Doctors turn to music: Animula Gospel Singers raise funds in Verona

Doctors on the front line… Not in hospital rooms, but on stage performing in ways that have nothing to do with their profession. The Animula Gospels Singer is a distinguished polyphonic group, composed of talented voices and an entirely new instrumental lineup. Men in white coats, professionals with scalpels who, out of professional ethics, care deeply about healing bodies. But as perfectionists of their craft, they decided to offer a 360-degree service by also focusing on healing the spirit.

A continuous cycle where work, with a capital L, naturally blends outside office hours with a passion for music that benefits everyone. Fulvio Leopardi, 35, a surgeon at Borgo Trento, emphasizes the importance of keeping the two separate. We appreciate all the interest around our group, and since many of us work within hospital structures, it makes things more intriguing. However, I wouldn’t want this to overshadow the talent of our excellent choristers, who have nothing to do with our medical world.

The Animula concert

The pianist of Animula has every reason to speak confidently, and with his velvety hands—could it be otherwise?—he sets the tone for the concert. The spacious Gritti hotel hall shows some empty seats, but those who accepted the invitation from Lions Club Garda Benacus, led by Luigi Chiamenti, left happy and satisfied. After all, the band led by Roberto Leopardi, Fulvio’s cousin, is a true bundle of charisma.

He energizes and involves the audience with well-known gospel songs, while also featuring moments of musical reflection, entrusted to the voice of the blonde Francesca Marangoni, supported by Federica Mazzocchi, Chiara Marini, Roberto Nardone, Cinzia Calvaruso, Chiara Morandi, and Rita Dal Negro. Joining them is Luca Leopardi, an electronic engineer and Roberto’s brother. But it is Roberto, a 37-year-old teacher of literature and religion at Don Mazza in Verona, who is the real star of the Singers.

The dynamic performer on stage, calm and composed once offstage, it was his idea in March 1998 to involve relatives, friends, and acquaintances to form a gospel group. The formation also includes the 45-year-old doctor from the Bardolino district, Gabriele La Rosa (electric guitar), Luca Roncoletta, an analyst at Borgo Trento (acoustic guitar), and his colleague Bobo Facchinetti. No, I have no nerves about getting on stage, says Bobo, a well-known drummer also featured at the Verona Jazz Festival.

The name of the group has been noted by many music critics. Sometimes I thought about quitting my hospital job to dedicate myself fully to drumming, but in the end, my professional obligations always prevailed.

All of them promptly accepted the invitation from Luigi Chiamenti, a dentist from Garda, to perform free of charge in the towns along the Riviera degli Olivi to raise funds for Abeo (Associazione bambini ematologici e oncologici). A tangible example in the fight to win. The next event is scheduled for this evening (Sunday, June 25) at Castello di Brenzone at 9 p.m.