Italy's Chamber of Deputies Gives Lifetime Achievement Award to Violinist Uto Ughi

The Italian violinist was honored in a ceremony taking place at Italy's Ministry of Culture

Uto Ughi, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest living Italian violinists, has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Italy's Chamber of Deputies.

He received the award during a short ceremony held at the Ministry of Culture by the President of the Culture Commission of the Chamber, the Hon. Federico Mollicone, in the presence of the Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano and Natascia Chiarlo, Vice President of the newly formed Uto Ughi Foundation, which was established last October.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity for Ughi to highlight his "Concert for Peace", which will take place on May 10 in Rome at the Basilica Santa Maria dell'Ara Coeli. Ughi will perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Rome, as well as giving a free masterclass for students of the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome on 27 and 28 May.

Uto Ughi is the former Music Director of the l’Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, and has founded a number of international festivals, including the Omaggio a Venezia, Omaggio a Roma and Uto Ughi per Roma.

He performs on the 1701 "Kreutzer" Stradivarius violin.

"Sensitivity for music is sensitivity for the world and for others, and music has always represented a common language that unites peoples and inspires beauty," said the Hon. Federico Mollicone."[Ughi's award is] for the excellence achieved in his career and the commitment to promoting and enhancing classical music nationally and internationally."

"Today I interpret this recognition as being not only to myself but to the Italian musical tradition — to which I am honored to belong and with which I have nourished myself for an entire life," Ughi said.