The Inaugural Show: “An Italian Portrait in Music and Light”
As part of the celebrations for the inauguration of the two new Italian-flagged ships, Costa created an inaugural show entitled “An Italian Portrait in Music and Light.” The show is a tribute to the creativity, elegance and style synonymous worldwide with the “Made in Italy” label.
The theme of the show reflected the theme of the two new ships, music for the Costa Pacifica and light for the Costa Luminosa. The inspiration for the performance stems from colors that mark time in the cruise industry.
The show featured top Italian and international artists and performers. The performers included 10 members of the Italian National Rhythmic Gymnastics team, combining athletic perfection with superb choreography; and the French “Les Farfadais” company, in a stunning performance of aerial acrobatics. The artists who appeared included vocalist Z-Star; the group Rith-Mix, Maestro Mauro Pagani, the famed composer who created the sound track for the Costa Pacifica; and Noa, Israel’s most popular concert and recording artist, who has strong ties with Italy and has been chosen to be the godmother of the Costa Pacifica.
The performance was divided into 11 acts, each bearing the name of one of the colors defining the cruise vacation experience.
The program began at 10:30 p.m. and was arranged as follows:
- Deep orange: A warm welcome aboard, as captivating as the sound of soul, with subtle orange lighting - Welcome, sung by Z-Star
- Bright yellow: An electrifying high tempo experience, the excitement of mingling with great company. A special moment to be savored again, and again, and again - Otra vez, Orchestra conducted by Mauro Pagani
- A light shade of red: The focus of attention is far off, attracted by the endless sky, by the red passion of the sun forever anchored to the horizon. The crystal ship lights up, illuminating the skyline of a “new” New York - New York, New York, Orchestra conducted by Mauro Pagani, sung by Z-Star
- Mellow blue: The blue tones of the night set the mood, in a contrast of light and shade. The excitement reaches fever pitch and hovers over the sea - Fever, Orchestra conducted by Mauro Pagani, sung by Z-Star
- Dreaming in color: Where does reality begin and fantasy end? Blurred but precise, the dream takes shape in the form of secret curves and son et lumière sensations - Ghost dream, choreography by Rith-Mix
- Shining pink: Let the new day begin. And fill my eyes and my innermost being. I can’t wait to see what new amazing surprises the day has in store for me - Mishaela, sung by Noa
- Golden ages: An exotic port, waiting to be explored. Adventuring amidst scents, sounds, traces of antiquity from a timeless world. A golden age of knowledge, culture and the wealth of the soul. The art of knowledge or art to be discovered? - Heart and head, sung by Noa
- Emerald green: A sea of green once more, a voyage between the sky and the infinite. Give me more deep green and unknown blue. Wanderlust and the desire to see new horizons with my own eyes - Santa Lucia, sung by Noa
- Mysterious indigo: The secrets of the sea, the filtered light of the blue continent, muffled sound, the dolphin’s call - Water flying, choreography by Rith-Mix
- Sky blue: Home. Home at last. Trompe l’oeil shutters and pastel walls. This is where I was born, under a restless sky. A twisting alleyway leading down to the waterfront is calling me. Can I resist the temptation? - Creuza de ma, Mauro Pagani
- Green, white and red: The portrait is complete. It’s time for the official ceremony and the christening of the two ships: their godmothers are Valentina Vezzali and Noa, the “Master of Ceremonies” is Ilaria D’Amico.
Finale: Giorgia in concert and a fireworks show
After the christening ceremony, the amphitheater formed by the two ships moored at Ponte Doria Dock became the venue for a performance by Giorgia, one of the most talented singers in Italian pop music history, whose voice, energy and personality have brought her international success. Currently appearing on her nationwide Spirito Libero 2009 Tour, Giorgia treated the guests at Costa Cruises’ inaugural event to six of her greatest hits.
The June 5 celebrations concluded in a public display with fireworks, music and lights for the city of Genoa. The display began at midnight above the Porto Antico area.
Costa Cruises is Italy and Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. For the past 60 years its ships have sailed the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations with the best in fun and relaxation. In 2008, 1.2 million guests chose to cruise with Costa, a record for the European cruise industry.
The company’s 14 fleet members, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. Three additional ships are on order through 2012.
Costa Cruises has been certified by RINA (Italian Shipping Register) with the BEST4, an integrated system of voluntary certification of corporate compliance with the highest standards governing social accountability (SA 8000, issued in 2001), environment (UNI EN ISO 14001, 2004), safety (OHSAS 18001, 1999) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2000). All ships in the Costa fleet have been assigned RINA’s Green Star notation certifying that they are operated in compliance with the highest environmental protection standards. Costa Cruises is an official partner of the WWF for the protection of the marine ecoregions of the Mediterranean, the Greater Antilles and Brazil. In Mediobanca’s 2008 survey of over 3,700 Italian enterprises that recorded revenue of at
least 50 million euros the previous fiscal year, Costa Crociere S.p.A. ranks 72nd in terms of sales and in 12th place in regards to profitability.
For reservations or more information regarding Costa Cruises, guests may contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com.
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