Eighteen musicians from ten countries who speak nine different languages. Together they transform their variegated roots and cultures into one single language, music. This is the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio (OPV). Taking inspiration from each musician’s background and traditional music, mixing and dipping into it with rock, pop, reggae and classical, the outcome is the unique sound of the OPV. Musicians leave and others arrive changing the sound of the orchestra but not depriving it of its initial aim bent on exploring new challenges and opening horizons the world over. A fusion of cultures and traditions; old and new sounds; little known instruments; memories; distant yet universal melodies; and voices from around the world.
The idea of creating an orchestra of musicians from different countries and cultures grew out of a larger project in 2002: saving the historical Cinema Apollo in Rome from becoming a bingo hall. Conceived and created by musician Mario Tronco with filmmaker Agostino Ferrente, the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio was developed within the Apollo 11 Cultural Association, a project supported by artists, intellectuals, professionals and locals of the Esquilino district in Rome in order to enhance the intercultural characteristics of an area where Italians are the ethnic minority.
The Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio represents something quite singular. It is the first orchestra founded on the financial support and contributions from people trying to provide meaningful employment and residency to professional musicians who have come from all over the world and have made Italy their home.
Their on-stage performance delivers a powerful message of brotherhood and peace in a way that no declaration, rally, or television debate could. But beyond its political and social value, the OPV promotes research and integration of diverse musical repertoires that are often unknown to the general public and hopes to improve the conditions of cultural and social isolation which many of the musicians often have to deal with.