PIERANTONIO (4-3-3) Zandrini; Pettinelli, Allegrucci, Petrara, Francioni; Dragoni (36'st De Iuliis), Fastellini, Salis. Subs: Sergiacomi, Conti, Montefusco, Pelati, Marinelli. Coach: Giacomo Bruni. ATLETICO BMG (4-2-3-1) Battistelli; Boninsegni (22'st Angeli), Canalicchio, Fapperdue, Ciucci (44'st Rossi); Colombi. Subs: Santini, Rinalducci, Lucaroni, Chiaverini, Guazzaroni. Coach: Francesco Farsi. Referee: Speziali of Foligno (Krriku and Bacci). SCORERS: 9'st pen. Fastellini, 12'st Dragoni (P), 18'pt Colombi (B). NOTE: Yellow cards Pettinelli (P), Canalicchio (B). Recovery time: 0'pt, 4'st. Il Pierantonio ends the season with one victory at Marinelli who leaves Bruni's white and blues 2 points from the zone playoff. A first half of Bmg brand with Colombi which gives the lead to Farsi's team, thus closing the season with 19 goals. In the second half, Pierantonio the limelight. Laassiri he gets a penalty that Fastellini he doesn't miss for the 1-1 in the 60th minute. Three minutes and dragons confirms that he has fully recovered from his knee injury by scoring the winning goal. which was established by his grandfather in 1962 and was one of the 12 founding members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino While all vintages have their own individual challenges Ripacciolio reports that 2024 was one of the latest harvests he has known in all his years working on the estate The Canalicchio di Sopra estate in Montalcino “It was postponed by at least two weeks because of the weather conditions that arrived in September,” he says which can sometimes happen – 2018 was similar,” he recalls “It was a bit like the very classic harvests that we used to see back in the 1980’s or 1990’s “It was very difficult because we had two extreme conditions that we had to manage – the heat and then rain - but thanks to the high yields this year we have been able to be a bit more relaxed as there were more than sufficient grapes to select from and throw away others.” While the vintage may have been later than usual and while it’s too early to give official figures Ripacciolio says that the yield at Canalicchio was up by around 25% and it’s likely that other producers in the region will report similar “There was a very large quantity of grapes so the fact we had a lot of rain at the beginning of September enabled the vines to keep growing with the plants in good health and able to retain water The grapes were able to achieve perfect maturity with alcohol and acidity developing very slowly so we have wines that are low in alcohol compared to previous years.” Francesco Ripacciolio is a board member for the Consorzio as well helping to run his family winery in the region is ideal as it dovetails perfectly with what the market is currently demanding While the vintage presented its own particular headaches this is something that Ripacciolio says he welcomes “The wet weather proved difficult at times but for me a challenging vintage doesn’t mean a bad vintage and in fact the more difficult years often give more satisfaction to the winemaker.” And he is enthusiastic about the quality of this year’s grapes too but we are seeing some amazing results with very elegant wines giving them more freshness and providing lots of potential for ageing in the bottle for a long time These are very important characteristics of Brunello di Montalcino and I am seeing a brilliance of colour that I don’t think I’ve seen since 2008 – not intensity of colour It was back in 1865 that the inaugural Brunello di Montalcino was bottled by Tenuta il Greppo By 1929 the region had 925 hectares of vines and 1243 hectares of mixed crops while in 1932 it was decreed that only those wines made and bottled within the commune could bear the Brunello di Montalcino moniker Since then the number of producers has shot up from a mere handful – 11 in 1960 to 230 in 2006 while over same period the vineyard area has expanded from 63.5 hectares to 1,956 with the region earning its DOC status in 1966 and being upgraded to DOCG in 1980 Demand for the wine remains high from collectors all over the world claims Ripacciolio with the majority of the region’s production – around 65 – 70% – being earmarked for overseas markets “Brunello di Montalcino is an appellation that is in demand across the world and is more exported than consumed domestically,” he confirms “Different vintages serve different functions,” he continues “Some are better for keeping and ageing in the cellar but that doesn’t mean that one is better than another - they are just different If you want to buy a Brunello because you want a bold vintage and you buy a 2008 you have made a mistake but if you’re looking for elegance and something you can drink tonight And if you want more sweetness and volume go for the 2015 The 2019 which was the most recently released vintage is in particularly strong demand which international collectors are keen to get their hands on but slightly different to 2019 in that it is a wine that is ready to be drunk now “It is a vintage that you can drink while you wait for the 2019 and 2016 to mature in the cellar,” he says “That’s not to say that the 2020 can’t age well but it’s extremely pleasant drinking now.” He describes the 2020 as a more “approachable” wine adding that: “It’s more easily understood by more people who are perhaps not so aware of the appellation,” adding it can be used as a stepping stone to attract consumers to the wines before they try the 2016 vintage “But to have the 2016 you need to know something about Montalcino.” This is in itself not a bad characteristic of the wine but just the identity of that particular vintage At his own estate it was decided not to make the Riserva in 2020 and instead to use all the Riserva grapes for the Brunello Classico “That ensured we kept the quality of the Brunello Classico to the maximum possible.” Brunello di Montalcino Wines must be aged in oak barrels and in bottles before being released five years after harvest and six years for the even more premium Riserva For those that like a lighter drinking style of wine the region can offer Rosso di Montalcino which are only aged for one year before release These so-called “baby Brunellos” have similar less complex flavours and are lighter in body than Brunello di Montalcino making a great everyday alternative to the premium Brunello There are opportunities for Brunello around the world - particularly in the UK says Francesco Ripacciolio The top international market for Brunello di Montalcino remains the US a position the country has held for over 30 years While the UK is not the largest international market “At Canalicchio we have invested a lot in the market since 2009 – and we are now doing very well in the UK It’s a very important market for producers and their brands And it’s also a market that he believes has further potential for growth despite the difficulties presented by Brexit “The Consorzio invests in it every year and promote the wines to the consumer while single producers can also do their own promotional activity What we need to do is to continue to draw attention to the appellation I think there is more potential because it’s a market that is very aware of fine wine.” Brunellos are competing in a market of wines that while premium are not necessarily as expensive as other appellations Compared to other famous appellations we are very small in terms of quantity – only 14 million bottles between Rosso and Brunello.” He adds: “These are not huge numbers when you are selling to 50 countries around the world but I think Brunello has a great relationship between price and quality given they are only released after five years but I wouldn’t say they are unaffordable.” Ripacciolio believes that the enduring appeal of Tuscany as a holiday destination amongst Britons goes some way to explaining the popularity of Brunello wines in the UK “There is definitely appreciation of the wines but also for the Tuscan region – it has become a destination in itself for wine lovers.” Such is the popularity of the wines in the UK that Ripacciolio claims that many merchants and restaurants are keen to have not just one Brunello on their lists to better represent the wide diversity and best the region has to offer “It’s not enough to just have one example,” he confirms The difference in the terroir of the region means the grape expresses itself in many different ways “The clay of Canalicchio produces very different grapes from the galestro [type of rock] of Montosoli where we have our other estate and in the south of Montalcino you must understand that you cannot produce the same wine in such different soils It's not just the diversity of the soil that gives the grapes their unique characteristics but also the wide variation in diurnal temperature of the region which helps the grapes to maintain their acidity levels and extends their ripening time The cold Tramontana wind can also play an important role in drying and concentrating the fruit From the 2020 vintage the Consorzio is actually abandoning the existing star-rating system in favour or a new way of assessing the wines as rating a vintage is not as helpful as actually describing it The new means of evaluation has been created by the Consorzio in collaboration with climatologists and experts in the terroir Not only does it claim to be more objective than the existing system but takes into consideration factors that typically characterise the denomination such as the impact of climactic trends on different vintages as well as the subjective opinions of the tasters You can taste for yourself what is happening in the region at a special en primeur tasting of the 2025 tasting well before its official release in January The Consorzio of Brunello di Montalcino presents Benvenuto Brunello trade-only presentation of the hotly anticipated 2020 vintage and the 2019 Riservas Benvenuto Brunello features some of the most important estates as well as rising stars from this world-famous denomination Tasters can choose freely the wines during the a two-hour pre-booked sommelier-serviced tasting slot The number of attendees has been greatly limited by the Consorzio of Montalcino and per slot there is