Berlin - The Italian Embassy in Berlin hosted an evening dedicated to Giacomo Puccini as part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of his death. The event is part of a series of official events promoted by the National Committee for Puccini Celebrations, an organization founded in 2022 and chaired by conductor Alberto Veronesi. Precisely on this occasion, on March 31st, the Season of Popular Concerts of the Berlin Philharmonic will dedicate its traditional Easter Concert in the Grand Hall of the historic Philharmonic to Puccini. After the greetings from Ambassador Armando Varricchio, speeches were given by Mario Pardini, Mayor of Lucca and President of the Giacomo Puccini Foundation, Maestro Riccardo Cecchetti, Artistic Director of the Virtuoso & Belcanto Festival, Maestro Alberto Veronesi of the National Puccini Committee, and Helen Müller, Head of Cultural Affairs at the German multinational Bertelsmann. In her speech, Müller presented for the first time the exhibition "Opera Meets New Media," curated by Archivio Ricordi. Following this, a concert in homage to Puccini was held by the Virtuoso & Belcanto Festival of Lucca: the talented Anna Cimmarusti and Rosa Vingiani performed, accompanied on piano by Maestro Cecchetti, with narration by Debora Pioli. Other highlights of the evening included the composer's homeland, showcased in a panel exhibition curated by the Tuscany Northwest Chamber of Commerce. (9colonne)