Voices without instruments: Italian Republic Day reception in Kathmandu turns musical

May 27, Kathmandu: What began as a formal diplomatic reception in Kathmandu on Tuesday turned into an unexpected musical experience, as an Italian a cappella group performed without any instruments.

Italy’s 80th Republic Day was marked at Hotel Aloft in Kathmandu, bringing together diplomats, government officials, business representatives and members of the cultural community. The event was hosted by Ambassador of Italy to Nepal Antonio Bartoli and Honorary Consul General Pratima Pande. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ganesh Dhakal, attended as the chief guest.

The evening featured a performance by the Italian vocal group Mezzotono, which used only voice to recreate rhythm, melody and harmony.

Performing without instruments, the group presented Italian classics such as Mambo Italiano and Buonasera, along with English, Brazilian and Latin-inspired arrangements. Their performance also included a piece inspired by The Lion King, featuring its well-known Swahili opening chant.

The vocal-only format created layered harmonies and rhythmic effects that replaced traditional instrumentation, drawing steady attention from the audience throughout the performance.

Earlier in the program, Ambassador Bartoli highlighted growing cooperation between Italy and Nepal in areas such as tourism, climate research, cultural heritage, renewable energy and support for small and medium enterprises. He also noted shared values between the two countries, including respect for heritage, family ties and environmental protection.

The performance added a cultural dimension to the diplomatic reception, offering guests an introduction to a cappella music, a form less commonly experienced in Nepal.