La Cantatina (1832), a completely unpublished work by Gioachino Rossini, performed for the first time in Paris in an intimate and private setting. The event recreated the atmosphere of 19th-century Parisian salons—a project produced and realized by La Compagnia della Piuma of AMAT, with the support of the MIC – Italian Ministry of Culture.
The performances took place over three evenings at Studio L’Accord Parfait, offering an intimate experience of great historical and musical value.
The musical adaptation of a novella by Boccaccio opens the “Extra Sipario” programme of the Teatri di Siena, celebrating the 650th anniversary of the death of Giovanni Boccaccio.
“Calandrino and the Magic Stone” sheds light on the world of young people—both as an audience and as young artists—a defining theme of the “Extra Sipario” programme, which is dedicated to new generations and exclusively supported by the Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Once again this year, the collaboration between AMAT and the vocal class of the “Rinaldo Franci” Conservatory is renewed, thanks to Professor Laura Polverelli. The staging is by actor and director Sergio Basile, fresh from the success of Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” last season, also produced by AMAT.
“Calandrino and the Magic Stone” is a musical novella suitable for both adults and children; a performance capable of bringing together, within a single theatrical work, the various artistic expressions of the stage: literature, theatre, music, and dance. “Here Boccaccio makes the mortal immortal, because to narrate,” explains director Sergio Basile, “means to remember, to fix something in memory. Boccaccio teaches us that human beings cannot do without storytelling. And theatre is the place par excellence where this happens. Outside of storytelling there is nothingness. Storytelling is an antidote to death. To tell stories, therefore, is to avoid dying.”
The story recounts the adventures of Calandrino, a foolish and presumptuous Florentine painter who, because of his credulity, becomes the target of three cunning and petty characters—whom today we might call “bullies.” Yet the true protagonist of the performance, around which everything revolves, is the act of storytelling itself. The staging is anything but predictable and strikingly contemporary: against the backdrop of the Black Death of 1348, ten young people flee to the countryside and begin telling each other stories. The libretto, dramaturgy, and performance are by Sergio Basile; the music is by Concetta Anastasi; the operatic cast and orchestra are by AMAT; the choreography is by the Balletto di Siena; and the set design is by the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
Siena pays tribute to the great Sienese baritone Ettore Bastianini with the launch of the “Viva Bastianini! Festival,” a new cultural project promoted by AMAT in collaboration with the Municipality of Siena, and supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Region of Tuscany.
The project was strongly envisioned by the Director of the Teatri di Siena, Vincenzo Bocciarelli, with the aim of preserving the memory of Ettore Bastianini and his artistic legacy, creating an annual event of international appeal.
The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Unione Corale Senese “Ettore Bastianini,” the Contrada della Pantera, and with the consultancy of the newly established “Viva Bastianini!” Committee. Many citizens and Bastianini scholars have also rallied to contribute to the project; among them, in addition to Francesca Lazzeroni of AMAT, are Andrea Tiribocchi, Klara Mitsova, Marcello Vanni, Luisella Franchini, and Valerio Lopane.
The Festival also aims to involve the city’s main musical institutions in a shared journey, open to proposals and a wide range of initiatives.
The programme begins on September 24, the anniversary of the artist’s birth, with a Requiem Mass at the Church of the Carmine, organized by the Contrada della Pantera with the participation of the Unione Corale Senese “Ettore Bastianini.” This is followed by the Verdi recital “Happy Birthday, Ettore” at the Teatro dei Rozzi, featuring baritone Valentino Salvini and pianist Cristiano Paluan.
On September 30, “L’Ultimo Canto” (The Last Song) arrives— a one-act play by Chiara Alivernini and Swan Bergman, the first theatrical production dedicated to Bastianini, written with historical consultancy by Luisella Franchini. On stage is Vincenzo Bocciarelli, Director of the Teatri di Siena, who also signs the direction with consultancy by Marcello Vanni, alongside Olimpia Marmoross, baritone Claudio Mugnaini, and pianist Guglielmo Pianigiani.
The 2025 programme concluded on October 26 with the lyrical-choral concert “O Sweetness, O Memories” at the Church of the Carmine, featuring the Unione Corale Senese “Ettore Bastianini” together with the Corale Marietta Piccolomini, soprano Nila Masala, and baritone Massimo Modoni. Guglielmo Pianigiani at the piano and Francesca Lazzeroni conducting.
Held annually, the Festival aims to become an international point of reference through the establishment of a lyric competition for young voices, new operatic and documentary productions, and other projects. With the “Viva Bastianini! Festival,” Siena celebrates one of its most illustrious artists and reaffirms its role as a city of music and opera.
Turning sixty next year, a multicultural band that has travelled across all continents carrying a message of unity and fraternity through the universal language of music: the Gen Rosso International Performing Arts Group returns to Siena after more than half a century. “Seeds of Peace”: there could be no more meaningful title for the initiative, on the day and in the Basilica of the saint of peace.
AMAT arrives in Siena for the final event of the 2025 summer season, presenting L’Histoire du Soldat by I. Stravinsky in Piazza San Francesco, as part of Sboccia l’estate, the season of the Teatri di Siena directed by Vincenzo Bocciarelli, who also stars in the performance.
Considered “a small opera without singing,” L’Histoire places the orchestra on stage, where it becomes an “actor” that engages in direct dialogue with the characters. A timeless story that raises many questions and invites reflection, its modern relevance lies in the Faustian theme of deception, which lends itself to compelling contemporary interpretations—fully captured by director Paola Benocci.
