Villa Igiea, Palermo’s temple of Liberty-style luxury (the Italian Art Nouveau), was the setting Eddie and Laura chose to celebrate their wedding. A typical destination wedding, then? Not quite! Eddie and Laura are both from Palermo: while still very young they built their thriving company in New York, and now they’re coming back to Sicily to celebrate their wedding with their families, following Sicilian traditions.

Aperitivo by the Villa Igiea marina

Salvo Samaritano and Roberto Mezzatesta playing as a duo at a seaside aperitivo, boats in the background. Close-up. Villa Igiea, Palermo.

Salvo Samaritano and Roberto Mezzatesta playing as a duo at a seaside aperitivo, boats in the background. Wide shot. Villa Igiea, Palermo.

Extreme close-up of Salvo Samaritano singing "Che cosa c'è" by Gino Paoli. The moon in the background

The villa stands on top of a cliff, above the area that houses the Port of Acquasanta. From its terrace you look out over the splendid Villa Igiea “Marina”, a harbor for luxury yachts, and the evening lights reflected on the water and on the masts of the moored yachts make a magical backdrop for our voice and piano duo, which accompanies the aperitivo, the drinks reception before dinner, for Eddie and Laura’s guests.

Plenty of Sicilians but also plenty of New Yorkers are here, so today’s repertoire, starting with the opening duo, includes songs in both languages: some international pop, lots of Italian pop (and lots of applause for “Oggi sono io” by Britti) and a few traditional Sicilian songs, such as “Nicuzza” and “Mi votu e mi rivotu”.

A triumphant entrance

Salvo Samaritano sings "Senza fine". The couple's entrance, Villa Igiea, Palermo

Roberto Mezzatesta plays "Senza fine". The couple's entrance, Villa Igiea, Palermo

And here is their entrance into the hall: a grand homecoming to the city they come from, and a heartfelt, loving ovation from friends who know their story, their great love and the sacrifices they made to reach truly extraordinary goals in life.

They chose “Senza fine” for their entrance. This is our performance of that wonderful song, played for them on that occasion, and it is also our wish for their marvelous story: may it last forever, in a moment that is truly “senza fine”, without end.