(19 April, 2017) The Italian Cultural Institute of Beirut is promoting the Lebanon Philaharmonic Orchestra’s and the Chorus of the University Antonianum’s production of Rossini’s Barber of Seville at the St. Joseph Church in Beirut on Friday April 21st at 20:30. The direct is Maestro Rev. P. Toufic Maatouk and it stars three Italian singers: Daniele Zanfardino, Francesco Vultaggio, and Luca Dall’Amico. The concert was organised by the National Superior Music Conservatory of Lebanon and by the University Antonianum of Beirut. Stage design and costumes were by Roberto Catalano and Maria Ariemme (Sartoria PIPI) respectively. (Red)

ICI BEIRUT

The Italian Cultural Institute of Beirut was founded in 1952 and has always remained open during the civil war years (1975-1990). When Beirut was divided into East and West Beirut, another branch was opened at Zouk Mikhael- a predominantly Christian area. Another informal chapter was opened at the St. Elie of the Carmelitan Fathers of Tripoli. The constant presence has created a climate of esteem and trust among local, institutional, and non-institutional spokespersons that consider the institute an essential member of the community. The Cultural Institute’s first director was Professor Martino Mario Moreno (1952-1956); an Arab scholar and connoisseur of local culture to whom we owe an extraordinary translation of the Qu’ran in Italian. Fifty years since its founding, Italy wishes to commemorate his work by renaming the Italian Cultural Institute of Beirut “Martino Mario Moreno Italian Cultural Institute” on 28 October, 2005.