American friends and the Fortunino Prize

It bears the acronym International Friends of Festival Verdi (Iffv) and is the non-profit association, founded in the United States in 2017, with a hundred or so members - personalities from finance, publishing, business - who liberally support the Parma festival, as well as the Teatro Regio. The main aim of these overseas patrons, besides fundraising, which last year reached two million euros, is the promotion of new studies and research on Verdi's music, including appropriate education and performance strategies.

The Fortunino Award - named after the composer's middle name - is the prize that the Iffv will present at New York's Lincoln Center next spring to young talent that has emerged from the Festival. Already crowned 'Best Festival' at the International Opera Awards. And with a Sroi (Social Return On Investment) of 3.2: a record for the 2024 edition. (C.M.)