a very limited number of 32 places available and places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis the event organiser at walter@walterspeller.com The Buyer TVClick below to watch The Buyer's library of online debates, videos and webinars. Filippo Bartolotta offers his verdict on the soon-to-be-released 2020 vintage Brunello di Montalcino and examines how it compares to its predecessors Benvenuto Brunello is considered the founding event of Italy’s wine previews dedicated to the king of Tuscan reds: Brunello di Montalcino a monovarietal wine made from pure Sangiovese expressing its fullest potential in Montalcino with its Mediterranean flair and unmistakable Sangiovese expression symbolises the excellence of Tuscan winemaking traditions It is a wine born from the delicate balance of human skill and nature’s generosity Each vintage tells a unique story shaped by commitment This creates a connection that transcends the product embodying culture and centuries-old knowledge Participating in Benvenuto Brunello doesn’t just mean tasting and appreciating the wines and emotions that only fine wine can evoke This year’s edition followed the traditional format while introducing some notable innovations featuring walk-around tastings with producers and opening its doors to wine lovers alongside the press There were also three in-depth masterclasses focusing on different vintages and production styles offering a more comprehensive perspective for tasters “Benvenuto Brunello in November remains a key preview event for strengthening the positioning of our denomination in the market where we export around 70% of our production,” said consorzio president Fabrizio Bindocci we wanted to maintain technical tastings for critics while also expanding the content by involving producers directly I tasted more than 500 labels from 126 wineries The spotlight was on Brunello di Montalcino 2020 and Riserva 2019 alongside Rosso di Montalcino 2023 and other wines of the denomination: Moscadello and Sant’Antimo it’s worth highlighting a significant change: the vintage evaluation system Previously rated using a star system (one to five stars) by the Consorzio this year’s evaluation was handed over to an external panel of eight Masters of Wine we are relying on an external commission of super experts,” Bindocci explained which will be available for sale in January underwent a multi-phase evaluation process that included meteorological aiming to highlight the vintage’s stylistic and distinctive personality This new method considers the climatic and regional factors unique to each vintage while incorporating both objective data and subjective impressions from experts “It was necessary to define a new paradigm for analyzing vintages no longer based solely on quantity but on objective “This innovation allows Montalcino’s producers to present themselves based on a contemporary evaluation model Masters of Wine Gabriele Gorelli and Andrea Lonardi traces the appellation’s contemporary quality and stylistic renewal while addressing climate challenges It also helps the region and producers communicate their identity more effectively.” Benvenuto Brunello also provides a platform to assess the denomination’s market status amid global consumption challenges While some winemakers voiced concerns about tough market conditions Brunello di Montalcino continues to perform well it holds a 32% share and achieved +5% growth in international markets (January–September 2024 vs Sales were split between 54% on-premise and 46% off-premise with a 5% increase in volume and a 1% rise in value This performance contrasts sharply with declines in many French and American wines Brunello’s growth outpaces major competitors like Beaune as well as regions like California’s Atlas Peak The value of Brunello di Montalcino continues to rise As Bindocci noted: “One hectare of Brunello vineyards is worth one million euros while Rosso di Montalcino land ranges in price between €400,000 and €500,000 This reflects high demand for Montalcino’s vineyards To appreciate the nuances of the 2020 vintage 2020 was initially feared for its lack of character and aging potential this vintage turned out to be a testament to producers’ ability to adapt to climatic challenges while the southern areas showcased Mediterranean warmth and saline nuances they represent a delightful and surprising vintage with both immediate appeal and ageing potential ripe red fruit balanced by an intriguing bitter note of anaerobic coffee and Mediterranean maquis shrubland with a striking aromatic depth with notes of quinine succulent finish reveals refreshing layers of mint and sweet bergamot Le Ragnaie Casanovina Montosoli Brunello di Montalcino 2020 this wine offers a powerful yet balanced profile The saline undertones enhance its sweetness Like a “katana,” the structure is precise and cutting reflecting the vineyard’s altitude with sharp notes of gentian The red flower and fruit aromas provide elegance while the potential for evolution is undeniable Canalicchio di Sopra Vigna Montosoli Brunello di Montalcino 2020 this wine