Filarmonica della Scala: Rachmaninoff / Franceschini

A classical concert in conjunction with the Rachmaninoff Foundation will be broadcast live from Milan into cinemas on May 7, showcasing the talents of young stars Alexander Romanovsky and Andrea Battistoni, both in their twenties. The programme includes some of Rachmaninoff’s most enchanting melodies (Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Symphony No. 2), and will also feature a world premiere of 33 year-old composer Matteo Franceschini’s Ja sam, Sonata for Orchestra and Children’s Choir, a special piece commissioned by the Filarmonica della Scala orchestra, who celebrate their 30th anniversary this year. The piece takes its title from Rachmaninoff’s nickname when he was a child.

The concert, which will be broadcast at selected cinema screens in Ireland, marks the third in a series of four live concerts direct from the Teatro alla Scala venue in Milan and will be broadcast in HD and audio 5.1 surround sound, bringing together the talents of these three hugely talented individuals, their extraordinary youthfulness bringing with them the freshness, vibrancy and excitement that only a LIVE show can communicate. 25 year-old Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni’s extraordinary career is only just beginning but his achievements are already the stuff of legends; resident conductor at the Teatro Regio di Parma, he has already conducted several operas, having picked up the cello at the tender age of six. 28 year-old Ukranian pianist, Alexander Romanovsky, was already playing with the Moscow Virtuosi di Bologna at 11, and by the time he was 15 he received the Honorary Academician of the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna for his performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Previously only Mozart and Rossini had received this title at the age of fifteen.

The programme will also include extensive behind-the-scenes footage as well as interviews conducted by renowned opera director, Francesco Micheli, also live in HD.