Uto Ughi Returns to Gargnano for Summer Concert
Gargnano celebrates the return of Uto Ughi. Having overcome the conflicts that arose in recent years with the Council led by the then-mayor Daniele Roscia, the famous violinist returns to perform on Wednesday, August 29th at the Church of San Martino: a much-anticipated event for everyone.
History and Past of Ughi’s Performances in Gargnano
The first performance by the renowned violinist in the Garda town dates back to the early 1970s. He was persuaded by then-mayor Andrea Castellani and the president of Pro Loco, Gianfranco Scarpetta, who is now in the minority in the Council.
For Gargnano, Ughi became a regular fixture, a sure crowd-puller and a notable event, envied by neighboring towns. His concerts always drew full houses, with many attendees content to listen from outside.
For a long time, the violinist was spoiled and indulged, encouraged to reserve some space to satisfy Gargnano, Lake Garda, and Brescia amidst a flurry of requests from around the world.
His willingness was never lacking; the violinist performed both in the parish church and in the «Sala Mozart» (usually a warehouse belonging to the brothers Magrograssi), or on invitation from the Comune di Gargnano or within other «venues» such as the Garda summer season.
The Conflict and Ughi’s Return
Some years ago, a spark between the musician and Roscia led to the end of their collaboration. The dispute centered around a house Ughi owns in Muslone (a hilltop hamlet of Gargnano) and the expansion of a room intended as an auditorium.
This was a complex issue, one that the Gargnano administrators prefer not to revisit, concluding at the time with a couple of comments that sounded almost final: “I will no longer perform in Gargnano,” declared the artist; “For us, all citizens are equal,” replied Roscia.
Now, much has changed in the relationship between the City Administration, renewed after the elections of May 13th, and the violinist, who returns to Muslone to rest, not shying away from some trips into the hinterland.
«Raking up the past is useless, and I have no intention of doing so,» explains Enrico Bembo, vice-mayor and cultural assessor of Gargnano. «Better to turn the page.»
We also believe that all citizens deserve equal attention, but it’s undeniable that Ughi is an internationally renowned figure and that collaboration is appropriate.
What excites us most is the certainty that Uto Ughi will return to perform in Gargnano.
Concert Details and Participants
In the concert on August 29th, the violinist will perform Luigi Boccherini’s «La casa del diavolo», Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor (from «L’estro armonico»), and will conclude with Niccolò Paganini’s Number 1 in D Major concerto.
As usual, Ughi will play on a «Guarneri del Gesù», a violin from 1744 made by Giuseppe Guarneri.
Joining Ughi in Gargnano will be French violin soloist Maryse Regard, who is no stranger to the stage of the Garda town. The concert will also feature «I Filarmonici di Roma» (formerly Orchestra da Camera Santa Cecilia).
Tickets (1,000 available at 45,000 lire each) can be purchased at the «Pro Loco» of Gargnano (office in the square in front of the harbor, on the ground floor of the former town hall).
