Concert for Peace

A concert dedicated to peace in the heart of Ascoli Piceno

The Concert for Peace is a symphonic and choral music event that takes place at the prestigious Ventidio Basso Theatre in Ascoli Piceno, in the heart of the Piceno province, in the Marche Region. The initiative is promoted by the Ascoli Cultura Foundation and stems from an idea by Ascoli-born composer Ada Gentile, a leading figure in contemporary Italian music with strong ties to her city. The concert combines the great symphonic tradition of the 20th century with a universal message of peace and brotherhood among peoples.

The musical program

The heart of the evening is a program that juxtaposes three pieces of strong expressive intensity:

• Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, one of the most famous and moving American compositions, with a meditative and solemn character;
• Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin (1924), a masterpiece that blends symphonic language with jazz influences;
• Un'ansia di pace (An Anxiety for Peace) by Ada Gentile (2000), a work of great spiritual intensity with texts by Salvatore Quasimodo and Ivana Manni, performed in its world premiere in Rome during the closing concert of the Great Jubilee. The central part of the composition features a melody dedicated to all the children in the world who have died due to wars.

The performers

Numerous artists and ensembles take the stage at the Ventidio Basso: the Orchestra delle Cento Città of Rome, conducted by Maestro Mirko Roverelli, accompanied by four choirs from Ascoli Piceno, Roseto, and Pescara. The ensemble is completed by pianist Monaldo Braconi, percussionist Ludovico Venturini, soprano Annalisa Di Ciccio, and the reciting voices of Pamela Olivieri and Francesco Eleuteri. The presentation of the evening is entrusted to Donatella Ferretti.

A universal message

More than just a concert, the event is an opportunity for collective reflection. Ada Gentile's work expresses a concrete pursuit of lasting peace that can unite all people, beyond differences in language, religion, culture, and tradition. The civic value of the initiative is underscored by the patronage of the Municipality of Ascoli Piceno and the support of local associations in the Piceno area.

The Ventidio Basso Theatre

The setting for the event is one of the most important theatres in the Marche region: the Ventidio Basso Theatre, an 18th-century gem located in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno, the city of travertine marble, famous for its architecture and Piazza del Popolo. Attending the Concert for Peace also means experiencing the elegant and intimate atmosphere of one of the most beloved historic venues in the Piceno area.