LaPaganini Orchestra Honors Giancarlo Giannini at Matera Film Festival

Under the starlit Lucania Film Festival sky, the Nocera-based LaPaganini orchestra, conducted by Maestro Luca Gaeta, captivated the audience with a memorable performance dedicated to acclaimed actor Giancarlo Giannini. Chosen to provide the musical backdrop for the festival’s 18th edition, the orchestra, under the artistic direction of Maestro Pietro Sellitto, performed at the TILT Creativity Center in Marconia. This prestigious event coincided with Giannini’s “lectio magistralis,” a career retrospective delivered following his honorary citizenship award in Pisticci. Following the concert, Giannini joined Manuela Gieri, the evening’s moderator from the University of Basilicata, on stage. In a charming exchange, he credited Ettore Scola for launching his career, playfully interacting with a young girl, and contrasting the imaginative spirit of Italian actors with their American counterparts. He reminisced about discussions on neorealism with Roberto Rossellini during Roman walks, and expressed his admiration for Rita Pavone and Mina, calling them naturally gifted artists. Responding to Gieri’s observation about the impact of his voice— likened to that of Jack Nicholson— Giannini humorously confessed to his own admiration for Nicholson. He affirmed the transformative power of cinema, while simultaneously declaring, “Cinema is dead,” prompting a dialogue on his extensive career. He imparted valuable insights: “Money alone never made great films,” and suggested, “Art must always transcend reality.” The LaPaganini orchestra’s program included Vivaldi’s Cello Concerto in C minor and Violin Concerto in A minor, followed by film scores such as Ennio Morricone’s “The Pianist on the Ocean,” selections from “Cinema Paradiso” and “Schindler’s List,” and “What a Wonderful World.” The enthusiastic response culminated in thunderous applause, shouts of “Go Nocera Inferiore!”, and an encore— a rare exception to the orchestra’s “no repeats” policy— featuring “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” enjoyed by Giannini from a seat stage-right. Photography courtesy of the Lucania Film Festival and Gennaro Sellitti.