Wednesday 26 / February / 2025
Muscat – The prestigious International Violin Competition "Premio Paganini" has named H.E. Pierluigi D’Elia, Ambassador of Italy accredited to the Sultanate of Oman, as the Paganini Ambassador for 2025, by Giovanni Panebianco, President of "Premio Paganini. The official appointment took place in a special ceremony with the presence of Guest of Honor, H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Riyami, Chief of Cultural Cooperations Department at the Foreign Ministry, Diplomats and members from the Omani and Italian community.
Founded in 1954, the "Premio Paganini" is one of the most renowned violin competitions in the world, dedicated to discovering and promoting young violin virtuosos while honoring the legacy of Niccolò Paganini. Over the decades, the competition has been a launchpad for internationally acclaimed artists, including Salvatore Accardo, Gidon Kremer, Leonidas Kavakos, and Sayaka Shoji.
The appointment of H.E. Pierluigi D’Elia as Paganini Ambassador reflects his commitment to fostering cultural diplomacy and strengthening Italy’s rich musical heritage on the international stage. Throughout his diplomatic career, Ambassador D’Elia has actively promoted Italian arts, music, and traditions, recognizing their role in building bridges between nations. His appointment aligns with the renewed vision of "Premio Paganini" to engage global audiences, particularly young musicians, while deepening the competition’s ties with cultural institutions worldwide.
Expressing his gratitude, Ambassador D’Elia stated: "It is a great honor to be named Paganini Ambassador for 2025. Promoting strong cultural cooperation between Italy and Oman, in particular in the field of music, is both a privilege and a responsibility. I thank the Royal Opera House Muscat for its enriched program which includes the masterclass by Simon Zhu in collaboration with pianist Gile Bae that is open for violin students, a talk titled Paganini Prize by the President of Paganini Prize and an Emerging Talents evening to celebrate the Paganini Competition with the two rising stars in the classical music world, Simon Zhu and Gile Bae.” His Excellency continued: “I look forward to supporting ‘Premio Paganini’ in its mission to nurture talent and celebrate the universal language of music.”
The Paganini Ambassador title is awarded to distinguished individuals who embody the competition’s values and contribute to the global appreciation of classical music and Italian cultural heritage. H.E. Pierluigi D’Elia’s appointment highlights the enduring cultural ties between the Italian Republic and the Sultanate of Oman, reinforcing music as a powerful instrument of international dialogue and artistic exchange.
