The spirit of the season was in full swing on 12th December as the Monaco Ambassadors Club (MAC) welcomed nearly 140 guests to its annual Christmas Gala at the iconic Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris. Known for its blend of elegance, generosity, and festive cheer, this year’s soirée once again proved a highlight on Monaco’s social calendar.
The evening began in a sparkling winter wonderland, a scene straight out of a storybook and brought to life by MAC General Secretary Alessandra Luna Sparaco. With snowy touches and festive charm, the Salle Empire was transformed into a magical setting that had guests reaching for their cameras before even reaching for a glass of champagne.
Umberto Tozzi has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide in his career. Photo source: MAC
UMBERTO TOZZI: AN ARTIST AND AMBASSADOR
This year’s ceremony was particularly emotional as the audience welcomed Umberto Tozzi, a legendary figure in international music, best known for timeless hits such as Ti Amo and Gloria. With over 50 years in the music industry, 80 million albums sold, and more than 2,000 concerts worldwide, Tozzi has become a symbol of Italian and global musical culture.
Having resided in Monaco since 1992, Tozzi’s connection to the Principality is strong, highlighted by his participation in the wedding of Prince Albert II in 2011. During the pandemic, he organised a virtual concert from Monaco’s iconic Salle des Étoiles to support artists and technicians impacted by the crisis.
Prince Albert II presented the 2024 Goodwill Ambassador Award to Umberto Tozzi, recognising both his notable career and his longstanding connection to Monaco.
Prince Albert with, from left to right, Riccardo Giraudi, (Board of Directors), Mike Powers (Vice-President), Filippo Ghirelli (Co-President), Umberto Tozzi, Monika Tozzi, Alessandra Sparaco (General Secretary), Christian Moore (President), Luc Leleux (Treasurer), and Eric Brundage (Board of Directors)
A FAREWELL TOUR AND A SPECIAL TRIBUTE
The gala also served as an opportunity to celebrate Tozzi’s final world tour, L’Ultima Notte Rosa: The Final Tour. Accompanied by a 21-piece orchestra, Tozzi is offering his fans a final musical farewell across four continents. A live painting of Tozzi was created during the event, which the artist signed before donating it to the Prince Albert II Foundation, to be auctioned for charity.
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