gala Evening at Castello Grifeo in Partanna, Sicily.
On Saturday 16th June 2018, as promised two years ago, Prince Giuseppe Grifeo di Partanna decided to gather some friends once again in the Castle of his ancestors in Partanna, Sicily. Thanks to Dottore Domenico de Gennaro and the “Il MedioEvo” Association, the funds reunited in occasion of this Gala Dinner will be used to restore two wonderful masterpieces of Sicilian XVIIIth Century.
Before dinner, Prince Giuseppe Grifeo di Partanna invited Maestro Vincenzo Marrone d’Alberti, togetehr with his talented young student, Maesto Luca Lione to play romantic pieces of Chopin, Lizst and Brahms and my emotion was at its utmost level, when I heard the notes of Ravel’s “Ma Mère l’Oye”, a surprise for Prince Grifeo (who particularly appreciates this piece of music) but also for me, as Ravel composed it right after attending the performance of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia at Pré Catelan in Summer 1906, following King Sisowath in state visit.
The funds gathered two years ago served to restore a magnificent statue of San Giovanni Battista, a glory of Sicilian medieval wood sculpture tradition.
Many friends of Prince Giuseppe Grifeo di Partanna have participated with enthusiasm to this prestigious Gala evening and the celebration went on, until late into the summer night, among laughs and joyful jokes of a merry company, who promised to do it again very soon !
Needless to say that this enchanting evening is still alive in our hearts and we are looking forward to going back to this lovely area of the Beautiful Sicily.
All my gratitude and sincere thanks to our marvellous photographer, Mr. Angelo Campus.
Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong 