I can’t remember precisely how I first heard of the Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio; like many things in Rome I seem to recall a mixture of passaparola and posters in the streets advertising concerts at various events. But the reasons why I became so interested are much clearer. I live just off Piazza Vittorio and so naturally, in the best spirit of campanilismo, was curious. Also, the Orchestra is a good news story about immigration and the presence of foreigners in Rome, and all the better for being non-political. And finally because of the music itself - unique by virtue of what each individual member brings but much more than the sum of its parts.

An image from the film The Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio

If you haven’t seen them play yet, catch them on 24 May in Piazza Vittorio to see what I mean. It’s quite an experience to hear an Arabic song originally performed by the legendary Oum Kalsoum interpreted by a Tunisian singer, followed by an Indian number sung by a Senegalese musician, and rounded off with an Ecuadorian playing traditional instruments of the Andes. And that reminds me to mention the Indian musicians who seem to be sadly missing at the moment. It sounds as if they might be having visa problems, an experience that anyone who has had an encounter with the machinations of Italian bureaucracy can surely sympathise with.

Just back from a hugely successful appearance at Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York, if the Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio aren’t huge by the time you’re reading this, they will be soon.