The evocative location, surrounded by huge and wide windows, from which it was possible to admire the entire Columbus Circle, hosted with great visual impact the 95 components of the band, in red and black uniform. The audience could not help but be charmed and enchanted.The consul general’s words, Francesco Genuardi [2], then opened the musical event, underscoring the importance of the presence of the corps, both from a historical and a cultural point of view. The concert began with the Italian anthem, followed by the American one. 

Thus the consul general, surrounded by the military orchestra in their uniforms colors said: “It is not bychance that we are here today to reflect on the cultural bridge between the United States and Italy, and all that is carried out by  Sistema Italia, in order to be stronger and stronger. This evening we are going to be enraptured by the wonderful notes played by one of the biggest military orchestras in the world, established in 1820”.

He thenadded: “the Carabinieri play a fundamental role for the safety both on the international and national level and it is emblematic to have them paying us this tribute tonight”.

Director Massimo Martinelli conducted the orchestra composed by 95 musicians that played some of the most beautiful and known symphonies such as La Forza del destino by Verdi, Baaria by E. Morricone,  New York Serenade by M. Martinelli, Ballet and March from “Carmen” by G. Bizet, Aria Nessun Dorma from Turandot by G. Puccini – solista Matteo Coltellacci, Aria The Queen of the Night from The Magic flute by W. A. Mozart – solista Santino Torre Allegro Finale from William Tell by G. Rossini Official March of the Carabinieri La Fedelissima by L. Cirene.

About the Carabinieri Band
The Carabinieri Band [3] was founded in 1820 when the then Royal Carabinieri Corps assembled a group of buglers for the first time. In 1862, this became a fanfare, and by 1920 had developed into a full Band contingent of the Carabinieri Force. Under the direction of Maestro Luigi Cajoli, the Band became famous for its quality of style, and in 1916 it travelled abroad for the first time for a series of concerts for injured allied soldiers. It performed with great success in Paris, and was highly acclaimed by the press.

Many other prestigious tours abroad followed, from Europe, to North and South America, the Middle East and Japan. Maestro Luigi Cirenei, who was a pupil of Pietro Mascagni, succeeded Cajoli in 1925. He improved the artistic skills of the Band and composed La Fedelissima the march theme adopted by the Carabinieri Force. Other band directors included: Maestro Domenico Fantini (1947), Maestro Vincenzo Borgia (1972) and Maestro Massimo Martinelli (2001), who is the present Director. The Carabinieri Band, with 103 musicians, each one an expert in a particular instrument, interpret the most famous compositions with a rich repertoire ranging from traditional military marches to modern and classical music.