Bonn, 9 May 2016 - For the fourth consecutive year, the operatic choir Lirica San Rocco from Bologna, Italy gave a benefit concert in Bonn as part of the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day.

The programme of the concert contained ten arias from famous works by leading composers, including Verdi’s Aida, Delibes’ Lakmé and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.  Each aria was set in a different country reflecting the various places that birds pass through on their migrations.

The Director of the choir is Marialuce Monari and one of the tenors is Fernando Spina, who serves as the Chair of Scientific Council of the Convention of Migratory Species, which together with the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement organizes the annual World Migratory Bird campaign and the concert.

“It is always a great pleasure to welcome the choir back to Bonn and I am really envious of Fernando who through the concert can combine two great passions – music and the conservation of migratory birds”, said Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary of CMS.

Bonn’s Bürgermeister (Mayor) Reinhard Limbach was also present and after the concert presided over the ceremonial cutting of a cake to commemorate twenty years of UN presence in the city. Former Oberbürgermeister (Lord Mayor), Jürgen Nimptsch was also in the audience, and as last year, joined the choir on stage for the finale.

The concert would not have been possible without the generous support of the German Federal Environment Ministry (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorensicherheit – BMUB), the City of Bonn and the Lions International. The proceeds from the concert will be used to further the work of the Task Force on the illegal killing of migratory birds.