Alt F1 Podcast: Heineken – The Balcony Orchestra
With Formula 1 races still taking place behind closed doors, official partner Heinekenbrought musicians from across Italy together for a unique performance to start the Formula 1 Gran Premio Heineken d’Italia 2020 as part of the brand’s #SocialiseResponsibly campaign.
The musicians, whose balcony and rooftop performances went viral during lockdown, were rewarded for boosting morale around the world by being given the opportunity to perform the national anthem at the Monza track before the start of the Grand Prix.
The musicians gathered together by Heineken® included trumpet player Raffaele Kohler, violinist Stefano Camilli as well as tenor Maurizio Marchini, who became famous for his rendition of Nessun Dorma from his balcony in Florence.
Marchini said: “It was an honour to perform the national anthem on the track at Monza – it’s a race that means so much to Italian people and I couldn’t believe it when Heineken® invited me to play. I was in complete shock.”
The full list of performers include:
- Andrea Zucco – Bassoon
- Claudia Bucchini – Flute
- Raffaele Kohler – Trumpet
- Stefano Camilli – Violin
- Courtney Mills – Soprano
- Maurizio Marchini – Tenor
The film created by Heineken sees the ‘balcony performers’ from across Italy gather at the stunning Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti in Modena, being given their own balconies inside the theatre for a special rendition of “The Song of the Italians”, the Italian National Anthem.
They are then surprised by Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who interrupted the performers on the theatres big screen, with the news that they will be performing at the Monza Grand Prix.
Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal, Mattia Binotto, commented; “It’s completely understandable, but still a huge shame, that our fans can’t be in the grandstands for the race. But it was very special to see the people who made such an impact in their community during lockdown perform the National Anthem”.
8th September 2020*
