february 14, 12 noon




3 Events: Italian music, film, food and wine, just $50.

The 4th annual New Mexico Italian Film Festival opens with with an entire afternoon of film, food and wine, for 307 Festival patrons, and of course will benefit the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital.

• Event One ~ 12 Noon
South Broadway Cultural Center.


The Gala Opening will begin at the South Broadway Cultural Center with delciousAntipasto prepared by Tully’s Market, mimosas by Southern Wine & Spirits, coffee by Ecco and biscotti by DiPietro Biscotti Company

• Event Two ~ 1 PM
A special presentation of Norma

Acclaimed by many as “the ultimate Italian opera”, the 2010 Italian Film Festival will open with the presentation of Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma. Enduring over time, since its La Scala introduction in 1831, the modern video version fills the screen and the auditorium with some of the most beautifully-composed vocal music in all of opera.


Norma is an intensely dramatic work, where the music is composed as the medium to bring the text to life and not just to showcase the star singers. Sung in Italian, with English sub-titles, the star performers include soprano Dimitra Theodossiou, tenor Carlo Ventre and Mezzosoprano, Nidia Palacios.


The opera presentation of Norma, will be surrounded by more Italian culture in the form of classic samplings of Italian food and wine. Catered by some of the best of Albuquerque eateries, antipasto will be available from the 12Noon opening of the doors until the beginning of Act I in the auditorium of the South Broadway Cultural Center.

Between Acts I and II, an intermezzo dinner will be served, accompanied with fine Italian wine. Following the performance, dolce of cookies, gelato and coffee will be provided.


• Event Three: ~ 2:30 PM
Intermezzo dinner catered by Scalo Northern Italian Grill, Bravo Cucina Italiano and Mimi’s Kitchen…..accompanying wine from Southern Wine & Spirits

• Event Four: ~ 3:30 PM
Act II of Norma
This 2007 film won several international awards, and is the 2nd part of the New Mexico premier.

• Event Five: ~ 4:50 PM
Dolce, featuring gelato and coffee from Ecco Espresso & Gelato and Italian cookies from SaraTori Bakery

Opening Day Caterers: Bravo Cucina Italiana, Ecco Espresso & Gelato,  DiPietro's New Mexico Biscotti Company, Mimi’s Cafe, Saratori's di Tully Bakery, Scalo Northern Italian Grill, Southern Wine & Spirits and Tully’s (Italian) Market.

Tickets for this spectacular afternoon of film, food and wine are just $50. Click the Order Tickets button above or call the Festival phone number (505) 277-9723.

The opera performance of Norma was granted by Qualiton Records
DVD 33493 available through Qualiton Imports in the US at www.qualiton.com