boasts a perfect tannin structure and exceptional richness Aromas of cool spices and ripe red fruits dominate complemented by an alluring saline quality The northern terroir’s influence shines through in its velvety texture and restrained yet profound character with a complexity that unfolds beautifully over time Canalicchio di Sopra Vigna la Casaccia Brunello di Montalcino 2020 with delicate hints of watermelon and medicinal herbs that lead to a refined palate provide structure to the sweet cherry nuances showcasing a harmonious blend of fruit and herbal complexity and leather giving way to a savory and mineral-driven palate the wine’s depth promises significant development over time Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino 2020 it exhibits a firm structure with notes of blackberries and a subtle chestnut skin dryness that adds complexity Caparzo Vigna La Casa Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Notes of violets combine with hints of scorched earth and a fresher red fruit profile A wine that captures its terroir beautifully A slightly smoky finish adds intrigue to its otherwise elegant expression Its bright acidity and tangy orange peel notes provide freshness while its mineral core ensures a long and luminous finish Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Light in structure but with a beguiling elegance, this wine is still evolving and will reward patience. Notes of subtle wood influence underscore the delicate balance between red fruit and herbal aromatics. Best enjoyed after further aging to reveal its full potential. Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso Brunello di Montalcino 2020 A wild and slightly untamed wine, with aromas of anchovy, sage, and ripe fruit. While slightly disjointed, its sweet and savoury elements create a compelling complexity. The tannins provide grip, leading to a finish that leaves a lasting impression. Overflowing with seductive aromas of violets and quinine, this wine offers an impeccably balanced interpretation of the vintage. Rich and extractive, yet velvety and harmonious, it delivers depth and power with an elegant lift. A stellar achievement. Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Ethereal and captivating, this wine exudes delicate umeboshi plum notes alongside a saline freshness. Its elegance is unmatched, with a silky texture that supports its aromatic complexity. A masterpiece of refinement and poise. A Pinot Noir-inspired delicacy, this wine is a study in subtlety. Sweet red fruit flavours mingle with hints of liquorice root and herbal nuances like sage. Its lightness is deceptive, as it delivers a profound depth with saline contrasts and a luminous floral lift. A unique interpretation that radiates elegance and purity. Paradiso di Manfredi Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Captivatingly aromatic with notes of orange peel, wild mint, and briny capers, this wine strikes a balance between sweet and salty tannins. Juicy and bright on the palate, it exudes Mediterranean charm with a layered, succulent finish that promises longevity. Le Ripi Cielo di Ulisse Brunello di Montalcino 2020 A deeply extractive and richly-textured wine, showcasing ripe red fruits layered with earthy undertones. The tannins are finely grained, offering structure and depth. A vibrant and expressive interpretation with energy to spare. Tiezzi Soccorso Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Juicy and multifaceted, this wine impresses with its saline backbone and layered complexity. The palate offers a slightly drying texture, leading to a taut finish which emphasises its minerality. While restrained now, it promises an evolution worth waiting for. A Mediterranean mosaic of candied orange, pomegranate, and sour cherries. The fruit-forward palate is complemented by a savory minerality, creating a harmonious interplay between freshness and depth. A precise and vibrant wine that captures the essence of the vintage. Deliciously approachable, with sweet red fruit aromas and a simple yet satisfying finish. This is a classic Brunello for wide enjoyment, offering balance and a touch of sweetness that appeals to a broad audience. Casacce di Franceschi Brunello di Montalcino 2020 An evergreen classic in the making, this wine boasts a dynamic bouquet of Mediterranean herbs, balsamic notes, and fresh gentian. Its crunchy red fruit is underscored by a profound, expansive character, promising incredible aging potential and refinement. San Polino Helichrysum Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Complex and multidimensional, with Mediterranean aromatics, wild red fruits, and a saline tension that ties it all together. A contemporary yet grounded expression of Brunello that feels intricately tied to its southern terroir. Mastrojanni Vigna Loreto Brunello di Montalcino 2020 A perfumed vineyard expression, with earthy tones and intriguing woodsy undertones. The red fruit character is bright, with subtle herbal nuances and a textured, lingering finish that reflects its terroir’s unique identity. Sweet on the nose, but with