February 03, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre has lowered its flags in honour of Franco Mannino, the NAC Orchestra’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor from 1982 to 1986, and Principal Guest Conductor until 1989 who died in Italy on February 1 at age 80. Maestro Mannino made four recordings with the NAC Orchestra, and led the Orchestra on tour including its first tour to Asia in 1985. The NAC is dedicating this week’s Orchestra concerts on February 3 and 4 to his memory.

Walter Prystawski the NAC Orchestra’s founding concertmaster said, “Franco Mannino was a wonderful conductor and composer who brought an Italian warmth and generous spirit to his work with the NAC Orchestra. He had a million dollar smile that we will miss.”

A composer, pianist, conductor, novelist, and playwright, Franco Mannino was one of Italy’s most distinguished artists. He conducted operas and concertos all over Italy, as well as Europe and North America, Japan, and was the first Italian artist to be invited to conduct the orchestras of Peking and Shanghai in China. He composed over 440 works including opera, ballet, oratory symphonies, chamber music and music for the theatre. He wrote music for more than a hundred films, most significantly those of Luchino Visconti, including Death in Venice.

Franco Mannino has received innumerable awards, prizes, and acknowledgments, including the gold medal awarded by the President of the Italian Republic. His NAC Orchestra recording, Canadian Classics Vol. II, won the "Grand Prix du Disque" from the Canadian Music Council.

Franco Mannino last conducted the NAC Orchestra in 1993, in a programme that included a performance of North Country which is being performed on this week’s concerts dedicated to his memory. He returned to the National Arts Centre in June 2004 as a special guest for the NAC’s 35^th anniversary celebrations.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca