We attended the memorial recital for Renato this past week. My daughter drove all the way from New Hampshire to attend. She played Jimbo's Lullaby from Debussy's Children's Corner. I played the Goldberg Variations Aria and many more students traveled from all over to perform, or sent video performances. We played on a 9ft Petrof in the First Congregational Church, which is one block from Beloit College, where Renato was the chair of the music department for many years. The college disappointed all of us because they would not allow it to take place on campus "due to covid restrictions".
It was a wonderful tribute to an amazing teacher, friend, husband to Nina, and father to Valentina. Valentina is 8 years old and played a duet that Renato arranged just for them. An old friend and student of Renato's played his part of the duet. It tugged at the heart strings on so many levels. Nina and Valentina flew in from Naples, FL that day and left the next day. They both gave short, emotional eulogies, and there was not a dry eye in the place.
I saw this photo of him with Michelangeli for the first time at the memorial. I love the smile on Michelangeli's face. You can see the joy on both of their faces.
[image: Renato-And-Michalangeli.jpg]