The town of Ravello, jewel of the Amalfi Coast, has finally inaugurated its auditorium, designed by 102-year old Brasilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Unfortunately, due to his age, Niemeyer will be unable to attend the opening events, which kick off with saxophonist Nicola Alesini at mid-day on the 30 th January 2010, followed by Beethoven in the evening with the San Carlo Orchestra of Naples, conducted by David Afkham, and a Vivaldi recital by world-famous violinist Salvatore Accardo the following day.
The Auditorium had a long and difficult birth. The town council of Ravello commissioned Niemeyer to design the concert hall ten years ago and the model was presented in September 2000. Environmental agencies, however, opposed the project on the grounds that the entire Amalfi Coast is a protected area. A committee pro-auditorium was set up, supported by many big names in the music world and in the end, Ravello won the battle.
The building, likened to a curled white sheet of paper poised high above the sea by architect Massimiliano Fuksas (who is at present busy building Romes revolutionary new conference centre known as the Cloud) now takes its place among Oscar Niemeyer world famous creations, which include the National theatre, the Cathedral and the Pampulha quarter of Brazilia.
