Musical Merano

All in all, our bus ride from Lucerne across the Swiss border to Italy's Bolzano took seven hours. From here, we made our way to Merano, passing through sprawling vineyards that extended all the way into town. Located at the entrance of the Passeier Valley in northern Italy and surrounded by mountains, it was made famous as a South Tyrolian resort of healing baths and gardens by Austrian aristocrats starting in the late 1980s. Here, the majority of the population speaks German.

Our goal here is to take part in the town's summer highlight, the Merano Music Festival. The Festival, held annually, features diversity with music and artists from around the world. This summer it will be held for the 32nd time.



Our hall tonight is the town's symbolic Kurhaus, an ornate building featuring a portico, a porch supported by columns, that leads to the entrance. Allegorical statues decorate the structure's art nouveau facade. The original west wing was built in 1874. At nighttime, it glows prettily, lit with fluorescent pink and purple lights. Walking on the red carpet through the bright doors to the inside, its rich elegance greets us. The beautiful paintings on the rounded ceiling, casting soft shadows from the lighting, wouldn't let us look away.


Tonight's performance, conducted by James Judd, featured the wonderful piano solo of Gerhard Oppitz. Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major was first on the program. This concerto is my favourite because just like the AYO itself, it creates musical connections. The orchestra asks a question and the pianist responds, creating a conversation between the two forces that flow in harmony.


The night ended with Mahler's Symphony No. 1.


What a lovely final evening to bid our fond farewell to Italy. May we have an opportunity to return again, Arrivedercci.

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