By: Ashmar Mandou

The work of Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci (1917-2013) will soon come to life on a global scale as the Cardinale Bartolucci Foundation in Rome, Italy begins its plan to debut the Opera of “Brunelleschi,” written by Cardinal Bartolucci that pays tribute to the life of Renaissance architecture, Filippo Brunelleschi, who is renowned for his work designing the dome of the Church of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, Italy 600 years ago. “Cardinal Bartolucci wrote this beautiful opera full of Christian messages of faith and love about the life and work of one of Italy’s most famous architects, Brunelleschi,” said Executive Director of the Cardinale Bartolucci Foundation in Rome Alessandro Biciocchi, who was in town early this month to meet with Latino Art Beat Executive Director Don Rossi Nuccio, who is also helping in the planning process. “The Cardinal was inspired by the life of Brunelleschi, it’s a fascinating opera, it’s inspirational and the Cardinal was a very talented man and we are proud to bring his life’s work to the stage.”

Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446), considered a founding father of Renaissance architecture, was an Italian architect, designer, and sculptor, and is now recognized to be the first modern engineer, planner, and sole construction supervisor. He is most famous for designing the dome of the Florence Cathedral, a feat of engineering that had not been accomplished since antiquity. Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci was an Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was the former director of the Sistine Chapel Choir and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, and was recognized in the field of music both as a director and a prolific composer.

Currently, the Cardinale Bartolucci Foundation is in the process of bringing the Opera Brunelleschi to life on the world stage in late 2022 in Florence, Italy. “The challenge of bringing this opera to life is that we don’t know what the world will be in the next year. This past year presented many challenges across the globe in terms of lockdowns and restrictions. We hope the coming year will prove to be one where we can showcase this work because we know the impact music has on people, music touches people in a profound and personal way and we want people all over the world, and of course, the people in Chicago to enjoy the beautiful piece of opera the Cardinal created,” said Biciocchi.

“The opera has many lessons of love, faith, and has beautiful messages of Christianity that we hope resonates with everyone. When we are ready to debut this work, we hope the people of Chicago will come to Florence to see it for themselves.” Currently, the Foundation is in the preliminary stages of planning and enlisted the help of Don Rossi, who through his organization Latino Art Beat has garnered the experience of putting together large scale productions and art competitions. “Although the work that we do at Latino Art Beat honors the work and heritage of our Latino community, our organization also celebrates heritage and history of all backgrounds. This project serves beneficial for our Latino youth to learn and appreciate other cultures,” said Rossi Nuccio. To learn more, visit www.fondazionebartolucci.it/en/

Caption: Church of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy
Foto #1 Don Rossi Nuccio, President Latino Art Beat and Alessandro Biciocchi, Executive Director of the Fondazione Bartolucci, Rome
Foto #2 Don Rossi Nuccio, President Latino Art Beat and Alessandro Biciocchi, Executive Director of the Fondazione Bartolucci, Rome and Fred Weinert, former President of Waste Management, International
Foto #3 Alessandro Biciocchi, Executive Director of the Fondazione Bartolucci, Rome with brochure of Fondazione Bartolucci at Don’s Steinway piano