By Amy Pigeon
On July 1st, Casa Loma, Toronto’s iconic castle, stood like a dream against the perfect July blue sky. The gardens were lush and booming with blooms, and the fountain at the centre of the estate glistened in the sunlight. With the 1914-built castle as a backdrop and the breathtaking Toronto skyline stretching out in the distance, the scene was set for the perfect summer soirée. Armed with gelato in one hand, and an Aperol Spritz in the other, I had the two perfect treats to mentally take me back to Italy (where I had just begrudgingly returned from) – if only fictionally and for a matter of hours. The crowd was as stunning as the setting—Toronto’s most beautifully put-together people, all gathered to celebrate the fusion of Canadian and Italian culture.
It was Canada Day—and yet here I was, attending an event that was in nature and title, a love song to Italy. The irony wasn’t lost on me, and it felt like the perfect way to bring a small piece of Italy back home with me.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, we made our way to our seats, which we had strategically marked earlier with scarves to reserve our spot. Pro tip: if you don’t arrive as soon as the doors open, you risk losing a seat—unless you opt for the BlueBlood VIP package, which guarantees you a prime spot. But if you’re not quite ready to splurge, the early bird approach is your best bet. With our seats secured, we ventured off to grab another round of drinks before the symphony began.
The evening’s performance was led by the incomparable Maestro Paolo Busato, who kicked off the night with Italian Folk Festival arranged by Jack Bullock. From the moment he raised his hands, it was clear that Paolo loves his craft. He conducted with such joy and enthusiasm that it was impossible not to be swept up in his energy. As a first-timer, I couldn’t tell if this was his usual demeanor or if the theme of the evening had sparked an extra dose of Italian pride, but his infectious spirit filled the air. I was grateful for our wing seats, which allowed me to see his face light up as he expertly led the orchestra. He was an outrageous character, dressed in a stylish, flashy, iridescent plum shirt—true to Italian form. Paolo’s vast repertoire breathed life into every note. Trained across the globe—in Paris, Italy, England, the U.S., and Canada—Paolo had mastered the art of an engaging performance.
The evening’s guest tenor, Rocco Rupolo, added another layer of beauty to the performance. A standout talent in the Canadian opera scene, Rocco’s rich voice filled the Glass Pavilion as he swooned the mesmerized audience. His voice, trained at the University of Toronto and honed through residencies with the Vancouver Opera and Opéra de Montréal, captivated everyone on the grounds. As he sang, it felt as though time stood still—each note was a reminder of the depth of Italian culture and could be heard and appreciated from blocks away from the castle.
After intermission, the lovely MC, Catriona, took the stage to share stories about the parallels between Canadian and Italian culture. She spoke of how both cultures embrace outsiders with open arms and take immense pride in their heritage. She shared with us information about the deep-rooted history Italians have in Canada, with the influx of hardworking, beautiful Italian immigrants who helped shape the very foundations of our country. Today, the presence of Italian culture is still strongly felt, particularly in Toronto, where it thrives in the form of food, art, and, of course, music. “Forza Italia!” Catriona cheered, urging the audience to join in, with an immediate and enthusiastic chanting response from the audience. The connection between the two cultures is undeniable, as demonstrated by Catriona’s cheerleading.
The evening progressed. Then, to my absolute delight, the orchestra began to play the haunting, nostalgic tones of Ennio Morricone. I can identify that score from a million miles away. “Love Theme” from Cinema Paradiso. Before I even sensed tears welling up in my eyes, I felt them rolling down my face. The hair on my arms stood on end as Paolo took to the piano. Very few things elicit such a visceral reaction from me, but certain songs have the power to move me in ways that nothing else can. If you’ve seen the film, you’ll understand why this piece of music holds such significance—it’s a love letter to life, to memory, and to the beauty of the moment.
The evening drew to a close with Rocco Rupolo’s stirring rendition of “Nessun Dorma” by Giacomo Puccini. But as his voice filled the pavilion, I realized I couldn’t see him. Heads swiveled around, searching for the source of the beautiful sound, and soon enough, as I spotted others fixating at the back of the garden, I realized where he was. Rocco was making his way through the tables, serenading those who did not have the luxury of seating in the glass pavilion. As he slowly walked back to the stage, his voice soared, filling the space with bone-chilling beauty.
It was a stunning end to a night filled with a symphony of emotions, and an event I truly cannot wait to attend next year.
Bravo – VV
Images courtesy of Amy Pigeon, Casa Loma & Unsplash
