The project, dubbed Metamorphosis, focuses on transforming what otherwise might be discarded into something of value to society: rotten wood into fine instruments, inmates into craftsmen, all under the principle of rehabilitation. Two inmates were granted leave to see the concert featuring 14 prison-made stringed instruments playing a program that included works by Bach and Vivaldi. Other inmates, like Nikolae, who joined Lamponi at La Scala, are permitted more latitude. His own rocky journey to a new country has given him an understanding of the desperation that drove migrants onto unseaworthy boats. Originally, the boats were being transformed into crucifixes and nativity scenes, but the inmates who were already trained luthiers thought: why not instruments?

---

Persons: Bach, Vivaldi, Giuseppe Sala, “, ”, Claudio Lamponi, Nikolae, Lamponi, Nikolae —, ’ ’, ” Lamponi, Andrea Volonghi, ’ ’ Volonghi, Mario Brunello, Arnoldo Mosca Mondadori Organizations: MILAN, Orchestra of, Scala, La Scala, rosaries, Opera, Spirit and Arts Foundation, Orchestra Locations: Italy’s, La, Rome, Tunisia, Cremona, Milan