The Italian Cultural Institute of Beirut, the British Council in Lebanon and the Embassy of Spain in Beirut, in collaboration with the Al Bustan International Festival of Music and Performing Arts and under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Lebanon, presents the opera Gianni Schicchi, featuring the Yerevan Youth Orchestra conducted by Maestro Gianluca Marcianò, with the participation of Laura Fortini, Gianpietro delle Grazie, and Alessandro Abis.
Artists:
Sir Bryn Terfel Gianni Schicchi
Laura Fortino Lauretta
Bechara Moufarrej Rinuccio
Bella Amaryan Zita
Sanlin Wang Gherardo
Maria Zapata Nella
Gianpiero delle Grazie Betto
Alessandro Abis Simone
Gabriel Alonso Marco
Forooz Razavi Ciesca
Fady Jeanbart Maestro Spinelloccio/Messer Amantio Notaio
Yerevan Youth Orchestra
Gianluca Marcianò Conductor
Tickets available starting Febbruary 2nd at Librairie Antoine, at Al Bustan Hotel or online.
Biographes:
Laura Fortino is a young Italian soprano, born in 2002 in Campania. She graduated with top honors from the “G. Martucci” Conservatory in Salerno. She gained recognition in the Italian opera scene with her debut as Suor Genoveffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica at Teatro Verdi in Salerno in 2023.
She has performed leading roles such as Mimì in La bohème with Opera Lab Edu, on stages including Teatro Brancaccio in Rome, Teatro F. Cilea in Reggio Calabria, and Teatro A. Rendano in Cosenza.
In 2024, she began an advanced training program at the Modena Lyric Academy. She has won several international competitions, including the Riccardo Zandonai Competition and the “Cia Opera São Paulo” Prize, which allowed her to perform in Brazil.
In 2025, she was the winner of the San Francesco di Paola International Opera Competition, receiving scholarships and invitations to international masterclasses.
Gianpiero Delle Grazie an Italian baritone, born in Mola di Bari in 1993. He began his vocal studies in 2017 and trained at the prestigious Teatro Carlo Felice Academy in Genoa, refining his technique and bel canto interpretation. His professional debut was in 2019 as Marco in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, followed by Schaunard in La bohème at Teatro F. Stabile in Potenza.
In 2022, he performed Don Geronio in Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Carlo Felice in Genoa, strengthening his presence on the Italian opera scene.
His repertoire includes works by Donizetti, Cimarosa, and Pergolesi, along with participation in masterclasses with renowned teachers. Delle Grazie also actively performs in concert seasons and opera competitions, receiving awards and new artistic engagements.
Alessandro Abis is an Italian bass, born in Cagliari in 1992. He began his vocal studies with soprano Elisabetta Scano and made his professional debut at the age of twenty-two as Angelotti in Tosca at Teatro Lirico in Cagliari. He further refined his technique with masters like Alberto Zedda at the Rossini Opera Academy in Pesaro and Lunenburg, specializing in the Rossini repertoire.
His roles include Conte Asdrubale in La pietra del paragone, Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville, and Selim in Il turco in Italia, as well as Mozart and Verdi interpretations at major Italian and international theaters.
He participated in the Young Singers Project at the Salzburg Festival and has performed alongside world-renowned artists in prestigious productions.
Gianluca Marcianò is an Italian conductor, born in La Spezia in 1976. He studied piano at the Florence Musical Academy and earned a degree in Political Science from the University of Pisa. He debuted at a young age as a pianist in competitions and recitals. His career as a conductor began in 2007 at the National Opera Theatre of Zagreb. He has conducted orchestras and ensembles across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, collaborating with internationally renowned soloists.
He is the Artistic Director of the Al Bustan International Festival in Beirut, promoting Italian classical music. Marcianò is also the Principal Conductor of the Orchestra della Magna Grecia and has led the English Chamber Orchestra and other major philharmonic orchestras.
His work focuses on opera, symphonic repertoire, and the international promotion of Italian music.