Franco Battiato and Lucio Dalla Tribute Concert – 'Caro amico… ti vengo a cercare' Award

A tribute in Battiato's village

The Franco Battiato and Lucio Dalla Tribute Concert is one of the most heartfelt events of the summer in Milo, a small town in the Province of Catania perched on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily. This is where Franco Battiato, who passed away in 2021, chose to live and compose: Milo was his creative and spiritual home, and the community has sought to preserve his memory with an event that celebrates him every August alongside his great friend and colleague, Lucio Dalla.

The evening at the Teatro Lucio Dalla

The concert takes place at the Teatro Lucio Dalla, the open-air venue named after the Bolognese singer-songwriter. The musical heart of the evening is the Ethos Orchestra, an ensemble of over thirty musicians conducted by Maestro Daniele Zappalà, accompanying guests through symphonic arrangements of the artists' most beloved songs: from Battiato's masterpieces like La cura and Centro di gravità permanente to Dalla's classics such as Caruso, Piazza Grande, and Anna e Marco.

The 'Caro amico… ti vengo a cercare' award

Alongside the concert, the 'Caro amico… ti vengo a cercare' award—named after a famous line by Lucio Dalla—is presented. The recognition is aimed at young talents and schools in the Ionian-Etna area, highlighting students who promote the cultural identity of Etna: a way to keep the bond between the two masters' music and the new generations alive, year after year.

A growing tradition

Launched in 2022, the tribute has quickly become a classic of the Milo summer, under the artistic direction of Alfio Zappalà and organized by the Pro Loco of Milo, with the patronage of the Municipality of Milo and the Sicilian Region. Over the years, the stage has hosted artists such as Morgan, I Lautari, Leo Gassmann, Giovanni Caccamo, Amara, and Bianca Atzei, cementing the event as one of the most anticipated dates on the Etnean calendar. For those visiting eastern Sicily in the summer, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic village at the foot of the volcano and immerse themselves in the intimate, refined atmosphere that Battiato loved.