L'Italo-Americano

ensure that this story isn't just a history lesson, but a living piece of art." Central to the festival's soul is its philanthropic mis- sion. Since its beginning, the Gala has raised over $33 million, a figure that has shifted the landscape of arts education. The partnership w i t h t h e A n d r e a B o c e l l i F o u n d a t i o n i s a p r i m e example of its far-reaching impact. "It's not just seven or ten days of music," Aprile Zanetti says. "We embraced a project to support a pedi- atric hospital in Florence. What was once just a single r o o m f o r s i c k c h i l d r e n i s n o w a f u l l s c h o o l , r e c o g - nized as the best school in a h o s p i t a l g l o b a l l y . T h i s i s how the festival connects things. We attract philan- thropists for a mission, not j u s t f o r a d o n a t i o n . I t i s a b o u t h u m a n - t o - h u m a n i m p a c t i n a c i r c u l a r e c o - n o m i c w a y , t o u c h i n g t h e lives of children many miles away." The festival embodies the Italian ideal of civiltà, the intersection of beauty, cul- famously bested the French in a blind tasting. "Opera is universal," he notes. "It isn't an ancient art form. You can w r i t e a n o p e r a t o m o r r o w that speaks to our days. This piece will be brief, funny, a n d d e e p l y r o o t e d i n t h e h i s t o r y o f t h i s s o i l . W e wanted to celebrate the 'Big B a n g ' o f A m e r i c a n w i n e , t h a t m o m e n t w h e n N a p a r e a c h e d t h e g l o b a l s t a g e , and do it through a medium that captures the drama and beauty of the achievement." The curation process is a collaborative effort led by President Rick Walker a n d A r t i s t i c D i r e c t o r Charles Letourneau. The team functions like a "spe- cial terroir," a mix of diverse cultures and perspectives that produce a unique out- come. "Our soil is the rea- son why we are such a spe- c i a l f i g u r a t i v e g r a p e , " h e says. "We share ideas from abroad, bring suggestions together, and nurture rela- tionships that last for years. In the case of Jake Heggie, w e a r e w o r k i n g w i t h a w o r l d - c l a s s c o m p o s e r t o ture, and civic duty. Much of this is driven by Maria M a n e t t i S h r e m , a l e g - e n d a r y p h i l a n t h r o p i s t w h o s e v i s i o n b r i d g e s t h e Italian soul with California's c r e a t i v e e n e r g y . A p r i l e Z a n e t t i d e s c r i b e s h e r approach to the arts as one of profound empathy. "Peo- p l e t h i n k s o p r a n o s a n d tenors lead only glamorous lives. Maria was the first person who told me a differ- ent picture. These artists are gifted by God, yet they have families they leave behind. They travel the world, sing for us, and then return to a h o t e l r o o m a l o n e . M a r i a meets, greets, and invites them to dinner. She ensures they feel they belong to a community, wherever they are. We keep that frequency a l i v e a t t h e f e s t i v a l . O u r musicians always want to c o m e b a c k b e c a u s e t h e y k n o w t h e y a r e c a r e d f o r . They are not just perform- ers; they are guests in our home." The 2026 celebration of the "Italian soul" culminates i n a s p e c i a l t r i b u t e t o Luciano Pavarotti , the " G l o b a l A m b a s s a d o r f o r Joy." A full-circle moment f o r t h e r e g i o n , g i v e n Pavarotti's rise to fame was catalyzed by his early per- formances at the San Fran- c i s c o O p e r a . " P a v a r o t t i b e c a m e t h e ' G r a n d e L u c i a n o ' b e c a u s e o f S a n Francisco," Aprile Zanetti points out. "We celebrate h i s l e g a c y w i t h t h e P a v a r o t t i F o u n d a t i o n a n d N i c o l e t t a M a n t o - vani. We are bringing in the new talents, the new emerg- ing 'Pavarottis' of the world, to perform. It ties back to t h e M a n e t t i S h r e m Opera Prize, which looks for that specific star quality, not just technical ability, but the ability to share joy." Aprile Zanetti cites an Ital- ian saying to describe the legendary tenor: aveva il sole in voce. "Having the s u n i n y o u r v o i c e m e a n s bringing light and joy. Even i n s a d c o m p o s i t i o n s , t h e power of music is to breathe joy into the listener. This year will be in the sign of joy par excellence." p l a c e w h e r e w e l e a r n b y enjoying." T h i s c o m m i t m e n t t o growth is visible in the festi- val's expanding educational footprint. Beyond the high- profile performances, the o r g a n i z a t i o n s u p p o r t s a summer conservatory and grants awards to emerging global talents. Aprile Zanet- ti views the festival as a vital part of the artistic ecosys- tem. "We are an incubator and an accelerator," he says. " W e r e c o g n i z e w o r l d - renowned icons like Renée F l e m i n g , w h o p e r f o r m e d here 20 years ago, and we scout the unknown. Many singers who are now icons in the field were featured here early in their careers. We are providing a launch- pad." The 2026 season features an ambitious lineup, includ- ing the world premiere of a c o m m i s s i o n e d o p e r a b y Grammy-winning composer Jake Heggie. Titled The Judgment of Paris, the o p e r a i s a m y t h o l o g i c a l r e i m a g i n i n g o f t h e 1 9 7 6 e v e n t w h e r e N a p a w i n e s N a p a V a l l e y residents and v i s i t o r s a r e preparing for a m i l e s t o n e that blends the ancient roots of the Mediterranean with the pioneering spirit of Cali- fornia. As Festival Napa V a l l e y e n t e r s i t s 2 0 t h anniversary season, it has transformed from a local s u m m e r g a t h e r i n g i n t o a premier global cultural des- tination. This year's festivi- ties, running from July 4th through July 19th, take on a deeper historical meaning, as they happen alongside t h e 2 5 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y o f A m e r i c a a n d t h e 5 0 t h anniversary of the "Judg- m e n t o f P a r i s " , t h e 1 9 7 6 tasting that revolutionized the world's perception of American wine. "Twenty years is a great milestone for any arts orga- n i z a t i o n , " s a y s M a u r o Aprile Zanetti, Brand and Philanthropy Officer at Fes- tival Napa Valley. "It was born as a local thing, and today we are 'glocal.' We are quintessential to the San F r a n c i s c o B a y A r e a a n d Napa, yet we are interna- tionally renowned. We have people flying in from across the U.S. and overseas, both as audience members and as performers." T h e f e s t i v a l ' s u n i q u e " n o m a d i c " f o r m a t t a k e s attendees on a 10-day jour- n e y t h r o u g h t h e r e g i o n ' s most prestigious wineries. For Aprile Zanetti, the con- nection between the vine- yard and the is a return to classical ideals. "There is a n a t u r a l b r i d g e b e t w e e n w i n e m a k i n g a n d m u s i c - making," he explains. "In Greek culture, the arts were created within the context of the symposium, the plea- sure of dance, and enjoying l i f e w i t h g r e a t f o o d a n d w i n e . N o t b y c h a n c e , t h e gods of dance, music, and wine, Dionysus and Apollo, are all intertwined. At the Festival Napa Valley, these m y t h o l o g i c a l r o o t s a r e a b s o l u t e l y u n i q u e ; i t i s a A concert at the Charles Krug Winery during the 2025 edition of Festival Napa Valley (Photo: Drew Altizer) T w e n t y y e a r s o f h a r m o n y : a R e n a i s s a n c e o f a r t , wine, and philanthropy with Festival Napa Valley SERENA PERFETTO THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 www.italoamericano.org 26 L'Italo-Americano SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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