Presented by the NCPA and the Symphony Orchestra of India, with the support of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Mumbai, as part of the SOI Autumn 2026 Season, this programme brings together two outstanding Italian artists in an evening that spans the brilliance of Rossini, the lyricism of Beethoven and the wit and imagination of Respighi.
Alessandro Bonato, the Principal Conductor of the Haydn Orchestra in Bolzano and Trento, makes his India debut with the SOI. The concert opens with the overture to La gazza ladra, a sparkling, high-spirited showpiece. Violinist Francesca Dego, particularly admired for her interpretations of Beethoven, joins the orchestra for his Violin Concerto—a brilliant showcase of technical prowess and virtuosity.
Born in Verona in 1995, Alessandro Bonato began studying the violin at the age of 11 at the Conservatorio Dall’Abaco of Verona and, subsequently, he also devoted himself to viola, composition and counterpoint, later perfecting himself in baroque viola and viola da gamba with Stefano Marcocchi. He studied conducting with Pier Carlo Orizio, Donato Renzetti e Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli, before making his official debut in 2013 on the podium of the Orchestra of the Conservatory of his city.
Currently Artist in Residence at London’s legendary Wigmore Hall, violinist Francesca Dego is celebrated for her compelling interpretations and flawless technique. She has collaborated with leading musicians including Gautier Capuçon, Jan Lisiecki and Sir Roger Norrington and has received critical acclaim for her award-winning recordings while championing contemporary music through new commissions. A prolific writer, she regularly contributes to leading music publications and is the author of Tra le Note. Classica: 24 chiavi di lettura.
PROGRAMME
Rossini: Overture to La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
Rossini/Respighi: La Boutique fantasque (The Magic Toyshop)
26 August | Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA | 7 PM
Tickets available here