Rome's Teatro dell'Opera 2010/2011 season popped the cork and inaugurated itself all over the place on Thursday night under the pouring rain (which has also drenched Milan in a soggy, gray landscape the entire past month). The honor of opening the new season was given to super-conductor Riccardo Muti who filleted Rossini's Moise et Pharaon. The 19th century opera had never before been staged in Rome's opera house. The new production from Pier'Alli was also given a before-opening-night Gala on November 30th, a dual fundraiser for Rome-based humanitarian agency Agenda Sant'Egidio.
Star Riccardo Muti shared the spotlight with the night's additional luminaries: President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano and wife Clio; Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno; designer Alberta Ferretti and some of Clan Fendi and Clan Bulgari (Maite Bulgari founded the Agenda Sant'Egidio last year); even the head rabbi of Rome's Jewish community, Riccardo Di Segni, got in the Hanukkah spirit with a little bit of Old Testament vibe. Ildar Abdrazakov is Moïse and Nicola Alaimo is Pharaon. Dagospia was there (photos by Mario Pizzi da Zagarolo pasted below).
Giorgio Napolitano and wife Clio
Isabella Rauti
Paola and Franca Fendi
Riccardo Muti