Marco Calliari celebrates 20 years of 'Mia Dolce Vita' at Théâtre Outremont with family and Italian musicians
The Montreal singer-songwriter's 2006 album marked a turning point in his career. Friday's anniversary concert will feature a seven-piece ensemble and special guests from Italy.
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Montreal singer-songwriter Marco Calliari is marking the 20th anniversary of 'Mia Dolce Vita,' the album that shaped his solo career, with a celebration concert at Théâtre Outremont on Friday, October 23.
Released in 2006, the album brought together interpretations of Italian songs spanning traditional Neapolitan music, opera, anti-fascist songs, and contemporary rock. Tracks include "L'Italiano," "Bella Ciao," and "Tu vuò fà l'americano."
Calliari, born in Quebec to Italian parents, described the album's release as a watershed moment. "When Mia Dolce Vita came out in 2006, I felt like Italian music didn't exist in Quebec," he said. Raised under Quebec's French-language education system, Calliari describes himself as a product of two linguistic worlds—his life lived in French, his musical work in Italian.
Though he didn't set out to become an ambassador for Italian music in Quebec, the role has become central to his career. "I feel like an ambassador, it wasn't any goal, I never really have a goal, except just having fun, doing music," Calliari said. What matters most to him is the connection his music creates across communities. "When I play my Italian shows, it's a very Francophone public, but there's nothing against Anglophone or Italians. We want Italians and we want Anglophones, we want Chinese and Germans and Albanese, we want everybody, because music is for that."
Before his solo work, Calliari was a member of the thrash metal group Anonymus, which he formed in 1989 with Carlos Araya and brothers Daniel and Oscar Souto.
Friday's concert will feature a seven-piece ensemble: Julie Houle on tuba, Marie-Anne Arsenault on bass, Élyze Venne-Deshais on clarinet, saxophone and flute, Amélie Poirier-Aubry on accordion, Tim S. Savard on multiple instruments, and Demetrio Maso on drums. Special guests travelling from Italy will join the performance, and Calliari's father will take the stage to sing songs from northern Italy with his son.
"A big, big feast, big explosion of emotions," Calliari said of the evening. The show will run approximately two-and-a-half hours plus intermission.
The details
When and where is the concert?
Marco Calliari's anniversary concert takes place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Théâtre Outremont in Montreal.
What album is being celebrated?
'Mia Dolce Vita,' released in 2006, features interpretations of Italian songs including traditional Neapolitan music, opera, anti-fascist songs, and contemporary rock.
Who will perform at the concert?
A seven-piece ensemble will accompany Marco Calliari, including Julie Houle on tuba, Marie-Anne Arsenault on bass, Élyze Venne-Deshais on clarinet and saxophone, Amélie Poirier-Aubry on accordion, Tim S. Savard on multiple instruments, and Demetrio Maso on drums. Special guests from Italy and Calliari's father will also perform.
How long will the show last?
The concert will run approximately two-and-a-half hours plus intermission.
