Puccini jazz project

In 2024, singer and composer Maheya Collins received a prestigious recognition on the occasion of the fourth edition of the Maria Callas Tribute Prize, held at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York. The event, held to promote Italian culture and music worldwide, honored personalities who have distinguished themselves through their artistic, cultural, and social contributions.

The invitation to present the "Puccini 100 in Jazz" project in New York came on the initiative of Dante Mariti, president of Melos International, who recognized the artistic and international value of the proposal dedicated to the centenary of Giacomo Puccini's passing.

During the event, Maheya Collins, together with pianist and composer Sandro Barbieri, presented the "Puccini 100 in Jazz" project: an elegant reinterpretation of the Puccini repertoire blending opera, jazz, and contemporary sounds.

The centerpiece of the evening was the reinterpretation of "E lucevan le stelle," the famous aria from Tosca, performed with a crossover language capable of pairing respect for opera tradition with a modern musical aesthetic. The performance met with broad acclaim from both audience and critics, proving that Italian opera masterpieces can be reinterpreted without sacrificing their emotional intensity.

As stated by the artist: "It is a tremendous thrill to be invited, welcomed, and applauded in such an extraordinary setting as New York," emphasizing how the project represents a natural convergence of different yet deeply complementary musical languages.

The success achieved at the Maria Callas Tribute Prize marked an important milestone in Maheya Collins' artistic journey and gave further momentum to the development of the Puccini Jazz Project, an international initiative born out of the "Puccini 100 in Jazz" experience aimed at celebrating Giacomo Puccini's legacy through a dialogue between opera tradition, jazz, world music, and contemporary music.

A distinctive element of the project is the collaboration with Plácido Domingo Jr., an international songwriter, producer, and artist who helps expand the initiative's global reach. Through concerts, recordings, and cultural events, the Puccini Jazz Project offers fresh interpretations of Puccini's most celebrated works, preserving their melodic richness while enhancing them with new arrangements and stylistic crossovers.

Grazie ai riconoscimenti ottenuti in Italia e all’estero, e al successo riscosso a New York, il Puccini Jazz Project

Thanks to the accolades received both in Italy and abroad, as well as its success in New York, the Puccini Jazz Project has established itself as a high-profile cultural initiative, building a bridge between Italy's great opera tradition and contemporary musical languages, and contributing to the global reach of Giacomo Puccini's musical heritage through a creative dialogue between tradition, innovation, and the future.