‘Magic moments ‘ on the Spada farm where beauty music and friendship are linked on wings of song. Thanks to Massimo Spada and his ever growing family who together with Mario Montore and the young artists from their Avos Project kept us spellbound on this balmy night on the eve of the Giornata della Musica.

Guided with charm , extraordinary sensitivity and intelligence by Gaia Vazzoler as she lead us through a world of Music and Nature.

Man may change but nature remains a constant presence and consolation as we were guided from prophetic words to the magic world of music.

All this with tasting of the typical local produce between these two worlds

Worlds that were illuminated by the ‘Pines of Rome ‘ in the transcription by Respighi himself and played by Francesco Bravi and Adriano Leonardo Scapicchi in a consolidated duo playing as one. https://christopheraxworthymusiccommentary.com/2025/06/17/bravi-scapicchi-duo-at-st-marys-seminating-the-infernal-heat-of-the-eternal-city/

Schubert Lieder superbly sung by Sylvia Schwartz with her refined duo partner Mario Montore .

Of course such a feast needs celebrating and it was Saint -Saëns with his Zoological Fantasy that provided the fun and games for nine expert soloists guided from the piano by Massimo Spada.

Donkeys braying, pianists annoying , a ravishing swan swanning it in this balmy atmosphere, elephants awkwardly dancing the can can and even a cuckoo appearing unexpectedly from the window as she looked on with a smile on her face .

But it was the final parade where there was a free for all of exhilaration and masterly playing that by overwhelming demand had to be repeated .

Even Beatrice Rana had put Margherita to bed and came to join in the fun led by her Massimo !

Twilight had turned to night and it was time to leave this paradise uplifted as we ventured back to the Eternal City just 50 miles down the road.

‘Onde Sonore’ by Giancarlino Benedetti Corcos inspired by tonight’s works

Can it really be five years since I last ventured into these parts ?

Rana and Spada – The crossing of swords with sublime music making in Viterbo

Bravi- Scapicchi – Some Enchanted Evening- A duo playing as one with artistry and mastery.