At 12.30 today, a press conference was held in the Holy See Press Office to present the Fifth Concert with the Poor, to be held tomorrow, Saturday 7 December in the Paul VI Hall.

The speakers were: Msgr. Marco Frisina, artistic director of the Concert with the Poor and director of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome; Maestro Hans Zimmer, composer; Maestro Tina Guo, composer and cellist; and Maestro Dario Vero, composer and orchestra conductor.

Dr. Riccardo Rossi, creator and organizer of the event, CEO of Nova Opera, and Mr. Gualtiero Ventura, creator and organizer of the event, were present and available to speak to the press.

The following are the interventions:

Intervention of Msgr. Marco Frisina

The Concert with the Poor represents an extraordinary opportunity to share the gift of music with our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Our wish is to offer them, in the majesty of the Paul VI Hall, the opportunity to participate in a high-level Concert, with a great orchestra and choir and with extraordinary guests. This means giving our friends something great and elevated by putting them at the centre of the event, in the front row, which is usually reserved for so-called “important” personalities. This time, however, it will be the poor who will be the guests of honour at this great event that has been prepared for them. This 7 December will be the fifth Concert with the Poor, as was the case with the other editions, this year too there will be great artists with whom I will share the evening. In previous editions we have had the conductor Daniel Oren, the composers Ennio Morricone and Nicola Piovani, the conductor Speranza Scappucci, this year we will have with us the author of many successful soundtracks Hans Zimmer, with him will be the cellist Tina Guo and the composer Dario Vero.

In addition, as presenter and singer we will be accompanied by Serena Autieri. In the first part of the concert, I will conduct some themes from my soundtracks taken from TV films about the Bible and inspired by the lives of the saints. I will have with me special soloists such as pianist Gilda Buttà, cellist Tina Guo, and recorder player Giorgio Matteoli. We will start with the piece Come le stelle del cielo (Like the stars of heaven), from the film Abraham, to some themes from Moses, ending with the Meeting with the brothers from the film Joseph, all music that comments on scenes and episodes from the Old Testament. Serena Autieri will then perform the Magnificat I wrote for Mina in 2000, which will introduce us to themes inspired by New Testament themes and characters. The choir and orchestra will perform Pacem in terris, the theme of the film Pope John XXIII, an occasion to join the cry of so many victims of war who ask the Lord: “dona nobis pacem”. Then there will be the themes of the films Magdalene and Judas. The song God is love, on the other hand, will introduce us to Open the doors, from the film John Paul II, a powerful call to the world to open the doors of the heart to Christ the Redeemer. I hope that music can increasingly become an instrument for encounter and sharing: it is a precious means for evangelization, because it breaks down walls, opens windows and enables the great spiritual content to be spread universally. Music needs no translation or much explanation; everyone can understand it. Moreover, it unites the diverse and the distant, it is able to involve and elevate every man and woman, it can touch the heart of their soul offering to the Holy Spirit the possibility of entering the heart in order to let them experience God’s love. Today’s world needs music so that it may rediscover its soul and the joy of encountering each other, listening to each other, and understanding each other, to walk together and build a world of peace.

Intervention of Maestro Hans Zimmer

I am deeply honoured to participate in the Concert with the Poor here at the Vatican, an event that demonstrates how art and music can be powerful instruments of solidarity and inclusion. This is not just a concert: it is an act of love, a concrete gesture towards those who are less fortunate, an invitation to reflect on what unites us as human beings. Each piece I have chosen for this occasion carries a special meaning. The Pearl Harbor suite recalls a historic anniversary that urges us not to forget the lessons of the past, turning pain into a message of peace and reconciliation. Time, from Inception, is a piece that explores the concept of time, an iconic piece in all my production, while Angels and Demons is a tribute to the city of Rome, a place that encompasses centuries of history, faith and culture; finally, the themes from Pirates of the Caribbean are a dedication to the Italian audience, who loved this film so much. I want to sincerely thank Monsignor Marco Frisina and Nova Opera for making this extraordinary experience possible. The dedication of the musicians of the Nova Opera Orchestra and the Choir of the Diocese of Rome creates a unique magic that elevates every note and transforms it into a universal message of hope. I am also grateful to Tina Guo, an extraordinary musician and a great collaborator of mine, for bringing her incredible energy to this project. This event is a musical journey that allows us to connect with the guests of honour, our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, reminding us that true wealth is the ability to share and give. Every gesture, every note played, is a tangible sign of closeness and support. I thank Nova Opera for the vision behind this initiative and for creating a platform that combines the beauty of music with the universal values of solidarity and love of neighbour.

Intervention of the cellist Tina Guo

Participating in the Concert with the Poor is for me an extraordinary and profoundly touching experience. Music has always had the power to unite, to overcome cultural and social barriers, and this occasion represents a shining example of how art can inspire hope and cohesion.

To play on the stage of the Paul VI Hall, together with my dear friend Hans Zimmer, with whom I have had the honour of collaborating for fifteen years, makes me happier and all the more honoured for this occasion. I am also proud to be able to play for Maestro Msgr. Marco Frisina and the Nova Opera Orchestra in the beautiful and touching piece God is Love.

Every piece we will perform tells a story and carries a universal message: Time explores our connection with time and the present, Pirates of the Caribbean evokes strength and adventure, whereas Angels and Demons celebrates the history and eternal fascination of the Vatican and of Rome.

I am also keen to perform the pieces composed by Dario Vero, a talent and a composer capable of combining innovation and emotional depth. It is a joy to bring his works to life together with such an extraordinary orchestra, which transforms every note in to an unforgettable experience. I am excited to premiere Maestro Dario Vero's new work, Revelation for Cello and Symphony, composed especially for this concert.

Playing for Monsignor Frisina, an artist and spiritual guide of rare sensitivity, is a source of inspiration for me. His music is not just art, but a journey that brings us closer to the divine and the beauty of the human soul. I am grateful for the privilege of playing alongside him and sharing this moment with talented artists and the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, a true choral force that celebrates the power of collective music.

I want to thank Nova Opera for their dedication and for making this wonderful evening possible. Their commitment to uniting art and solidarity is a powerful example of how through beauty it is possible to dream and build a better, more humane world.

The heart of this event, however, are the guests of honour: our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. It is for them that we play, it is for them that each note resonates with special meaning. I hope that music can bring comfort, hope and joy, reminding us all that, even in the most difficult times, there is always beauty to be shared for the common good.

This Concert is not just a one-night event, but a message of peace and love that shows how the arts of music and solidarity can transform the world, one note at a time, one hand extended whenever you meet someone in need.

Intervention of Maestro Dario Vero

I am deeply honoured and delighted to conduct the Nova Opera Orchestra for the ‘Concert with the Poor’. When I was offered the orchestral direction of this annual event with such distinguished artists, my reaction was one of pure joy. It is an immense privilege to be able to play and conduct for the less fortunate. I deeply believe that in life it is important to give, more than to receive. This project represents the heart of music: to bring joy, emotion and dignity to those who need it most.

Working with Tina Guo is always a pleasure. We have collaborated in the past on several soundtracks, including that of the film The Daughter. Tina is an extraordinary artist. With Hans Zimmer, who immediately embraced this cause with enthusiasm, it will be a unique experience to perform his famous suites. And to work with Maestro Marco Frisina, who will conduct the first part of the concert, is an indescribable honour. His music is pure joy and his talent is a benchmark for us all. This concert is special because it represents a universal message: music unites, it overcomes barriers and borders. It is the most powerful language that exists. When we play together, we do not need words: just a few bars, and the emotion overwhelms us.