Mamma – Tribute to Luciano Pavarotti and Henry Mancini ⎮Modena, 2026
On October 12, 2026, on the occasion of the anniversary of Maestro Luciano Pavarotti’s birth and as part of the Belcanto Festival, the Foundation named after him paid tribute to the great tenor with an evocative concert open free of charge to the public at the Teatro Comunale Pavarotti-Freni.
The event presented the tribute concert “MAMMA: Tribute to Luciano Pavarotti and Henry Mancini.” The program celebrated the extraordinary artistic and personal partnership between the tenor from Modena and the legendary American composer—author of immortal masterpieces such as Moon River and the soundtracks to The Pink Panther and Breakfast at Tiffany’s—a collaboration that gave rise to the successful recording projects Mamma and Volare.
The evening event was preceded by the official naming ceremony of the Conservatory of Modena and Carpi after Maestro Luciano Pavarotti. As previously announced, the Higher Institute for Musical Studies has officially changed its name following final approval from the Ministry of University and Research. This new naming marks a symbolic passing of the torch: the historic name “Vecchi-Tonelli,” chosen in 2006 following the merger of the institutes dedicated to composers Orazio Vecchi and Antonio Tonelli, gives way to a global icon and symbol of the Emilia region. The inaugural ceremony, open to the public, was held in the presence of the Conservatory’s leadership, local authorities, and the Minister of University and Research, Sen. Anna Maria Bernini.
The musical program of the Mamma concert featured the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Matteo Parmeggiani, accompanying young opera talents supported internationally by the Foundation: Giuseppe Infantino, Emanuele Pellegrini, and Eva Macaggi.
Giuseppe Infantino, in particular, is an artist very dear to the audience in Modena. His presence on stage perfectly embodied the deep bond between the two institutions: discovered at a very young age in Sicily and awarded by Nicoletta Mantovani, the tenor moved to Modena to actively take part in the Foundation’s activities and refine his skills at the Conservatory under the masterly guidance of Raina Kabaivanska. His performance thus ideally sealed the synergy and shared journey between the Foundation and the Conservatory in the name of Luciano Pavarotti.
Special guests of the evening were tenor Galeano Salas, a young opera talent already acclaimed on prestigious international stages, and the very young cellist Charlotte Melkonian.
Photo credit: Gianluca naphtalina Camporesi
