On 2nd June I was appointed Cavaliere dell’Ordine “al Merito della Repubblica Italiana”, by decree of the President of the Italian Republic, for outstanding service to the nation in the field of art. The ceremony took place during the Italian Republic Day celebrations organised by the Italian Vice Consul at Arona, at the Archaeological Museum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, where I have lived for some time.

The honour was bestowed by Vice Consul Gianluca Cappelli Bigazzi, who also gave a warm welcome speech.

It is a great honour for me to be appointed Cavaliere della Repubblica, firstly because the award comes from President Sergio Mattarella, head of the Order, whom I hold in great esteem, but also because the nomination came from the institutions of Brescia to whom I am grateful for their attention to my career.
At this time, my thoughts go to my family and, above all, to my parents, to whom I dedicate this honour, because with their example they ploughed the furrow for me to follow, first of all as a person and a citizen.
I am grateful to Vice Consul Gianluca Cappelli Bigazzi for the welcome he gave me and for his gratifying choice of words in describing me and my career as a conductor.
I would like to thank the guests from Italy and Spain who took part with me in the Italian Republic Day celebrations.

Photo © Vice Consolato d’Italia ad Arona