On 31st January, at Le Berlaymont in Brussels, the European Commission organised a moving commemoration in honour of Jacques Delors, the distinguished statesman and one of the founding fathers of the European Union, who recently passed away.

The event was an initiative of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who invited a list of eminent European institutional personalities and representatives of the member states.

The solemn atmosphere welcomed among the guests the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and numerous heads of state and ministers from several EU member states.

President Ursula von der Leyen led the commemorations, emphasising Delors’ extraordinary legacy in shaping the European Union. von der Leyen’s words reflected the unity and determination of the EU in pursuing Delors’ ideals.

The large attendance highlighted the importance and profound impact that Jacques Delors had on the course of European history; in 1987, under the Delors presidency (1985-1995), the Erasmus Programme also began.

A special highlight of the event was the extraordinary contribution of a musical ensemble of nine young Erasmus Orchestra musicians from eight European conservatoires.

The students, selected by the Erasmus+ National Agency INIDRE, paid tribute to Delors through a moving musical performance, interspersing the commemorations with pieces representing the richness and cultural diversity of the continent.

The ensemble of the Erasmus Orchestra, under the direction of the young maestro/student Giordano De Nisi from the Conservatorio “A. Casella” in L’Aquila, captured the guests’ attention by providing musical interludes between the various commemorations.

The Berlaymont experienced a moment of reflection and celebration, emphasising the importance of continuing to build on Jacques Delors’ legacy and supporting projects such as the Erasmus Orchestra to inspire future generations to contribute to a united and prosperous European future.

Programme of the commemoration

• Interlude from Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni
• God Bless the Child, Billie Holiday
• To a wild rose, Sony Rollins
• Ode to Joy/European Anthem, Ludwig van Beethoven

Orchestra members and home conservatories:

• Konstantine Eroyan, Violin
  “V. Sarajishvili” Tbilisi State Conservatory (Georgia)
• Alice Rosapane, Violin
  “A. Scarlatti” Conservatoire Palermo (Italy)
• Roberta Michelini, Viola
  Conservatoire Royal de Liège (Belgium)
• Alicia Gonzalez Mayo, Cello
  “San Pietro a Majella” Conservatoire Naples (Italy)
• Carme Palmero Ballester, Flute
  Conservatoire Royal de Liège (Belgium)
• Domenico Michele Cetera, Clarinet
  “N. Piccinni” Conservatoire Bari (Italy)
• Laura Rubini, Bassoon
  “A. Buzzolla” Conservatoire Adria (Italy)
• Elisa Del Pero, Horn
  “G. B. Martini” Conservatoire Bologna (Italy)
• Giordano De Nisi, Conductor
  “A. Casella” Conservatoire L’Aquila (Italy)

The musicians had the support and expertise of Maestro Vincenzo Anselmi, tutor, arranger and composer from “N. Rota” Conservatoire Monopoli (Italy) and of Maestro Elio Orciuolo, Director and artistic coordinator of the Orchestra Erasmus project.