I Musici Comes to OIST

On October 16, OIST welcomed five members of the internationally-acclaimed Italian chamber orchestra, I Musici, who performed a special concert in the OIST auditorium. The 500 seats were filled by those who had made reservations before the event.

While I Musici is well-known for playing baroque music, the audience of the night was entertained with familiar pieces such as the Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. As their performance concluded, the musicians received repeated standing ovations from the enthusiastic crowd, which recalled the accommodating ensemble for four successive encores.  

I Musici’s visit to Okinawa this time came 16 years after its previous tour.  The main event was Thursday’s concert at the Okinawa Civic Hall. During an interview between numbers, cellist Vito Paternoster made the OIST crowd laugh by telling a story from his previous visit to Okinawa, about drinking habu sake with a snake coiled inside. At the end of the event, OIST President Jonathan Dorfan thanked the performers, saying “16 years is too long. We would like to invite you back sooner.” 

This concert is the latest in a series of cultural events, including art exhibitions and lectures, as well as concerts, that OIST organizes in order to develop as a cultural center.