On Tuesday 25th April 2017, I had the honour to attend the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines 2017 Gala Concert, together with Marquis Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini. On this occasion, we were very pleased to hear marvellous Soprano Rachelle Gerodias, whose husband, Baritone Park Byeong In, was seated at our table, under the direction of our friend Maestro Ruggero Barbieri.
Left to right: Madame Olga Severino Martel, President of the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines, Mrs. Diana Jeanne Lopez, Mrs. Agnes Huibonhoa, Consul of Gambia, Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong and Madame Zenaida Tantoco and her husband, Mr. Patrick Jacinto
The programme was full of joy and reminded me very much of the Vienna New Year Concert. Many members of the Manila High Society were present, among whom our beloved Opera Maecenas, Madame Zenaida (Nedy) Tantoco and her husband, Mr. Patrick Jacinto, Mrs. Olga Severino Martel, Consul General of Monaco Mrs. Fortune Ledesma, Mrs. Diana Jeanne (DJ) Lopez, Mrs. Agnes Huibonhoa, Consul of Gambia, Professor Raul Sunico and 21 ambassadors and their wives, among whom His Excellency Massimo Roscigno, Ambassador of Italy and his beautiful wife, Agnes Ventura and His Excellency Rida El Fassi, Ambassador of Morocco, etc…
Together with Marquis Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, Madame Zenaida (Nedy) Tantoco and His Excellency Massimo Roscigno, Ambassador of Italy to the Philippines in occasion of the Gala Dinner and Concert of the Johann Strauss Society on 25th April 2017Between Ms. Lulu Casas, our “Guardian Angel” during our stay in Manila and talented Baritone Park Byeong In, listening to his wife’s marvellous voiceTogether with Soprano Rachelle Gerodias after her triumph at Johann Strauss Society’s Concert in Manila on 25th April 2017, with Madame Zenaida Tantoco and her husband, Patrick Jacinto, M° Ruggiero Barbieri, Marquis Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and His Excellency Rida El Fassi, Ambassador of Morocco and Mrs. Monia Zaoui
On 25th March 2017 took place in Budapest a Gala Concert, organised by Italian Music Academy “Ariadimusica” and HC Welth ltd. On the initiative of Maestro Gianni Maria Ferrini and of Dottor Alessandro Stacchini, four great Opera singers from Italy went to Hungary to perform in the prestigious Boscolo Hotel in the Heart of Pest under the direction of Maestro Sergio La Stella of the National Opera of Rome. These four singers were Giacinta Nicotra, well-known and gifted Soprano; Irene Molinari, emerging Diva with a fire temper Mezzo-Soprano; Dario Di Vietri, young, talented and handsome Tenor and last but not least, famous Italian Baritone Carlo Guelfi.
The idea to gather them was the one of Maestro Sergio La Stella, a famous conductor and recitalist, from the National Opera of Rome who toured the whole world in the most famous theatres together with Maestro Gianni Ferrini. Together, they set up a programme, uniting romances, arias and duets of important Opera authors, such as Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, etc… Dottor Alessandro Stacchini who is the General Manager of HC Welth in Italy, the Rome-based limited producing renowned nutritional supplements, provided the adequate means to achieve the project in the best conditions.
Dario Di Vietri “Nessun Dorma” (al pianoforte, M° Sergio La Stella)
From left to right: Alessandro Stacchini, Dario Di Vietri, Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, Giacinta Nicotra, Gianni Maria Ferrini, Irene Molinari, Sergio La Stella, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, Carlo Guelfi.
The marvellous historic location of the Boscolo was unanimously chosen because of its links to the History of Hungarian Culture and the famous New York Café, symbol of the Magyar Modernity at the very beginning of the 20th Century.
New York Café
More than 500 persons came to this fabulous gala concert, even though Othello was a serious challenger in the Budapest National Opera, not far from the Boscolo at all. Her Excellency Madame Marie-France André, Ambassador of Belgium to Hungary arrived with her Son, Xavier Fonder together with two distinguished noblemen of the Magyar High Society. Many personalities and music lovers brought family and friends to attend this unique performance.
Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, Her Excellency Ambassador Marie-France André, Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, Lukàcs György
Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini came on purpose from Rome to co-ordinate the whole show, with a taste of “semi-scenico” moves and a play between light and shadow, which was absolutely perfect to underline the intensity of the interpretations of all five artists, who gave the best of their art, honouring the Hungarian public with the utmost voices of the Italian Musical panorama nowadays.
