Migrant boats transformed into musical instruments at Opera prison

The 'Metamorfosi' project has been initiated by the Fondazione Casa dello Spirito e delle Arti di Milano, utilizing timber from ten migrant vessels that arrived in Lampedusa to create musical instruments at the Opera prison near Milan. Silvio Di Gregorio leads this effort, which has garnered backing from Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese, Customs director Marcello Minenna, and Agrigento prefect Maria Rita Cocciufa. This follows a 2021 endeavor where luthier Enrico Allorto fashioned a violin from wood of a nativity scene, known as the 'Violino del Mare,' which was blessed by Pope Francis and performed on February 4, 2022. The foundation aspires to establish an 'Orchestra del Mare,' with the inaugural string quartet anticipated by Christmas 2022, featuring contributions from composers like Nicola Piovani, while some boats will serve educational functions.