Lina Aimaro Bertasi Memorial Foundation Hosts Tribute Night in Sirmione

A tribute to Lina Aimaro Bertasi

An evening dedicated to music in memory of a great figure of lyric singing: Lina Aimaro Bertasi. Became renowned as a soprano in the 1930s-40s, and at the end of her career settled on Lake Garda. In Lugana di Sirmione, she built the Kursaal-Aimaro theater, where she was recently honored.

Here, in addition to teaching, she successfully promoted prestigious lyric concerts and international competitions over the years. Lina Aimaro Bertasi passed away after a long illness on January 14 of last year. In her will, she wished to establish a Foundation dedicated to the development of bel canto, a fundamental quality for her career as an opera singer.

The structure and leadership of the Foundation

The foundation was eventually established. Its headquarters are located in the same Kursaal theater. The president is Rino Volpi, who was close to the soprano during the last years of her life. The cultural sector of this organization is managed by Mario Arduino, a journalist and writer, former mayor of Sirmione, and by Professor Michele Nocera, a music critic and biographer of Aimaro herself and other renowned artists.

The relationship with public entities is managed by Gabriele Busi. The administration is entrusted to Ercole Gagliano. The first act of the Foundation was to promote an evening to honor the late artist.

The tribute evening

The evening was opened by an introduction from Nocera, followed by a speech from Arduino. Afterwards, the concert featured Martha Colalillo, an internationally renowned dramatic soprano, who performed «Ritorna vincitor» from Verdi’s Aida, the death scene from Ponchielli’s Gioconda, the Habba Nera from Bizet’s Carmen, and in an exclusive premiere, a piece usually reserved for tenors: Granada.

Finally, with the San Biagio Choir of Rivoltella, conducted by Antonio Albiero, the evocative «Vergine degli Angeli» from Verdi’s Forza del Destino. The Choir performed masterfully Handel’s Hallelujah, Beethoven’s «Rest with us», and the Nabucco Chorale. Pianist Michela Forgiane accompanied the performance.