Standing: Nora Gallus, Krisztina Kéri, Giacinta Nicotra, Piero Ferrachiati, Alessandro Stacchini, Gianni Maria Ferrini, Irene Molinari, Dario Di Vietri, Marie-France André, Xavier Fonder, Carlo Guelfi, Priscilla Baglioni, Lukàcs György, Istvàn Kàràsz Kneeling: Paolo Ferrazza, Stefano Cacace, Sergio La Stella, Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini Photo Credits: Giordano Campanelli for Ariadimusice
Ariadimusica & HC Welth invited the whole cast and some priviliged hosts to dine in the enchanting restaurant of the Boscolo Hotel. The conversations were brilliant and relaxed. The Hungarian tradition of the Barack Palinka, traditional apricot digestive, gave an end to the gastronomic part.
The “Brindisi”
Another surprise awaited us: cars were at our disposal to tour Budapest by night and we discovered, blissfully amazed, the architectural marvels of the Pearl of the Danube until very late. This is why Budapest remains so special, especially to my heart…
Copyright Alain Hanel 2017: Reproduction prohibited except authorisation of the author
In March 2013, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia was invited by the Printemps des Arts to perform in Monaco. Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Buppha Devi led the delegation, seconded by His Royal Highness Prince Sisowath Tesso. Their Serene Hignesses Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attended the Première and Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanovre attended the Gala Evening.
31st Mars 2013: Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, welcoming Her Royal Highness Princess Samdech Reach Botrei Preah Ream Norodom Buppha Devi, in company of His Royal Highness Prince Sisowath Tesso and of His Highness Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong
On this occasion, my dear friend, French photographer Alain Hanel, as the official photographer of the Printemps des Arts shooted marvellous pictures of the dancers on stage and he decided to set up an exhibition of his works in Monaco.
In company of HRH Princess Antonella d’Orléans-Bourbon and of my friend, French photograher Alain Hanel. Photo: Eric Dervaux
His son Julien Pierre Hanel gave the magic touch to the photos by re-working graphically with the utmost modern techniques to render the glimpses of fantasy and glitters, characteristical of the Cambodia Royal Ballet.
From left to right: Mr. Hubert Dupont-Sonneville, Mrs. Marie Madeleine Liesse, Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, Mr. Alain Hanel, Mrs. Angela de Bona, Mr. Julien Pierre Hanel Photo: Eric Dervaux
This initiative was definitely supported by the famous brand of French supermarkets, Carrefour and their Foundation for Arts. Mrs. Marie Madeleine Liesse and her Responsible for Marketing, Mr. Hubert Dupont-Sonneville were enthusiastic promoters and this is how we ended on 9th March 2017 enjoying this exclusive venue in one of the main Shopping Mall of Monaco.
The Apsaras will continue their enchanting dances on the walls of Fontvieille until 7th April 2017.
Copyright Alain Hanel 2017: Reproduction prohibited except Authorisation of the Author
As reported in “L’Opera – International Magazine” of February 2017, the Opera Theatre of Cosenza, known as the “Rendano Theatre” hosted on 29th December 2016 a unique special Gala Evening, following the napolitan concept of “pastiche”, uniting in one show, music, opera and dance for the pleasure of the public.
This initiative was due to our Beloved friend, Mrs. Luigia Pastore Fiorentino, who founded the Polimnia Association to promote opera and music, especially for young people (but not only!). She asked Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and myself to imagine a kind of dream to be put on stage in a form of an oniric trip from Naples to Paris, crossing Vienna in order to lead the public to welcome the new year to come.
Sweet Silia Valente with the Choir “Sol Vox Cantori” in Traviata “Brindisi”
We decided to put together French Literature with Napolitan poems, “La Veuve Joyeuse” with “La Traviata” and many other jolly and colourful pieces of music and dance, so to have a delightful mixture of glamour and naughty songs to accompany our trip towards the end of 2016.
