MILAN, July 16, 2020 – “Great art is necessary, just like other great works.” This observation was made by Maestro Antonio Pappano, one of the most appreciated orchestra directors in the world, at the end of an evening visit to the Raffaello exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome.

“The fact that tickets for the exhibition are almost impossible to find highlights the great need to share such a special occasion, which is something unique,” he said. “So it is important, especially at a time of crisis like the one that we are currently facing, that art remains an absolute need for every human being.”

The Raffaello exhibition, whose main sponsor is the Webuild Group, will be at the Scuderie del Quirinale until August 30. The display of his work goes backwards in time, from the death of the famous artist in 1520 to his birth in 1483.

“The idea of beginning from the end before going back to the very beginning of the artist's life is a brilliant idea,” said Maestro Pappano. “It is like starting with a self-portrait at a mature age, to then end with one portraying him as a young man. The exhibition, created with great class, somewhat displays a certain a musical balance.”

Despite the current period, during which many events have been cancelled, the exhibition is going ahead, in full compliance of anti-COVID-19 measures. Its huge success with the public confirms the importance of great works in moments like the one that we are facing.

“Great works are eternal,” added Pappano. “When you see a collection of the work of a genius like Raffaello, or when you listen to the music of Beethoven, you really do realise how beautiful, complex and necessary art is. These things are necessary. And for me, this evening, it was a source of great joy after a day filled with Beethoven's music, to come here and see the works of another great artistic genius."

Maestro Pappano visited the exhibition at the end of a day of rehearsals with the orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, with which he is preparing a concert to be held on July 27 at the foot of Genoa’s new bridge. The Webuild Group is completing it.

“This concert will celebrate the bridge, which was built in record time by Webuild and Fincantieri. It also pays tribute to the people who lost their lives when the Morandi Bridge collapsed. The event will be very emotional, celebrating a great success in the world of construction, while also paying homage to the people who lost their lives. In the name of art and Beethoven.”