On 13 October 2024 the Embassy marked the 70th anniversary of the Paganini Prize with an event at which Giovanni Panebianco, the president of the Prize, and Nicola Bruzzo, the artistic director, announced the call for applications for the 58th edition of the prize and presented the jury.
Pietro Piciocchi, the deputy mayor of Genoa, and Uto Ughi, the head of the jury, were both in attendance.
The official video presenting the next competition was shown, and a ceremony was held to name Ambassador Lambertini, Irene Cervellera, Melania Rizzoli and Federica Tittarelli “Paganini Ambassadors”.
As part of the celebration, the Embassy and the Municipality of Genoa collaborated to bring the composer Niccolò Paganini’s famous violin, the “Cannone”, to London. It was played at a concert at London Guildhall by the winner of last year’s Paganini Prize, Simon Zhu, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.
“Melomaniac that I am, it is a great honour for me to receive the title of Paganini Ambassador”, said Ambassador Lambertini. “I am particularly pleased to welcome Giovanni Panebianco, the president of the Paganini Prize, and Simon Zhu, the 2023 winner, to London. Simon will be performing with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Antonio Pappano, in a concert that celebrates the friendship and collaboration between the UK and Italy. I would like to offer my compliments on the international initiatives run by the Paganini Prize, which not only promote traditional Italian music but also strengthen the image of Genoa and Italy in Europe and around the world.”
