When the old traditions of Italy came calling, 2000 people rose to the occasion. They dined and imbibed within the stunning gardens of Government House listening to the music of Puccini, Vivaldi, Verdi and Mascagni.

Soprano Gina Sanders and tenor Patrick Power sang arias, which filled the summer air and transported listeners to An afternoon in Tuscany.

Who did the Wellington Sinfonia turn to when they had this dream of creating an event which audiences would long for as an annual celebration?

Who delivered sponsorship, creative planning, skilled project management, communications and delivery of every logistic detail right down to the olives and vino in every picnic hamper?