“Libiam ne’ lieti calici”
Arias in which wine is the protagonist, sung by bass
Maurizio Muraro
This will be followed by the presentation of the book
The Spirit of Opera
written by Mariantonella Volpe and Maurizio Muraro
A fitting conclusion to the evening: a toast — with panettone! — offered by the ICI
to wish everyone happy holidays and a … sparkling 2026!
The festive season is approaching, and the Institute warmly invites EVERYONE to take part in a prestigious musical event, which will conclude with a celebratory toast.
“Libiam ne’ lieti calici” from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi is just one of the many opera arias that invite us to raise a glass. The renowned singer Maurizio Muraro, currently performing at the Metropolitan Opera, will join us at the Institute to sing a selection of these pieces.
Muraro and his wife, Mariantonella Volpe, will also present their book Lo Spirito dell’Opera – where “spirito” carries a double meaning: both “spirit” as in soul, and “spirit” as in alcohol.
At the end of the evening, all guests will have the pleasure of enjoying a fine glass of strictly Italian Prosecco.
Maurizio Muraro and Mariantonella Volpe with their book take us on a journey through notes and glasses, exploring the symbolic meaning of wine and drinking in opera librettos. With charm and a wink, they guide even those not familiar the operatic world through memorable toasts, shared glasses, and moments of human vulnerability told with the honesty only music can offer. Packed with tasty anecdotes, musical curiosities, and little nuggets of history, the text flows lightly and playfully, making readers smile and reflect at the same time. And for those who want more than just reading, the final pages provide space for personal reflections—because sometimes the best toast is the one that comes from within.
After the book presentation, get ready for an evening of musical magic! The incredible bass Maurizio Muraro will dazzle us with a selection of arias, accompanied by the brilliant pianist Ye In. We’ll wrap up the night with a cheerful toast, celebrating the holiday season with our wonderful ICI-NY family—because what’s better than books, music, and a little festive sparkle?
Maurizio Muraro, operatic bass, has spent more than thirty years performing on the stages of the world’s greatest theaters, singing leading roles and collaborating with many of the most important conductors. His discography is extensive, and he has taken part in numerous cinematic opera productions.
Mariantonella Volpe, teacher of Art History and Italian Literature, has published books in the historical, artistic, musical, and technological fields. For many years, she worked as a freelance creative and advertising copywriter on national and international campaigns, and has also organized major exhibitions, sporting events, and prominent musical initiatives.
Korean pianist Ye In Kwak is currently in her second year of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, and in the 2025/26 season, she joins the music staff for the production of Eugene Onegin. She has built an international career as a collaborative artist, specializing in opera and art song repertoire. Her growing passion for vocal collaboration brought her to the United States, where she earned a Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at the Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of Myra Huang. During her time in the U.S., Ye in participated in Renée Fleming’s Songstudio at Carnegie Hall, Georg Solti Accademia in Italy, Aspen Music Festival, Wolf Trap Opera and Ravinia Festival, and was featured on CBS Television and WQXR Radio.
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