On the warm evening of July 4, the elegant interior of the Asmara Opera House was transformed into a little corner of Italy, as guests gathered for an exceptional performance by Aperitivo Italiano, an Italian musical ensemble currently on its 2025 world tour. Organized in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Eritrea, the concert was hosted by the Eritrean Commission of Sports and Culture.
Though it was raining outside, seats filled quickly. The concert began at 7:00 p.m., and, much like its namesake—the Italian tradition of aperitivo, where light snacks and drinks are served to whet the appetite before dinner— the evening offered an artistic appetizer: a delectable sampling of Italy’s musical heritage from the past century. But instead of olives and sparkling wine, audiences were treated to a rich spread of melody, nostalgia, and rhythm, with selections drawn from the golden decades of the 1940s to 1960s, and a few contemporary gems sprinkled in for good measure.
At the center of this melodic feast was a stellar trio of musicians whose chemistry and skill brought the repertoire to life. The evening unfolded with Marco Rossin on saxophone, Francesco Clemente on the violin, and Alessandro Vuono on piano. Rounding out the ensemble was the charming and talented vocalist, Velia Ricciardi. All four musicians, though hailing from different backgrounds, united by their love of Italian music, brought a distinctive voice and style, creating a dynamic and very engaging performance.
Marco Rossini’s saxophone was a voice in itself. His playing was deeply emotional, lyrical, and full of longing. By turns introspective and soaring, his rendition of pieces like ‘Napule e’ and ‘Il cielo in una stanza’ brought a soulful, expressive tone to the stage. Opposite him stood Francesco Clemente, concertmaster of the prestigious Sanremo Festival Orchestra, whose violin playing added elegance and sharpness to the melodies. Alessandro Vuono’s piano playing provided the heartbeat of the trio. As pianist of the Bel Canto Ensemble, he brought energetic flair and technical finesse to every number. His keys danced through the jazzy rhythm of Via con me, sparkled in the lively Ba ba baciami piccina, and thundered with gusto during the bold finale. Velia Ricciardi proved equally commanding in her role as lead vocalist. Her voice was versatile and engaging, intimate in romantic ballads like “Perdere l’amore” and exuberant in lively classics like “Mambo Italiano” and “Tu vuo fa l’americano.” Whether crooning or swinging, she effortlessly crossed eras and genres.
Together, the ensemble presented original jazz-inflected arrangements of Italy’s most cherished songs. Their repertoire was a cross-generational bouquet of melodies by some of the country’s greatest musical icons: Andrea Bocelli, Lucio Dalla, Renato Carosone, Lucio Battisti, Paolo Conte, Massimo Ranieri, Domenico Modugno, and Fred Buscaglione, among others.
Alternating between heartfelt ballads and playful serenades, the evening’s program read like a love letter to Italian music. The audience was treated to iconic hits like Azzuro, Mambo Italiano, Perdere l’amore, Il cielo in una stanza, Via con me, and Con te partiro. From the dreamy ballad Una lacrima sul viso to the infectious whimsy of Tu vuo fa l’americano, each piece was carefully selected and lovingly interpreted to evoke memory and emotion.
As the final notes of the planned program faded, the crowd, moved by the energy of the performance, gave thunderous applause and called for an encore. Smiling and quite happy to oblige, the quartet returned to the stage and launched into Volare, possibly the most universally loved Italian song of all time. The audience erupted in delight. Some guests sang along, others clapped to the rhythm, and everyone shared in the collective joy that music brings out. It was an exhilarating conclusion to a marvellous concert. Indeed, the entire performance was a warm and delightful musical journey set against the intimate backdrop of the stylish Asmara Opera House.
But the evening held one more surprise. As a gesture of appreciation, the Commission of Sports and Culture presented each of the four musicians with a Gabi – a traditional woven fabric worn in Eritrea during special occasions. The ensemble received the gifts with gratitude and visible emotion, wrapping themselves in the soft white cloths as cameras flashed and applause resumed. For those lucky enough to have attended, Aperitivo Italiano’s lively Jazz/Soul-infused concert offered a nourishing cultural and artistic experience that delighted the senses and lingered long after the final “Volare” had been sung.