The tradition of Italian Opera Day in the Park

In conjunction with the celebration of the Festa della Repubblica, the Italian Republic Day, San Francisco has once again hosted Italian Opera in the Park, part of the 131st season in Golden Gate Park’s music concourse, under the direction of Michael L. Wirgler.

Presented under the auspices of Italian Community Services, Italian Day in the Park featured the Simi Cantori Opera Ensamble, performing selections by Giuseppe Verdi in honor of the 200th anniversary of Maestro’s birth.

Lead by program coordinator Maria Fassio Pignati, State President
of the Order Sons of Italy in America, the Simi Cantori Opera Ensemble performed at the Speckles Temple of Music—better known as the “Band Shell” in the Music Concourse of Golden Gate Park—for more than thirty years.

“The Simi Cantori Ensamble , of which I am a member, has been performing at Italian Day in Park since they were asked in 1982 by Augusto Troiani, who was simultaneously Director of the Italian Cemetery in Colma, and President of what was then known as the Italian Welfare Agency,” said Maria Fassio Pignati. “At that time, and for many years prior, the Italian Welfare Agency sponsored the event, and used to bring busloads of senior citizens to the park to enjoy the concert.

Following a long-standing tradition, flowers were placed at the nearby statue of Giuseppe Verdi by the Honorable Mauro Battocchi, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco. This has been done by every Consul General of Italy since the statue was dedicated in 1914 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Verdi. The statue was a gift of the Italian Community to the people of San Francisco, and was paid for by the nickels and dimes collected over a period of many years. The brainchild of famed community leader and publisher of Il Giornale L’Italia Ettore Patrizi, the statue came to symbolize Italian pride.

“Mrs. Lola Simi, founder and director of the Simi Cantori, was the musical coordinator for many years.” Said Pignati. “About three years ago, Lola handed the reins over to me, and I became the program coordinator. The Italian Community Services Agency, under Executive Director Anna Maria Pierini, continues to sponsor this yearly event.”

This year’s program was conducted by Michael L. Wirgler, and included operas by the greatest Italian composers, such as Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini, and was accompanied by great themes of cinema and old Italian classics.

The national anthems of Italy and United States opened the musical day—sung by Maria Fassio Pignati—followed by the Consul General’s welcome and introduction. After that, the Golden Gate Band performed Overture, Giovanna D’Arco (Verdi).

The operatic selection continued with Vecchia Zimarra, La Boeme (Puccini); La Ci Darem La Mano, Don Giovanni (Mozart); Parigi O Cara, La Traviata (Verdi); Vissi D’arte, Tosca (Puccini); La Donna è Mobile, Rigoletto (Verdi).

Great themes of great Italian movies included More from Mondo Cane, Funny World (Malamondo), music from Fellini’s 8 ½, Women of the World.

Among the Old Italian Favorites played there were songs from “Canzone Popolare” such as Funiculì Funiculà, Non ti scordar di me, Chitarra Romana, Arrivederci Roma, along with classics such as Meglio Stasera, Tu Vuò fa l’Americano, Godfather Medley, Quando Quando Quando, and Andrea Bocelli’s Con te Partirò.

The concert concluded with Soirèe Musicales, ballet selections from Rossini’s “Sons of my old age” as arranged by Benjamin Britten, followed by a memorable Finale with Verdi’s Va Pensiero (Nabucco) and Libiamo (La Traviata).

The Simi Cantori Opera Ensemble is composed of Soprano Maria Fassio Pignati, Tenor Erasmo Aiello, Baritone John Minagro, Popular Singer Valentina Simi, and featured accordionist Ron Borrelli.

The Golden Gate Park Band plays weekly concerts, from April through October, featuring music of specific nationalities or cultures, including costumed guest performances including dancers, singers and speakers.

The Italian-American Day, held on such a symbolic day for Italy’s history and in the Year of Italian Culture in the United States, has once again demonstrated the importance of Italian musicians and composers on the world music scene.