Stefano Tanzillo and Sarah Baratta: Love Duetto of Traviata
A marvellous cast of fabulous artists of either music and theatre world gave this creation a special sense of artistic expression, which was definitely appreciated. In my name and the one of Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, we want to extend our warmest thanks to Maria Carmela Conti, Sarah Baratta, Silia Valente, Glenda Sevald Pirandello, the brothers Stefano and Andrea Tanzillo, Federico Veltri, Luca Bruno, Andrea Bauleo, Pasquale Allegretti Gravina, Rino Amato, Antonio Fratto and his “Sol Vox Cantori” choir, the clarinettists of the Conservatorio “S.Giacomantonio” directed by Giorgio Feroleto, the choreographer Antonella Ciappetta and her dancers, and of course, last but not least, the whole staff of the production, Francesco Liuzi, Giovanni Pirandello, Otello Camponeschi and Fabrizio Onali.
Our Three Tenors: Stefano Tanzillo, Federico Veltri and Andrea Tanzillo in “Torna a Surriento”Young and talented violonist Pasquale Allegretti Gravina
A special mention to our favourite: Adriano Pirandello, 11 years old, who made a fantastic first stage appearance, speaking out and loud a sweet poem of his illustrous ancestor, Luigi Pirandello… about love and time…!
Adriano Pirandello, “La coscienza amorosa” di Rino Amato: un momento di antologia !La seduzione del pipistrello di Antonella Ciappetta e Federico VeltriEleganza e classe di Maria Carmela Conti con Andrea Tanzillo
Many thanks to Mr. Luigi Allegretti Gravina for the nice photos on stage !
On Friday 17th February 2017 took place the vernissage of a very special exhibition of our friend Fabrizio Onali, with Giuseppe Ussani d’Escobar as Art Curator.
An antique Kimono transformed into a splendid painting by Fabrizio Onali
Fabrizio’s inspiration is mainly the tranformation of precious antique materials into splendid ornamental art pieces. Fabrizio collaborated many times with his partner, Otello Camponeschi to opera creations, especially the ones of Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini.
Together with Fabrizio Onali and Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini at the vernissage of the Exhibition “In Ceneris Aurum”
More recently, I had the joy to wear Fabrizio’s creation during a special Show at the Rendano Opera Theatre in Cosenza. He set together a piece of golden silk of Cambodia with a magnificent Renaissance jacket, to make me look like a character of Shakespeare in some strange twilight dreams….
With my partner on stage, Glenda Sevald-Pirandello, at Rendano Opera Theatre in Cosenza. My jacket is a creation of Fabrizio Onali and Otello Camponeschi.
His exhibition in Rome will last until 17th April. Please go to have a look, it is worth seeing!
On Monday 27th February 2017, His Most Reverend Excellency, Monsignor Miguel Maury Buendia, Archbishop of Italica and Apostolic Nunzio to Romania has granted me the honour of a Gala Dinner in Bucharest, remembering that we were celebrating twenty years of personal, faithful and sincere friendship.
The day after, I had the joy to meet up with my Dear Friend, His Excellency Ambassador Bogdan Tataru-Cazaban with whom I meditated on the maening of Lent in the Christian tradition.
As every year, the Prize of the “Marchigiano dell’Anno”, i.e. of the Marchigiano of the Year was held on June 22nd, 2016 in the prestigious location of the Italian Senate, in the heart of Rome in Palazzo Madama.
I was extremely honoured to present the prize to my friend, Sergio Palma, who was thus rewarded by the Italian Presidency due to his admirable work in the field of Oil Trade and Management that he fulfilled all along these years of work within the Italian firm of AGIP.
Together with me was AGIP Vice-President Giuseppe Accorinti to give Sergio Palma his Prize.
Needless to say that his wife, Margareth (of Indonesian descent) and his son David were tremendously proud on this very special occasion.
Our thoughts were directed to our common friend, Princess Giulia Pignatelli Panichi Seghetti who had us meet years ago in her lovely mansion of Castel di Lama, Borgo Seghetti Panichi, together with Marquess Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, present in the Senate on this unique venue.
Il était une fois un Amoureux des Arts qui se passionne pour l’Académie de France à Rome. Des années auparavant, il avait rencontré une jolie jeune fille à la Trinité des Monts, Edwige, qui allait devenir son épouse et lui donner trois beaux garçons. Grâce à elle, il devient viticulteur dans le Médoc au merveilleux domaine de Château Livran, et de l’union de ses passions va naître une collaboration extraordinaire avec la prestigieuse institution qu’héberge la Villa Médicis à Rome.
