Riccardo Muti awarded “Benemerito della Lingua Italiana 2024” by Accademia della Crusca

Riccardo Muti has been awarded the “Benemerito della Lingua Italiana 2024” award by the Accademia della Crusca. The prize is awarded by the Academy of the Italian Language to those who are not linguists but who have contributed to the dissemination and mastery of the Italian language.

Paolo D'Achille, President of the Florentine Academy of Languages, spoke on the occasion, “Muti draws inspiration from history and current events to propose a reflection on Italian music. Maestro Muti has led some of the most prestigious foreign orchestras as a conductor, tirelessly educated and nurtured young people, and witnessed and promoted the Italian language. Muti admonished singers in rehearsals to have clear, correct diction, cautioned all performers to respect the meaning of the musical text, and demanded that the original libretto be scrupulously honored in operatic performances without inappropriate innovations to it.” D'Achille said, “We eagerly await the day Maestro Muti comes to Crusca to receive his award.