RIP Gianfranco Mariotti

The Rossini world bid farewell to one of its giants yesterday (November 22, 2024) at the Duomo in Pesaro, Italy.

There are no words to explain how important Gianfranco Mariotti was to his country, his community, his family and friends, and to the Rossini world in general. It was his idea to create the Rossini Opera Festival and to nurture and grow it with his determination and wisdom. This was clearly recognized by all those who assisted him in this effort.

The loss was already felt in 2017 when he departed the role of Soverintendente of ROF. That was a challenging year for Rossini as it also saw the passing of his friend Alberto Zedda, another cornerstone of the ROF. Those who have attended and followed the Rossini Opera Festival for years know that 2017 was a sad turning point for the organization.

We hope the tributes continue to pour in from all those who benefitted from this generous soul.