Enrico Leide was the uncle of Mario Foah. Mario Foah is the father of Dahlan Robert Foah, the conductor of the Atlanta Musicians' Orchestra and the organizer of this 100 year celebration. Mario Foah celebrated his 101st year this spring as well, so as Enrico was founding the first symphony orchestra in Atlanta, Mario was born in Naples, Italy. A few years later, Luciana Levi was born in Rome, Italy and all of them, as Jews, fled the Nazis and fascists, and came to the United States, carrying music and art in their hands. Mario and Luciana met in New York and three days later, Mario proposed.

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Lucas Richman, the composer of the Concerto for Violin and Cello: "Un Pasto con Luciana e Mario", was moved and intrigued as he learned about the history of Mario, Luciana and Enrico (not to mention the rest of a large clan) and insisted that though this new work would be in honor of Enrico Leide’s 100th founding anniversary, that he would like to dedicate it to Mario and Luciana and research their lives as the foundation of the piece. Accordingly, in 2018, Maestro Richman, Dahlan and Honora Foah traveled to Rome and Naples, meeting members of the family, hearing stories - true or not - about family characters and lore, upon which Mr Richman has based the Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the World Premiere at Spivey Hall on Wednesday, June, 22, 2022 at 8:00pm.