Josep Carreras honored in Oderzo (Opera in Piazza) with the Giuseppe Di Stefano International Award 2018

As previously announced, Josep Carreras has been honored with the Giuseppe Di Stefano International Award 2018 last Saturday, 14 July. 

On occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Italian tenor's passing after a long and painful agony, the commitee opted for Josep Carreras due to the special relationship he had with his idol Giuseppe Di Stefano, their friendship and mutual esteem.

Adua Veroni, Enrico Stinchelli, Miro Solman, Mariagrazia Patella, Josep Carreras, Maria Chiara

For this reason, he was invited to the Oderzo International Festival, Opera in Piazza, to attend an open air performance of Il Trovatore, which unfortunately had to be postponed to the day after due to bad weather. 

However, about two hours before the scheduled time for the performance, he joined Piazza Grande, the venue of the Festival, where he unveiled an impressive mosaic portraying Giuseppe Di Stefano, which will be soon moved to Santa Maria Hoè, where Di Stefano was buried.

After that, a short press conference was held in order to give the journalists a chance to interview the iconic guest, who then received a bottle of an extremely popular local white wine, as a gift: the bottle was delivered by Mariagrazia Patella, President of Opera in Piazza, Maestro Miro Solman, tenor and Artistic Director of the Oderzo International Festival, and their son Miro.

Unexpectedly, the awarding ceremony had to be held in the private residence after dinner. Next to the President, Mariagrazia Patella, the committee was represented by Adua Veroni, first wife of Luciano Pavarotti, great Italian soprano Maria Chiara, and Enrico Stinchelli, presenter of the radio program La Barcaccia and theatrical director. 

During her speech, Mariagrazia Patella explained the reason why they chose Carreras for such a special edition of the Di Stefano International Award, and how much Di Stefano loved him and considered him his "direct heir" as far from the tenor's point of view. She recalled a recital which had taken place in Filetto in 1985, in which Di Stefano announced Carreras on stage by saying "Tonight all the ovations are for José Carreras", and did not forget to emphasise his extraordinary task in the fight against leukaemia through his International Foundation, which celebrated 30 years that very day.

Carlo Fontana, former Artistic Director of the Teatro alla Scala who could not attend the ceremony due to other important commitments, sent a congratulation message to Josep Carreras in which he pointed out his unique qualities as a tenor and performer, and how much he reminded young Di Stefano the first time he had heard him singing during his debut at the Teatro alla Scala back in 1975; for all this, he said he was sure that Giuseppe Di Stefano would totally agree with such a deserved recognition.

After that, Josep Carreras was gifted with a massive bust of Giuseppe Di Stefano, which he is going to cherish in his house.

 

Once again, he stressed the role Giuseppe Di Stefano still has in his whole life. Of course he did not miss the chance to show his gratitude to the President, and all the committee and team, for such meaningful award and congratulated her for what she does every year to keep the memory of Pippo Di Stefano alive with a very special Festival named after him.