Le Marche another Italy

With many opera houses soon shutting their doors for the summer, if they have not done so already, those of us who love the art form must look elsewhere. The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London will be presenting two monumental works, Berlioz’s Les Troyens and Verdi’s Otello, soon in the run-up to the Olympic games. Munich’s Bavarian State Opera is, as always, an unrivaled venue every July. Good opera will be available in Paris as well.

In the United States, apart from the always-excellent Santa Fe Opera and the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY, which has been ascendent recently under the leadership of Francesca Zambello, there are other worthy destinations.

There are other worthy festivals off the beaten path that merit your attention because they maintain a charming local flavor that is hard to find at the major destinations.

Two of my favorite lesser-known festivals are, of course, in Italy. One is in Macerata in the central region of Le Marche. This city is one’s idea of what an Italian hill town is, complete with churches, piazzas, great food and wine, and an opera festival. This one takes place in the Sferisterio, a 200-year old semi-circular stadium with a high wall that was once used for handball (above). The wall makes for superb acoustics and the productions are grand. This year, on four weekends from July 20 to August 12, you can see La Traviata, La Bohéme and Carmen.

The "Antiqua Marca Firmana" Cultural Centre, with the support of the Municipality of Fermo, "Cassa
di Risparmio di Fermo" Foundation, Carifermo SpA of Fermo, Marche Region and Fermo Province,
organizes the XIX International Violin Competition "Andrea Postacchini".
The Competition will take place in Fermo (Marche Region - Italy) from May 19th to 26th, 2012.
Violinists of all nationalities can take part in the Competition, divided into 4 categories based on the age. Each examination will be public; access and entry of public during auditions is forbidden...

The climax of the event will be Saturday, May 26 to 21, the "Concert of the winners and Award Ceremony" in the elegant and refined location of the Aquila Theatre of Fermo.
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Music fans and critics consider Saturnino (Ascoli Piceno, 1969) one of the best electric bass players on the international scene. So well respected and known is he in his native Italy that it is sufficent to just call him “Saturnino” and everyone will know to whom you refer.  Saturnino made his solo debut in 1995 with Testa di basso, an album that showcases his instrumental skills, compositional invention and eclecticism. The album was a success both with critics and the public, and the historic American label Verve included him (the only Italian artist) in their catalogue. He works as bassist and co-writer with top-selling hit Italian artists Lorenzo Jovanotti from 1991. Together they recorded eight albums...

The BB Disco Dinner is located in Grottammare (AP) near San Benedetto Del Tronto and is the largest discoteque in southern Le Marche.
BB is divided into three areas with different music, plus a restaurant area and a garden open in summer season.

At BB Disco is possible to enjoy 3 genres of music.

House music selected by the best national and international DJs performing, one after another,  at the Dj console. Revival Disco Music 70/80/90 with the entertainment of the best Italian agencies.

Last but not least, the Latino Dance Music.
In summer the BB club opens its beautiful and chic garden.
The restaurant area is  ideal place for business dinners, birthdays and even well organized for wedding's banquetings.

Eko is an Italian manufacturer of electric guitars, acoustic guitars and similar instruments, catering to professional level and manufacturing largely for export. It is located in Recanati, Marche.

Their products include classical guitars, 12-string guitars, arch top guitars, electric guitars and acoustic bass guitars.

Eko guitars gained high popularity during the rock'n'roll craze of 1960s, becoming the largest guitar exporter in Europe. Their electric models were often highly ornamented with pearl, featured 3 or 4 pickups and recognizable "rocker" switches for pickup selection. The acoustic models were popular in country and folk rock bands of the late '60s...