Rome – On Monday 28 May 2012, the American Academy in Rome awarded the McKim Medal to internationally renowned conductor, Maestro Riccardo Muti, in honor of his significant accomplishments and contributions to classical music throughout his career. Considered one of the world’s most important conductors, Riccardo Muti has been captivating international audiences for over four decades. Over 270 guests attended the 8th annual McKim Medal Gala, which was held at the Academy’s Villa Aurelia.
The evening’s guests were welcomed by Director Christopher Celenza, FAAR’94, Chairman of the Board of Trustees William B. Hart, and President Adele Chatfield-Taylor, FAAR’84. Among the many Fellows, Residents, and friends of the Academy who attended the event were Walter Hood, FAAR’97; Mary Margaret Jones, FAAR’98; C. Brian Rose, FAAR’92, RAAR’12; Antonello and Giuppi Pietromarchi; Antonio Puri Purini; Marella Caracciolo; Ginevra Elkann; Alain Elkann; Francesco Vezzoli; Aurelio de Laurentiis; and Sandro Chia. Also present were McMim Medal laureates Ennio Morricone and Miuccia Prada. Previous medalists have included Umberto Eco, Luigi Ontani, Renzo Piano, Cy Twombly, and Franco Zeffirelli. This year's McKim Gala was chaired by Valentina Moncada di Paternò, together with Founding Chair and Academy Trustee, Verdella Caracciolo de Benedictis, and Honorary Chair, Rose Thorne.
Academy Trustee Mercedes T. Bass presented Maestro Muti with the McKim Medal and told guests of her first encounter with the Maestro, who had become the principal conductor of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino at 26 years old. Mrs. Bass commented, “A few years after his appointment I heard him conduct a dazzling performance of Nabucco at the Maggio Festivale, and I immediately predicted that he would become a famous conductor.” Since then Maestro Muti has gone on to conduct most of the important orchestras in the world and today he serves as the Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as the honorary director for life at the Rome Opera.
Upon receiving his medal Maestro Muti remarked: “This honor tonight is extremely meaningful for me because it comes from the American Academy in Rome. What this Academy is doing, has done, and will do in the future is extremely important for the world, not only for Italians or Americans. I know, from my personal experience, that putting together people from different countries is the only way to help the world find a way for peace. What you do here is an example that should be followed by other institutions around the world, and the more we get people together, the young people especially, the more we have a better hope for the future.”
Maestro Muti went on to emphasize the importance of culture and its role in our society, and to state that he was particularly pleased to receive the McKim Prize because of the Academy’s commitment to fostering and nurturing the arts and humanities.
The evening ended with closing remarks by President Adele Chatfield-Taylor. She expressed gratitude on behalf of the Academy to the dinner committee of the event, as well as to the Italian and American patrons and sponsors who play a fundamental role in making possible the gala and the Italian fellowships at the American Academy in Rome.
Funds raised by the McKim Gala allow Italian artists to join the Academy community each year, and support an exchange program for scholars in the humanities that links the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa with the American Academy in Rome. These opportunities have proven to be an enrichment both to the individual Fellows and to the larger international community.
The McKim Medal was established by the Trustees of the American Academy in Rome in 2005 as an annual prize that honors an individual whose work internationally – most particularly in Italy and the United States – has contributed significantly to the arts and humanities. Named for Charles Follen McKim (1847-1909), noted architect who established the Academy in 1894, the Medal recognizes an individual whose work and life exemplify creative and intellectual exchange across the arts, scholarship, language, and culture. The McKim medal was designed by Cy Twombly. This year’s medal was crafted and donated by Roman jeweler Fabio Salini.
The McKim Medal Gala kicked off a week of special activities at the American Academy in Rome, including the Fellows Opens Studios (May 29), Reading (May 30), and Concert (May 31).