Sir Jeffrey Tate was much admired in Italy, and there was much affection on both sides. He thought Venice a dead city and turned down the post of music director at La Fenice there to take the equivalent post in Naples, where he quickly put down roots and made many friends. I spoke to him at the time of the great garbage crisis of 2007-08, but that did not matter.
“It’s a grand, fantastic city where there’s generosity of spirit,” he said. “Naples lives and breathes because of its people.” And he was full of praise for the musicians, their artistry and commitment. “Strictness is the rule of the day. There’s no southern laxness.”