An Evening with the Maestro: Behind the Scenes with Evelino Pidò at the Royal Opera House
April 15, 2015, was one of those unforgettable nights at the Royal Opera House. Evelino Pidò had just conducted a brilliant performance of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia, and the energy from the audience’s ovation was still buzzing in the air as I made my way backstage. Moments like these are rare—the perfect blend of art, friendship, and shared memories.
Seeing him post-performance brought back memories of our earlier work together, when Evelino conducted for Vittorio Grigolo’s album. I remembered watching him guide Vittorio in the studio, his presence calm yet commanding, every cue thoughtful and precise. Evelino has an almost magical ability to pull out hidden depths from an artist, and in those recording sessions, he brought out the best in Vittorio. Their synergy in the studio was as electrifying as the atmosphere on stage tonight, with Evelino’s meticulous attention to detail and intuitive understanding creating moments of true artistry.
As we chatted in the dimly lit backstage corner, Evelino shared some stories from rehearsals—little anecdotes that reminded me why I admire him so much. His passion for music and his respect for every person on stage, from the lead to the ensemble, create an atmosphere where magic just happens. Tonight, he looked both exhausted and exhilarated, that unique mix that only comes after bringing a piece of music to life in front of an audience.
“Next time, we’ll get you up here too,” he teased, always encouraging, always with that warm, mischievous smile. Our paths have crossed many times over the years, but moments like these always remind me how lucky I am to know him not just as a maestro but as a friend. And tonight, after another unforgettable performance, I left with a renewed admiration for his artistry and a heart full of memories.