a drying mid-palate that reveals its firm structure. The wine has impressive raw material, though it is still coming together. Time will refine its elements into a more cohesive and expressive whole. A charmingly sweet and aromatic expression with a nostalgic nod to the legacy of Giulio Gambelli. Notes of rosehip, red berries, and a delicate floral undertone lend this wine an almost romantic quality. While slightly restrained, it offers a nuanced and captivating profile. Poggio Antico Vigna ai Poggi Brunello di Montalcino 2020 A dark and precise wine, with cold spice aromas of cardamom and black pepper. The palate reveals striking minerality and a vibrant crunch, with remarkable depth and structure. A technical and impeccably executed wine that promises significant aging potential. Marked by a pronounced alcohol warmth on the nose, this wine reveals finely grained tannins and a striking saline finish. Built for aging, it’s a contemplative wine with hidden layers of amazingly well defined fruit, sweetness and complexity waiting to be discovered. A quintessential expression of Mediterranean character, with sweet red fruits, wild herbs, and a touch of earthiness. The tannins are sweet and polished, framing the juicy palate and leading to a lingering, vibrant finish. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. As CEO of Houston’s Goodnight Hospitality—the group behind restaurants March, Rosie … Winemaker Jared Etzel moves on from Domaine Roy & Fils to success with a new Pinot Noir … Winemakers bringing the region’s terroir to the fore Top wine pros share the sweet wines they think deserve more love, from Pedro Ximénez Sherry … Castello Solicchiata is the volcano’s most historic noble winery. Why is it hidden away? The Italian wine visionary sat down with  Wine Spectator's editor and publisher to chat … ShareSaveLifestyleSpiritsBrunello Di Montalcino’s ‘Grand Cru’ VineyardByCathrine Todd Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Cathrine Todd is a New York City-based writer who focuses on wine.Follow AuthorOct 31 02:39pm EDTShareSaveThis article is more than 5 years old.Montosoli Hill a hillside by the name of Montosoli has emerged as an impressive site The Brunello producer Altesino was the first to introduce the ‘cru’ idea with its bottling of their single vineyard ‘Montosoli’ Brunello di Montalcino in the 1970s; they also produce their regular Brunello di Montalcino that is a blend of vineyards In 2013 the estate was sold to Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini after the original owner passed away and despite her major investment in the vineyards and winery she is committed to staying true to the style of the wines especially Altesino’s Montosoli that has helped to place the producer on the map Baricci Family: Nello Baricci is second on the left with Francesco Buffi next to him and Federico .. Today Nello’s grandchildren run the estate with Francesco Buffi overseeing the vineyards and Federico Buffi taking over winemaking All of Baricci’s wines are still sourced from the Montosoli hill that is prized for its elegant and mineral driven wines Canalicchio di Sopra's Francesco Ripaccioli Canalicchio di Sopra was founded by Primo Pacenti in 1962 and he too was one of the original members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino Primo eventually divided the estate amongst himself and his brothers so he could continue producing wine under the Canalicchio name with his son-in-law Pier Luigi Ripaccioli in 1985 Today his grandson Francesco Ripaccioli is the winemaker running the estate with his two siblings The winery has had a great reputation for representing the wines of the Canalicchio area in which the family has had a long history but for the first time they will be releasing a bottling that is labeled with a single vineyard within Canalicchio with their ‘La Casaccia’ in 2015 followed by their ‘Montosoli’ in 2018 Canalicchio di Sopra's Casaccia Vineyard The Canalicchio area is located on the northeastern side of the Montalcino hill and the La Casaccia vineyard within this area is mainly clay based and shows more generosity; Francesco thought the warmer 2015 would be ideal as the first release of this single vineyard to highlight the “opulence and roundness” Montosoli is located on another hill that is a short distance away and the cooler 2018 vintage was chosen to bring out “the saltiness the minerality” that Francesco has so often found when tasting the Montosoli in tank before blending The Montosoli vineyard can be experienced already in the Canalicchio di Sopra 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva as it is sourced from 100% Montosoli Canalicchio di Sopra's Montosoli Vineyard Francesco says it may seem odd that they will have a single bottling of Montosoli since they are so known for their Canalicchio vineyards and that they haven’t previously made a single vineyard labeled Montosoli wine considered a superior site by many Brunello wine connoisseurs who originally owned the vineyards in Montosoli was a farmer that had always sold off the grapes to other producers for blending until Francesco’s father married his mother as it was then brought into the Canalicchio di Sopra estate for blending Francesco further explained the journey of Brunello to explain why it has taken time for producers to discover all the different possibilities of expression from this land Before World War I it was an area ruled by a handful of aristocratic families who controlled the local farmers and so everything was produced for their consumption; then it became a forgotten zone after World War II that resulted with only 3,000 people living in the area by the late 1950s as many people had fled since there were no prospects of earning a decent living And although the first Brunello di Montalcino wine was made in the late 1880s it was not recognized as a wine with a potential for quality until the original 25 members formed a coalition in the 1960s to raise the quality of their beloved Brunello the revered founders are considered the first generation to lay the foundation for what this fine wine has become today Francesco’s father was part of the second generation that brought the opportunity to blend from two great sites within the zone to bring a balance that his grandfather greatly appreciated and now Francesco himself is bringing his own contribution to showcase single vineyards while keeping their flagship blended Brunello di Montalcino an important aspect of their heritage Francesco is certainly part of the new generation that is leading Brunello to its next stage as he has taken time to analyze his own estate implement trials of observing the different plots that are fermented separately build a more modern winery on the hillside of his estate and share ideas with other young winemakers It was through his experimentation that he saw the contrasting qualities of the two outstanding sites of Casaccia and Montosoli and he knew it was time to be part of making his own contribution to his family’s legacy But he is adamant that one vineyard is not better than the other or that a single vineyard is not better than a blended vineyard Brunello and that is where it diverges from an official classification As the greatness of these wines do not lie in one vineyard or one interpretation of the Sangiovese grape variety from this zone impoverished families that decided to make great wine when the rest of the world didn’t know that they existed If these founding members had bought into the idea that something can only be great as long as it shows its superiority to other contemporaries they would have given up since they themselves were considered by others to be inferior It is this spirit of finding greatness on its own merit that makes these wines impressive and it is such a spirit that continues with Francesco’s generation Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker which works to protect and manage Italy’s best gardens celebrates its 25th anniversary with a heavenly new book Grandi Giardini Italiani was founded by Judith Wade in 1977 to raise awareness of the immense artistic and historic heritage of Italy’s best gardens Wade understood that the owners of these gardens needed advice about how to manage and promote them A sumptuously illustrated new book marking the 25th anniversary of Grandi Giardini Italiani issued in both Italian and English versions surveys the success of this garden program veteran horticulture journalist and herself part of the storied Agnelli family She has distilled the highlights of the 147 gardens in the network into an itinerary that also features their origin stories summons international literary antecedents Gardens for princes and popes are intermingled with artworks Ermenegildo Zegna’s resources created an oasis in the Alpine foothills with rhododendrons as a focal point was built by cardinals but passed into aristocratic hands displays enormous variety in both plants and statues one of the most refined gardens on Lake Como dates back to the Renaissance and is still in family hands So is the garden of the Palazzo Colonna in Rome entered via a gallery filled with artistic treasures whose owners were favored for centuries by the Vatican the Borghese garden in Sicily with its many species of cacti and succulents Rose enthusiasts can find joy in the Giardino della Rosa in Ronzone The Crespi family created the world’s first permanent bonsai museum outside Milan and Padua are dedicated to preserving local biodiversity and Mark Zuckerberg have benefited from this expertise but you don’t need to be a star to access the helpful index organized by region though not a substitute for the real thing will stimulate both your senses and your wanderlust Photos from Grandi Giardini Italiani: The Essence of Paradise with an introduction by Judith Wade and text by Delfina Rattazzi Patricia Zohn is a culture columnist who has contributed to numerous publications Agenda21500 obtained its first contract in Italy involving supply and sanitation project management thanks to the trust placed by Servizi Integrati Acque del Mediterraneo - SIAM S.p.A Agenda21500’s services consisted of searching selecting