Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore is a central square in Bologna, region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The appearance in the 21st century, generally reflects the layout from the 15th century. The Northwest corner opens into Piazza del Nettuno with its Fontana del Nettuno, while the Northeast corner opens into the narrower Piazza Re Enzo, running along the flanks of the Palazzo Re Enzo that merges with the Palace of Podestà. Flanking the Piazza del Nettuno is the Biblioteca Salaborsa.

Layout

The square is surrounded by major administrative and religious buildings in the history of Bologna, including:

Coordinates: 44°29′37.77″N 11°20′33.83″E / 44.4938250°N 11.3427306°E / 44.4938250; 11.3427306

Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano

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The Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano (English: Little Choir of Antoniano) is an Italian children's choir from Bologna.

Story

The choir was created by Mariele Ventre in 1963 in Antoniano Institute to sing together with little kids at the Zecchino d'Oro festival, opened only five years earlier. In the very beginning there were only several kids in the choir but it changed very fast and the choir became very big (up to about 80 children at some time).

In 1995, after Ventre's death the choir was taken by Sabrina Simoni and changed its name to Piccolo Coro "Mariele Ventre" dell' Antoniano.

The children sing lots of very different songs: children songs, classical songs, classic of pop songs, movie songs, etc.

Since November 22, 2003, they are Italian Good Will Ambassadors.

External links

Bologna

Bologna (/bəˈloʊnjə/ bə-LOHN-yə; Italian pronunciation: [boˈloɲɲa]; Emilian: Bulåggna, pronounced [buˈlʌɲːa]; Latin: Bononia) is the largest city (and the capital) of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Italy. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy, located in the heart of a metropolitan area (officially recognized by the Italian government as a città metropolitana) of about one million.

The first settlements date back to at least 1000 BC. The city has been an urban centre, first under the Etruscans (Velzna/Felsina) and the Celts (Bona), then under the Romans (Bononia), then again in the Middle Ages, as a free municipality (for one century it was the fifth largest European city based on population). Home to the oldest university in the world,University of Bologna, founded in 1088, Bologna hosts thousands of students who enrich the social and cultural life of the city. Famous for its towers and lengthy porticoes, Bologna has a well-preserved historical centre (one of the largest in Italy) thanks to a careful restoration and conservation policy which began at the end of the 1970s, on the heels of serious damage done by the urban demolition at the end of the 19th century as well as that caused by wars.

Mariele Ventre

Maria Rachele Ventre (July 16, 1939, Bologna – December 16, 1995) was an Italian musician and singer, the founder and director of Italian children's choir Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano.

Biography

Mariele Ventre was born in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, from Lucanian immigrants.

She was nominated and rewarded with many awards for her work with and for children. She died in Bologna. Three weeks before her death, she directed the choir and young soloists at 38th Zecchino d'Oro international festival of songs for children. Now, the choir is directed by Sabrina Simoni, formerly Ventre's assistant.

Antonella Boriani and Gianmarco Gualandi dedicated a song to her, titled "Mariele chi è?" (Who is Mariele?) sung by the Piccolo Coro Mariele Ventre dell'Antoniano on 22 November 2005 (video available at this page).

External links

Ezio Bosso

Ezio Bosso (Turin, Italy 13 September, 1971) is one of the most influential living composers and classical musicians and conductors. An infant prodige, he learned reading music and playing before the age of four. By the age of 14 and for three years he was the official bass player of Italian band Statuto. Soon after that experience, Bosso left a possible pop career for classical music, soon becoming one of the most appreciated orchestra conductors (such as The London Symphony Orchestra) and composers. Winner of various prestigious awards, like the Australian Green Room Award, the Syracuse NY Award, two David of Donatello, his compositions appear in choreographies, theatres and movies.

References