Alongside Vincenzo Bocciarelli in the role of Le Diable, the cast includes Enrico Costantini (the Soldier), Nicole Perfigli (the Dancer), and Paola Benocci (narrating voice and director).
AMAT’s small orchestra, conducted by Concetta Anastasi, is made up of Alberto Bologni, Barbara Betti, Tazio Borgognoni, Stefano Rocchi, Elisa Valgimigli, Fausto Antonini, and Camilla Cantara.
The choreographies by the Balletto di Siena, directed by Marco Batti, complete and enrich this production, which AMAT has been presenting since 2023.
Summer blossoms as Sboccia l’estate, the summer season of the Teatri di Siena, directed by Vincenzo Bocciarelli, brings Carmina Burana to the stage for the first time in Piazza del Campo, a unique opportunity to hear an original version of Carl Orff’s work.
The event, with free admission, is promoted by the Unione Corale Senese “Ettore Bastianini” on the occasion of the ninetieth anniversary of its founding and is staged thanks to the synergy with the Municipality of Siena, with production and artistic collaboration by AMAT.
The event is part of a broader project that began in November 2024, when the Unione Corale invited all the vocal ensembles of the Province to form a large choir, SIENA VOX UNA. It was an experience that involved intense activity, both musical and organizational, coordinated by Francesca Lazzeroni with the collaboration of Claudio Mugnaini. The months of shared study were also fundamental in strengthening the choral ensemble. “The rehearsal process that led us to the final evening is as important as the concert itself,” comments Francesca Lazzeroni. “It is a musical and human experience that places at its center the beauty of creating something meaningful together, representing our city.”
Together with the Unione Corale Senese, the grand choir includes the “Clara Armonia” Choir conducted by Tanja Kustrin; some singers from the “Marietta Piccolomini” Choral Society, conducted by Guglielmo Pianigiani; a delegation from the “Intonati e Stonati” 2.0 Choir, conducted by Paolo Gragnoli; part of the “Siena Canta” Choir, conducted by Valentina Guarnieri; some singers from AMAT’s Èurema Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Simone Pugliese; several students from the Siena Music High School; the HB White Voices Choir conducted by Antonella Scivoletto and coordinated by Ivan Morelli; and many other singers of all ages who enthusiastically joined the project.
Opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini. In the year marking the 100th anniversary of Puccini’s death, we present, following Gianni Schicchi in 2022, a dramatic opera that explores the theme of femininity from various perspectives.
Directed by Sergio Basile, with illustrations by Spartaco Ripa.
Performance for vocal ensemble a cappella and narrator. Music by Concetta Anastasi, Francesca Lazzeroni, and Simone Pugliese.
The lives and works of Dante and Galileo Galilei intertwine in a narrative and musical journey dedicated to Secondary Higher Education Institutes.
A story to play, recite, and dance; music by I. Stravinsky, directed by Paola Benocci for 3 actors, a dancer, and a chamber orchestra.
A musical story based on Histoire du Soldat.
With the special participation of the Artistic Director of the Teatri di Siena, Vincenzo Bocciarelli.
Musical fairy tale. Text and dramaturgy by Paola Benocci, music by Concetta Anastasi, inspired by the Fiabe Italiane collection by Italo Calvino. Original, unpublished music. Workshops for schools were held at the Santa Maria della Scala Museum in morning sessions, with preparation for listening to the musical fairy tale and direct involvement of the students.
Countless entertained and engaged children made our performance unforgettable; starting with the children and their involvement in the theater is one of the main goals of our work.
Staged at the Fonti di Pescaia as part of Sboccia l’estate, the summer festival of Teatri di Siena directed by Vincenzo Bocciarelli.
The Unconventional Orchestra of AMAT was directed by Maestro Concetta Anastasi and the choreography of the Balletto di Siena curated by Marco Batti.
With the participation of Vincenzo Bocciarelli, artistic director of the Siena Theaters.
Staged at the Fonti di Pescaia within Sboccia l’estate, the summer festival of Teatri di Siena directed by Vincenzo Bocciarelli. The Unconventional Orchestra of AMAT was conducted by Maestro Concetta Anastasi.
La tournée newyorkese degli Unconventional Singers di AMAT.
Il Lilia Bloom Award 2024 ha dato inizio alla serie di concerti che hanno visto il gruppo esibirsi al The Players Club e in una serie di concerti privati a Long Island.
Pop-folk concert at Brunello Temple
Starts at 7 p.m.
The Unconventional Singers at the San Gimignano International Festival 2023
Unconventional Singers
Addabbo Organ Trio
A Tra Poco Band
For more information: Programma di Sala
Presented by Loredana Lipperini
with students from the Alberti-Dante Institute of Florence
with students from the Alberti-Dante Institute of Florence
Words of Victor Hugo, Music of Nino Rota
Narrative voice, subject and direction Sergio Basile
Musical direction and arrangement Concetta Anastasi
Mezzo-soprano Francesca Lazzeroni
Orchestra Unconventional Orchetra of Amat
Production Compagnia della Piuma di Amat
– Paul Hindemith, Kleine Kammermusik op. 24 n. 2
– Josef Strauss, Brennende Liebe – Polka mazurka, op. 129
– Johann Strauss Figlio, Im Krapfenwald’l – Polka française, op. 336
– Jacques Ibert, Le Trois Pièces brèves
Opera lirica in un atto di Giacomo Puccini. Nell’anno del centesimo anniversario della morte di Puccini abbiamo proposto, dopo il Gianni Schicchi del 2022, un’opera drammatica, che vuole affrontare il tema del femminile sotto vari aspetti.
Con la regia di Sergio Basile e le tavole illustrate da Spartaco Ripa.