Ennio Morricone

To approach Piazza Bra from Porta Nuova Verona station and behold the Arena is truly a thing of wonder. This amazing amphitheatre built in the first century, still holds true, standing both the test of time and above all human trials and tribulations. In ancient times it held over 30,00 people but now, security reasons ( indeed, there is a notable army presence in the Piazza) means maximum attendance is around 15,000 people, as is the case tonight for Ennio Morricone and his ‘60 Years of World Music’ tour.

Ennio Morricone, born in 1928, is an Italian composer, one of the most versatile certainly and influential most definitely of all time. It is safe to say that each and every one of us be they an artist or fan, of the art that is music, owes if not a debt at least a nod of appreciation to EM. To have such an eclectic, superlative, worthy body of work is a thing, like the Arena of Verona, of sheer wonder .It is a true blessing to partake in the event tonight.

On stage over 150 people, comprising choir and musicians, silently, first align themselves, and then sit, some fidgeting in their seats, others tuning instruments, only to stand along with the public as the Maestro ambles on stage, slightly bent nowadays from the neck down, in a dark suit and polo neck jumper even though this summer’s night is hot and humid.

Accepting the accolades for a few brief moments, he then turns to sit on a chair, placed upon a raised part of the stage, and in an instant his body posture changes. The baton is straight, the arms extended and perfectly raised, as they will be for the next two hours as he guides the assembled musicians and singers to work in unison, to perform and celebrate the beautiful compositions of Morricone himself.

Tonight in his last ever performance in the Arena of Verona, he conducts a wide rangingchoice of compositions, from ‘The Good The Bad And The Ugly’ to ‘The Mission’, from ‘Abolisson’ to ‘Nostromo’, mainly all to be found on the compilation disc ‘Morricone 60’ released last year to coincide with the world tour. This man, who has a work ethic second to none, who has never bowed to the wanton ways of Hollywood, (he has always lived in Italy and indeed, speaks no English as his acceptance speech of the Honorary Academy Award in 2007, with Clint Eastwood interpreting, showed) has given through his talent and musical grace, sheer joy and pleasure, as is this splendid evening.

With repeated performances of ‘Baaria, ‘The Ecstasy Of Gold’ and ‘La Luz Prodigiosa’ as encores, the standing ovation is obligatory, in thanking the performers but mainly Ennio Morricone for reaching such heights where real emotions abound and soar.

As the applause dissipates into the night air, all is left is the wonder of the Arena, standing true, one’s heart aglow with love.

First Half
1. The Untouchables
2. Deborah's Theme
3. Baarìa
4. Chi mai
5. H2S
6. Metti una sera a cena
7. Croce d'amore
8. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
9. Man With a Harmonica
10. Il forte
11. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
12. The Ecstasy of Gold
13. Nostromo
14. Variazioni tropicali
15. The Silver of the Mine
Second Half
16. L'ultima diligenza di Red Rock
17. La luz prodigiosa
18. La battaglia di Algeri
19. Sacco e Vanzetti
20. Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto
21. Sostiene Pereira
22. La classe operaia va in paradiso
23. Vittime di guerra
24. Abolição
25. Gabriel's Oboe
26. Falls
27. On Earth as It Is in Heaven
Encore:
28. Baarìa
29. The Ecstasy of Gold
30. La luz prodigiosa