and recruiting a new Manager for the company and since the incorporation of the new manager had to be immediate an interim service was implemented until the incorporation of the new manager The successful search of Agenda21500 resulted in the hiring of a civil engineer from Sicily as the final contract manager which helped enormously in the candidate's personal integration a regular collaborator of the company with extensive experience in the water market in Spain and Argentina occupied the position The Syracuse water services provider supplies the municipalities of Syracuse Solarino and Florida in the island of Sicily with a total population equivalent of 150,000 and a designed flow rate of 27,400 cubic metres per day The facilities include 32 water abstraction points and 10 drinking water tanks which supply 50,000 water service customers the sanitation services include 450 kilometres of sewerage network and the Canalicchio Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) which has a treatment capacity of 0.5 cubic metres per second Agenda21500 obtained its first contract in the city of Syracuse involving supply and sanitation project management the interim manager assumed all the tasks and responsibilities of the position being also the representative of the company for the joint companies The main tasks with which Agenda21500 collaborated during the interim period were as follows: Agenda21500’s expertise was key to achieving rapid integration into the project’s teams and early detection of improvement needs and as an intrinsic scope of Agenda21500's services the content of the follow-up reports was analysed in weekly meetings with the incoming manager who was finally selected by SIAM he would know all the details about the management and responsibilities he was going to face significantly optimizing the time for the acquisition of information and integration into the company's organization chart the two managers worked closely together to guarantee the transition of information and transfer of responsibilities in accordance with the needs of our client With this contract and thanks to the trust put in us by our client Agenda21500 has returned to interim project management at the European level after the hiatus caused by the pandemic period we have consolidated our international presence in four of the five continents and we are confident that this year we will be able to expand our interim project management services to new geographical areas By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies It’s not every day you get the chance to see the first performance by a new ballet company but that’s precisely what happened last week at Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet school the associate school of Birmingham Royal Ballet where Elmhurst Ballet Company has now officially become the student company The new company has similar aims to other school companies such as Ballet Central in that it aims to bridge the gap “between school and professional life equipping students with the necessary skills and attributes to secure employment with world class dance companies.” The value of that cannot be overstated and emphasises that the dancers are not just students being educated but are professionals These may seem lofty messages to live up to but the school and its confident students have shown this to be already very much the case In their careers as dancers these students will lead professional lives founded on change and personal development learning new works and interacting always with new people and ideas A strong company ethos has always been in evidence at Elmhurst The formation of the Elmhurst Ballet Company not only takes that to another level but says it out loud for the first time The evening’s performance made it clear right from the start that the entire company know very much what they’re about The first half of Origins was sprinkled with favourites all subtly chosen to display the company’s versatility There was the balcony scene from Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet the clog dance from David Bintley’s Hobson’s Choice (making a long overdue return to Birmingham Royal Ballet in the summer) ‘Sugar Rum Cherry’ to Duke Ellington from Bintley’s Nutcracker Sweeties and finally Wayne McGregor’s modern and very athletic Entity The first half may have taken us through comparatively familiar territory but after the break came a particular delight in the form of excerpts from a classical standard bearer not seen that often these days A sneaky voice tells me this is because the classical tradition must always be the most telling showcase for the ballet dancer no matter how sophisticated any modern piece may be The aura of total performance was very much on view here the dancers composed and smiling serenely as if to say these almost impossible steps are nothing to us The result was sheer theatrical perfection and the audience recognised and responded to this with applause and warm cheers Part of the Elmhurst ethos is also that students should produce their own work tour and take