Italian Embassy Gala, Concert, & Dinner Honoring Maestro Gianandrea Noseda
Indulge in a celebration of Italian culture with a night of fine dining, conversations, and NSO Quartet live performance.

Event Date

Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Event Address

Embassy of Italy
 3000 Whitehaven St. NW
Washington DC 20008

Requested Attire

Semi formal or cocktail attire requested

Event Description

Indulge in a celebration of Italian culture with a night of fine dining, conversations, and National Symphony Orchestra Quartet live performance.

Join us for an elegant gala at the Embassy of Italy as the Italian Cultural Society presents one of Washington’s most distinguished evenings celebrating the beauty, magic, and enduring legacy of Italian culture.

This year’s gala honors internationally acclaimed conductor Maestro Gianandrea Noseda and pays tribute to the musical genius of Giacomo Puccini in a setting worthy of the occasion. The evening begins with an Italian cocktail reception accompanied by live jazz, offering guests the rare opportunity to gather at the Embassy of Italy and enjoy the atmosphere of one of the city’s most distinguished diplomatic venues.

The program continues with a special tribute to Maestro Noseda, followed by a performance by the NSO String Quartet featuring a Puccini repertoire that includes rarely performed works and two unpublished pieces receiving their U.S. premiere. Historic Italian instruments from Maestro Noseda’s private collection add another exceptional dimension to an already remarkable evening.

The gala concludes with dinner, recognitions, an awards ceremony, and piano performance, bringing together patrons, supporters, and friends of Italian culture for a memorable celebration of music, refinement, and Italian excellence. Advance reservations are required. There will also be the opportunity of bidding on unique items of our online and silent auction.

Indulge in Italian Cuisine and Wine

6:15-7:15 Cocktails reception with gourmet hors d'oeuvres, Prosecco, Peroni Beer and Cocktails

7:30 - 8:30 Seating at the table (high quality Italian Prosciutto and cheese, red and white wine, acqua S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna bottles on the tables)

Conversation with Gianandrea Noseda followed by unique NSO Quartet concert featuring 18th century instruments belonging to the collection of Gianandrea Noseda

8:30 Delectable Italian dinner with red and white wine. Live music for the first half hour and scholarship awards ceremonies including a piano performance at the end of the evening.

Program

6:30 pm – Italian Cocktail Reception featuring live jazz

7:30 pm – Tribute to Maestro Gianandrea Noseda, followed by a concert by the NSO String Quartet (Puccini repertoire)

Preludio e fuga (6’ – unpublished, U.S. premiere)
Gavotta (2’ – unpublished, U.S. premiere)
Minuetto (3’ – published, rarely performed; includes a theme later used in Manon Lescaut)
Crisantemi (7’ – well known and regularly performed)

Performers & Instruments

Xiaoxuan Shi, violin — playing a Tommaso Balestrieri, 1765
Benjamin Scott, violin — playing an Alessandro Gagliano, 1725
Dana Kelley, viola — playing a Giovan Battista Ceruti, 1808
Raymond Tsai, cello — playing a Giovanni Francesco Celoniato, 1732

Each instrument is a historic masterpiece crafted by the Italian makers listed above, from the private collection of Maestro Gianandrea Noseda.

8:30 pm – Dinner, Recognitions, Awards Ceremony & Piano Performance

10:00 pm – Conclusion of the evening

 

           TICKETS           
All online reservations are final. We are unable to issue refunds for tickets purchased due to expenses incurred to present the event. Make your reservations early, as space is limited. Cost of reservations is subject to increase as we approach the date of the event.

Event Agenda (May change)

(The program is subject to change)

6:30 pm – Italian Cocktail Reception featuring live jazz

7:30 pm – Tribute to Maestro Gianandrea Noseda, followed by a concert by the NSO String Quartet (Puccini repertoire)
Preludio e fuga (6’ – unpublished, U.S. premiere)
Gavotta (2’ – unpublished, U.S. premiere)
Minuetto (3’ – published, rarely performed; includes a theme later used in Manon Lescaut)
Crisantemi (7’ – well known and regularly performed)
Performers & Instruments
Xiaoxuan Shi, violin — playing a Tommaso Balestrieri, 1765
Benjamin Scott, violin — playing an Alessandro Gagliano, 1725
Dana Kelley, viola — playing a Giovan Battista Ceruti, 1808
Raymond Tsai, cello — playing a Giovanni Francesco Celoniato, 1732
Each instrument is a historic masterpiece crafted by the Italian makers listed above, from the private collection of Maestro Gianandrea Noseda.

8:30 pm – Dinner, Recognitions, Awards Ceremony & Piano Performance

10:00 pm – Conclusion of the evening

We Are Grateful for Your Support

We greatly appreciate your contribution towards the International Club of DC Inc by making your reservation. Your support makes it possible for us to present diverse cultural events to our members. Kindly note that your contribution is unrelated to the embassy or venue the event is being presented at and all proceeds from the event are used solely by International Club of DC Inc. to cover expenses related to presenting cultural events to our members.

Map/Parking

Uber or other transportation service is highly recommended.
Please note that the map is enclosed below as a courtesy to you and for your convenience but we do not guarantee the accuracy of the map or the directions provided by Google. It is your responsibly to arrive safely and on time at the address of the event disclosed above.

Parking is limited to street parking in the vicinity of the venue. Kindly note that, as is the case in most major cities, the availability of street parking in Washington DC is limited and beyond our control. Due to the limited availability of parking, we highly recommend a cab, Uber/Lyft or other transportation option. The event start at the designated time so please allow sufficient time for traffic/travel/transportation and parking as these factors are beyond our control.

Event Notes

By participating in the event, you accept responsibility to arrive for the event on time. Due to expenses incurred, we are unable to offer refunds if you are unable to attend the event for any reason. Purchase of tickets for the event constitutes your acceptance of our no-refund policy. Event details are subject to change as we continue to refine the event.

Tickets will be released to the person who purchased the tickets upon presenting photo ID. If you purchased more than one ticket, please arrive for admission with your guest(s).