(VEE) MOSCOW FOCUSES ON ITALY WITH VERDI AND RAPHAEL

(VELINO) Roma, 30 May - La Scala is performing at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow from Sept. 10 to 16 in the "National Cherry Festival". The programme features operas and music by Giuseppe Verdi, and includes Verdi's Requiem, an orchestral concert and a performance of the opera "Simon Boccanegra". Italy's Ambassador to Russia Cesare Maria Ragaglini told a press conference in Moscow: "The arrival of La Scala at the Bolshoi next September has all the hallmarks of being one of the highest points in the 50-year relationship between the theatres, given the quality and number of performances, and probably the most outstanding of the last 20 years. We are delighted to have played a part in this virtuous triangle between La Scala, the Bolshoi and 'The Cherry Orchard'. Italy will be the focus of Moscow's cultural scene [in coming months] because we will also be launching a major Raphael exhibition at the Pushkin Museum." vel
.