“Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra”
Award

On 22 October 2004 the first "Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra" Award was presented to Dr. Gianni Letta, Undersecretary for the President's Office of the Council of Ministers, in recognition of his moral support. The award ceremony took place in the "Sala della Conciliazione" in the Palazzo Lateranense.

On 21 February 2006 the second "Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra" Award was presented to His Eminence Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter's in the Vatican, for his efforts in the protection and conservation of sacred art as President of the Pontificial Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church (March 1993 - October 2003) and President of the Permanent Commission for the Protection of Historical and Artistic Monuments of the Holy See. The Award was presented by the Italian Ministry of Culture On.le Rocco Buttiglione, during a solemn ceremony in the Church Santissimo Salvatore at San Michele a Ripa Grande in Rome.

On 13 October 2008 the third “Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra” Award was conferred to Dr. Mariapia Garavaglia, Senator of the Republic at this time, and to Richard de Tscharner in a solemn ceremony at the National Roman Museum in the Palazzo Altemps, owned by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities. The Prize to Sen. Dr. Mariapia Garavaglia was presented by His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Comastri for the moral support in the diffusion and promotion of music and sacred art demonstrated with the assiduous presence at the Festival of Sacred Music and Art. The Prize to Richard de Tscharner was presented by the Hon. Dr. Gianni Letta, Undersecretary of the State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, for his commitment in the preservation of music and sacred art as Patron of the Foundation.

Msgr. Domenico Bartolucci, Music Director Emeritus of the Papal Choir „Capella Sistina", in recognition of his life’s work as composer, teacher and choir master and his important achievements in the field of Sacred Music, having dedicated himself tirelessly to Sacred Music in the Vatican and throughout the world for more than 50 years;

Prof. Dr. Clemens Hellsberg, President of the Vienna Philharmonic, as representative of the Vienna Philharmonic, in recognition of the highest achievements in music of the Orchestra’s members who, with their unanimously recognized professionalism and their immense musical talent for reaching listeners’ hearts, can play upon human heart-strings with their marvellous Sacred Music.

Dr. h.c. Hans Urrigshardt, a German Patron, in recognition for his generous activity as Patron of the Festival, and for having worked for years to promote the Foundation’s aims.

His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Comastri held the laudationes, while His Eminence Francesco Cardinal Marchisano and Dr. Gianni Letta handed the diplomas and awards (an artistic candle each, created by Heribert Schenk of Memmingen in Germany) out to the award winners.

Mgr. Pablo Colino, Prefect of the Music Department of St Peter in the Vatican, for dedicating himself to sacred music in the Vatican and throughout the world for more than 50 years;

Prof. Dr. Dr. Herbert Batliner, Knight of the Grand Cross with Diamonds of the Principality of Liechtenstein, as a grand Patron and supporter of sacred music and art;

M° Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Austrian conductor, in recognition of his great merits in the field of sacred music;

M° Tomomi Nishimoto, Japanese conductor, for her determination in the rediscovery of the musical tradition of the Orasho in Japan as derived fromGregorian chant, and for her research on these antique songs.