On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ Programme and as part of the Festival of Europe, on Tuesday, May 10th, at 9:00 PM, the Verdi Theater in Florence hosted the Erasmus Orchestra, which returned to perform in the concert “Europe Becomes Music. Happy Birthday, Erasmus!”

The event involved more than 50 Erasmus students from over 20 Italian conservatories and music institutions, conducted by Maestro Elio Orciuolo, a professor at the “N. Rota” Conservatory in Monopoli, to perform some of the most famous classical music arias by the most important European composers.

Founded in 2017 on the initiative of the Erasmus+ Italian National Agency INDIRE, the Erasmus Orchestra is a unique ensemble composed of students from conservatories and music institutions who have completed or are currently undertaking an Erasmus international mobility experience. The initiative aimed to promote the values of the Erasmus Generation – open, dynamic, and supportive – using music as a metaphor for integration, encounter, and skill development beyond any linguistic, geographical, and cultural barriers. Since its inception, the performances of the Erasmus Orchestra have recorded great public success and international interest.

The event was organized by the Erasmus+ Indire National Agency in collaboration with the “L. Cherubini” Conservatory of Music in Florence.

The concert was free and open to all interested until capacity was reached.