Olivier Michon et son épouse, Edwige Lurton-Michon
Olivier Michon, va ainsi accompagner pendant de nombreuses années et jusqu’à aujourd’hui encore, expositions, concerts, initiatives et manifestations littéraires, toutes liés à la propagation de la fine fleur de la culture française.
Olivier Michon, entouré de son épouse Edwige Lurton-Michon, de Muriel Mayette-Holtz, Directrice de l’Académie de France à Rome et de Michelina Terreri
C’est Muriel Mayette-Holtz, l’actuelle Directrice de l’Académie de France qui va reconnaître en lui un mécène aussi discret qu’exceptionnel et lundi 27 juin 2016 à 19h30, en présence de son épouse Edwige et de quelques invités très intimes du couple, elle lui remet avec des paroles qui lui viennent du coeur la médaille de Chevalier des Arts et Lettres en témoignage de la gratitude de la France pour le soutien et l’attention de tous les instants qu’Olivier a toujours eus pour les activités de la Villa Médicis.
Olivier Michon, entouré de Madame Michelina Terreri et du Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong
Je suis fier d’être son ami, sa “tête chercheuse”, comme il aime à me présenter, depuis les quelques quinze années d’une amitié jamais démentie.
Un grand merci au Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini pour les jolies photos !
PS: En prime une autre facette d’Olivier Michon: la Cuisine !!!
On Saturday 25th June 2016, Prince Giuseppe Grifeo di Partanna decided to gather some friends 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 Middle Age.
Prince Giuseppe Grifeo di Partanna greeting his friends: Mrs. Anna Maria Napoli and her husband, Mr. Vincenzo Mendolia, owners of the delicious “Baronessa” Olive Oil and the Della Rocca brothers, Daniele & Massimo, from Martina FrancaIn company of Dr. Domenico de Gennaro and his wife, Dr. Rosalia Crescenti and Onorevole Nino Oddo and his wife
The Grifeo family is one of the most antique and famous names of Sicily. Their ancestor, Giovanni Grifeo the First was rewarded the territory of Partanna in 1091 by Earl Ruggero of Sicily in gratitude for his help to fight against the Arabic invaders and since then, the Grifeo family became “Grifeo di Partanna”.
Prince Giuseppe Grifeo di Partanna showing me his impressive GenealogyCastello Grifeo in Partanna
Their impressive castle was the marvellous settings where many VIPs decided to get together to enjoy the most delightful evening of the beginning of the summer with typical Sicilian dishes and above all, a piano concert by two young and brilliant artists, Luca Lione and Giulia Martiniello, students of Maestro Vincenzo Marrone d’Alberti.
Luca Lione & Giulia Martiniello, students of Maestro Vincenzo Marrone d’Alberti
Maestro Luca Lione interpreting with grace and sentiment an unforgettable masterpiece of Franz Liszt
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.
On Wednesday 27th April 2016, His Royal Highness Prince Nikola II Petrovic Njegoš of Montenegro paid a visit to the Holy See and on the occasion, had separate meetings with His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
At the end of his visit to the Vatican, Prince Nikola II awarded high Vatican officials, representatives of the Italian nobility, as well as diplomats accredited to the Holy See, including the Montenegrin Ambassador Veselin Šuković with the “Medal of the Order of Danilo I of Montenegro”.
HRH Prince Nikola II Petrovic Njegos of Montenegro granted me the Order of Prince Danilo I. On the right, my beloved Friend, N.H. Giuseppe Tedeschi, Gentleman of His Holiness.
I was granted the honour to be received in the Order of Prince Danilo I at the highest level: Grand Cross of 1st Class
At the reception given in honour of HRH Prince Nikola of Montenegro at the Academy of Hungary in Rome, I also had the honour to meet with HRH Prince Jaime Bernardo de Bourbon Parme, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Holy See since 2014.
Prince Jaime Bernardo of Bourbon-Parma, Count of Bardi is the second son and third child of HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands and late HRH Prince Carlos Hugo, Duke of Parma. He is a member of the Royal and Ducal House of Bourbon-Parma, and also an extended member of the Dutch Royal Family and a Dutch nobleman with the title Prince de Bourbon Parme.
in company of HRH Prince Jaime Bernardo of Bourbon Parme, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Holy See
Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong 