Ladies and Gentlemen, dear guests, it is with great pleasure that together with my wife Sabina I welcome you all to this Residence, a place rich in history and deeply connected to the arts. This evening, we have the privilege of listening to Mina Aoki Girardelli, a young violinist whose musical journey symbolizes the close cultural ties between Italy and Japan.
Mina’s exceptional talent was first recognized by the renowned violinist Boris Belkin, when she was only 14 years old. She studied at Accademia Chigiana in Siena, then in Roma and finally at the Maastricht Conservatory, where she now trains full-time.
Mina’s musical journey has taken her to some of the most prestigious venues around the world, including the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, the Accademia Chigiana, Palazzo Falconieri in Rome, the Bachhaus in Leipzig, and the Muziekgebouw in Eindhoven.
Since 2022, Mina has regularly performed recital tours across Japan, enchanting audiences in cities such as Kyoto, Kitakyushu, and Tokyo. Her artistic expression and exceptional talent is further enhanced by the exquisite Genoese violin she plays, crafted in 1742 by Bernardo Calcagno.
Tonight’s concert is a celebration of the rich cultural bond between Italy and Japan, a relationship built on a shared passion for the arts.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mina for accepting to perform at the Embassy and to each of you for joining us in this celebration of friendship through music.
Grazie mille. Arigatou gozaimasu. Enjoy the concert!