2025 Spring Gala

The International Friends of Festival Verdi (IFFV) Spring Gala 2025 was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center in New York. This annual event serves as the U.S. announcement of the upcoming Festival Verdi in Parma, Italy, and celebrates the legacy of composer Giuseppe Verdi.

Highlights of the Evening

Parma Food Valley Aperitivo: The evening commenced with an aperitivo featuring sliced-to-order Prosciutto di Parma and the dramatic opening of an entire wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. The aperitivo concluded with a performance by Edwin Jhamal Davis, a participant in the Accademia Verdiana New York program.
Gourmet Dinner: Guests enjoyed a dinner curated by chefs Filippo Cavalli and Nicole Zerbini from Parma Quality Restaurants and in-house caterer CxRA. The menu showcased the rich culinary traditions of Parma.
Fortunino Award Presentation: Soprano Marta Torbidoni was honored with the 2025 Fortunino Award for her portrayal of Odabella in Atilla at the 2024 Festival Verdi. Marta thrilled us with arias from Nabucco and Attila before concluding with a stirring performance of “Ave Maria” from Otello.
Verdi Off After Party: The gala concluded with a DJ set by electric violinist Davide Laura (DAVOS), blending the classical with the contemporary as the lighting dimmed to the pink hue of Verdi Off and guests enjoyed drinks at the bar.

Esteemed guests included the Board of International Friends of Festival Verdi; Jim Miller (President), Brian Dore (Executive Director), Maria Gabriella Landers, Nathan Zipperian, and Eric Young; Cesare Bieller (Deputy Consul General), Stefano Nevicati (Mayor of Busseto), representatives from Teatro Regio di Parma; Luciano Messi (Superintendent), Alessio Vlad (Artistic Director), Barbara Minghetti (Curator of Verdi Off), Francesco Izzo (Program Director of Accademia Verdiana), Alessandra Foppiano (Executive Director of Parma Food Valley Foundation), representatives from the consortiums of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma; Laquita Mitchell, Daniel Biaggi, Hon. William Nardini, Stefano Albertini and many more.