28 Jun Belcantissimo – Opera Gala
4th Event of theVARENNA FESTIVAL – 7th Edition
Promoted and funded by the Municipality of Varenna
Organized by Elysium Chorus Association
Artistic Direction by Maestro Maurizio Moretta
Belcantissimo – Opera Gala
ARPEGGIONE ORCHESTRA
ALESSANDRA DI GIORGIO – Soprano
TAMTA TARIELASHVILI – Mezzo-Soprano
ROBERTO GIANOLA – ConductorA journey through some of the most beloved arias and duets from the Italian operatic repertoire, set against the unique backdrop of Lake Como. Belcantissimo celebrates the rich tradition of Italian opera with an elegant and engaging programme, performed by internationally acclaimed soloists.
ARPEGGIONE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Founded over thirty years ago by Professor Irakli Gogibedaschwili, who continues to serve as its Artistic Director, the Arpeggione Chamber Orchestra has established itself as one of Austria’s leading independent ensembles. Based at the historic Hohenems Palace in Vorarlberg, the orchestra presents an acclaimed annual concert series in the magnificent Knights’ Hall, attracting audiences from across the Lake Constance region.
Since its foundation, Arpeggione has given more than 1,000 concerts throughout Europe as well as in North and South America, Israel, Russia and Georgia, performing in internationally renowned venues including Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Milan’s Sala Verdi, Zurich’s Tonhalle, Buenos Aires’ Teatro Colón and the Grand Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia.
Despite its name, the orchestra’s repertoire extends far beyond chamber music, encompassing major symphonic works, complete Beethoven symphony cycles, concert performances of opera and innovative contemporary projects. Throughout its history it has collaborated with many of the world’s most distinguished artists, among them Maurice André, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Kirill Petrenko, David Garrett, Daniil Trifonov, Natalia Gutman and Lisa Batiashvili.
A defining feature of the orchestra is its commitment to nurturing young talent through its annual “Stars of Tomorrow” concert series, which has helped launch the careers of several internationally acclaimed musicians. Alongside its extensive concert activity, Arpeggione has produced more than twenty recordings and continues to serve as an important cultural ambassador for the city of Hohenems, the state of Vorarlberg and Austria.
Alessandra Di Giorgio – Soprano
Italian soprano Alessandra Di Giorgio graduated in both Piano and Voice from the Mannheim Conservatory of Music before launching an international career that has taken her throughout Europe. After achieving considerable success as a mezzo-soprano in leading roles including Carmen, Eboli, Amneris and Brangäne, she successfully transitioned to the dramatic soprano repertoire.
Her acclaimed performances include Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Venus in Wagner’s Tannhäuser, and the Composer in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. In 2019 she recorded the role of Santuzza for Brilliant Classics with the Berliner Symphoniker and made her debut at the prestigious Bayreuth Festival during the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Siegfried Wagner’s birth.
Alongside her operatic career, she is an accomplished interpreter of sacred music and has performed Verdi’s Requiem at major European venues including the Philharmonie de Paris, the Opéra Royal de Versailles and the Brucknerhaus Linz.
Tamta Tarielashvili – Mezzo-Soprano
Born in Tbilisi, Georgian mezzo-soprano Tamta Tarielashvili studied in Italy with some of the world’s leading vocal pedagogues, including Raina Kabaivanska and Renata Scotto. A prizewinner in several prestigious international competitions, she began her professional career with Verdi’s Luisa Miller alongside Leo Nucci, under the baton of Donato Renzetti.
Her operatic repertoire includes roles such as Amneris (Aida), Azucena (Il Trovatore), Fenena (Nabucco), Suzuki (Madama Butterfly), Ortrud (Lohengrin), Mary (Der fliegende Holländer), Herodias (Salome) and Emilia (Otello). She has appeared at major European theatres including the Arena di Verona, the Royal Danish Opera, the Staatstheater Mainz, and the state theatres of Regensburg and Meiningen.
Equally active as a concert artist, she has performed Verdi’s Requiem, Bruckner’s Te Deum and Vivaldi’s Gloria in Europe and Asia, appearing in venues including the Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Seoul and Geneva’s Victoria Hall.
Roberto Gianola – Conductor
Italian conductor Roberto Gianola enjoys an extensive international career, having conducted in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. Since 2023 he has served as Principal Conductor of the Izmir State Opera and Ballet, following nine successful seasons as Music Director of the Istanbul State Opera.
He has appeared at many of the world’s leading concert halls and opera houses, including the Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, the Seoul Arts Center, and major theatres in Hong Kong, Beijing and Macau. In Italy he has collaborated with numerous prestigious institutions, among them the Arena di Verona Foundation, Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Teatro Verdi di Trieste, the Puccini Festival, and I Pomeriggi Musicali of Milan.
His repertoire spans Italian opera, symphonic music and ballet, with recent productions including Otello, La Bohème, La Traviata, Turandot, Aida, Il Trovatore, Roméo et Juliette and The Nutcracker. Alongside his conducting career, he is the founder and Artistic Director of the Lake Como Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lake Como Music Academy, institutions dedicated to fostering musical excellence through concerts, masterclasses and international competitions. His recent highlights include a 27-concert tour of China and engagements with leading opera companies in Europe and Asia.