ballet out into the community This first year sees Elmhurst Ballet Company perform only at the school and at the Lilian Baylis Studio Theatre at London’s Sadler’s Wells I’m sure that a tour of small or midscale venues A truly marvellous evening and a much-welcomed debut for this exciting new company Elmhurst Ballet Company are at the Lilian Baylis Studio Theatre at Sadler’s Wells, London on February 15, 2019. Visit www.sadlerswells.com for details Elmhurst Ballet School’s whole school programme entertaining evening of dance covering the broad range of dance the school offers and proud parents seeing everyone in action notes the importance of training versatile dancers for today’s dance industry but while Elmhurst has an unusual and diverse mix of dance styles for a ballet school it is open to question whether the curriculum is meeting the market well-groomed and the show ran like clockwork The first half showcased non-classical dance and bright-eyed smiling dancers from the tiniest to the tallest gave confident performances in choreography and performance was Wayne McGregor’s Entity Emilia Rouanet Feliu opened with a solo where she was ahead of the game with strong extensions a fluid torso and clear articulation in her movements something I didn’t see enough of in other dancers although Ryan Felix and Andrea Canalicchio gave impressive performances John Hopkins’ music developing from scratchy record to rhythmical beat in a work that is a fine addition to the Elmhurst Ballet Company repertoire a smart piece of neo-classical choreography built on a clever idea used pointes and partnering to good effect and was given a strong performance by the dancers of the school’s touring Company Cardim has been named as the fifth choreographer on Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Ballet Now programme of new works and will present on the company in summer 2020 opened the evening in bright costumes with an oriental flavour Buoyed up by super-confident performers with winning smiles it earned an enthusiastic audience response this was the case with most of the very entertaining jazz numbers there is sadly little employment for jazz dancers who are not also trained singers and there is fierce competition from stage schools turning out high quality ‘triple threat’ singer/dancer/actors each level showing an increase in sophistication and rhythmic complexity The dancers delivered with commitment and great style Spanish dance has been a significant part of the Elmhurst curriculum but while it may teach rhythm and footwork there are few employment opportunities available for non-specialists in this field Réves de Jeunesse showed the progression through the grades from 7–11 with the senior school presenting excerpts from Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Sleeping Beauty It was a chance to see all the lower school go through their paces It was well choreographed by the teaching staff The youngest of the boys were most impressive and working strongly for their age It was difficult to assess the quality of the Year 8s dressed in baggy overalls and dancing to Copland’s Rodeo The choreography for the girls was rather soft-edged characterised by careful port de bras and pas de bourrées nailing a good demi-plié and strong tendu sets the dancers up for the whole of their career and it would be good to have seen more of these The higher levels showcased some exceptional pupils whizzing off fouettés It climaxed on a careful exercise in pas de deux by the Year 11 a benchmark in the classical repertoire had its ups and downs but looked lovely in Philip Prowse’s exquisite costumes had a confident partner in Alex Johnson although there were a few close calls Andrea Canalicchio took over for the Prince’s solo and danced with great elán Walker’s solo was careful and started well but into the coda she had little energy left and just managed to get there were secure in the pas de deux showing quality and style in upper body Ghali danced a lovely solo but while Mitchell had crisp clean batterie Bluebird is one of the most exhausting of the male variations and he too struggled to finish he bounced back to execute a fine brisé diagonal in the coda The fairy solos were uneven often starting well but few managed a strong clean finish The opening scene of fairies and cavaliers was better The partnering was good and the dance well-rehearsed and well executed The Lilac Fairy attendants also danced with precision while Emilie Bouet Conran made a gracious Lilac Fairy has a valuable link as the associate school to Birmingham Royal Ballet also provides additional small-scale touring experience for graduating students While Elmhurst has a fine reputation as a school that nurtures and cares for its students in a holistic manner Ryan Felix has gained a BRB apprentice contract and several others are on trainee programmes with small companies but none have a contract with a major company or even good junior ballet company Technical standards in both classical and contemporary work do not seem to be matching the opportunities in a very competitive market