Bellini - New Italian Venue Opens in Phnom Penh
Bellini, the newest outdoor venue in the vibrant BKK1 area of Phnom Penh, has officially opened its doors to the public this month. Founded by Gabriele Faja and Massimiliano Tropeano, with the expertise of Italian Chef Michele Magni, Bellini promises a unique fusion of Italian food, drink and artistic experiences.
Strategically located next to Soundskool Music BKK, Bellini aims to create a dynamic synergy between the culinary world and the arts. According to Gabriele, "I've been waiting many years to combine an Italian bar and restaurant with Soundskool Music, The Piano Shop Cambodia, in collaboration with the group Italian Cambodia Arts." The venue is set to stage a variety of events in its outdoor setting, ranging from classical concerts to film screenings and art exhibitions.
Faja envisions a different perspective for patrons to enjoy performing and visual arts while savoring authentic Italian food and drinks. The venue plans to experiment with an outdoor Jazz club-style seating arrangement, promising a unique and immersive experience for its guests.
Pianist and music impresario Gabriele Faja had a busy season in 2023, including recitals with Ai Iwasaki - Reflets de Lili - exploring the music of Lili Boulanger for Women's Day at Institut Français du Cambodge.
He performed for the The Piano Trilogy at Meta House for the Kantha Bopha Foundation, and the Music festival at the French Institute with Etienne Chenevier and Maurice Girard.
He continued promoting the 8-concert series under the Piano Shop Cambodia Musical Moments at Raffles Le Royal, and the The International Music Festival with Artistic Director Anton Isselhardt. He ended the year with the staging of the Opera Madama Butterfly at Koh Pich Theatre, in collaboration with The Italian Embassy in Bangkok.