Sophia Loren is turning 80 this year (September 20) and next weekend she will be celebrated at the Napa Valley’s “Festival del Sole”. Italian restaurateur Piero Selvaggio, the owner of Valentino in Santa Monica and the man credited with revolutionizing Italian cuisine in the U.S., will be cooking for the actress’ birthday bash alongside celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, who specializes in Italian-influenced California cuisine.
Sophia’s son Carlo Ponti will debut his Los Angeles Virtuosi chamber orchestra during the Bella Italia! tribute event organized for the legendary actress, which will be held at Far Niente winery in Oakville. The musicians will perform selections chosen for the occasion, including the theme from "Two Women", for which Sophia Loren won an Oscar for Best Actress, and the world premiere of "Sinfonietta per Sofia", by composer Daniel Brewbaker. Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg will emcee an homage to Loren and her life’s work.
Selvaggio, interviewed by KPPC (Southern California Public Radio), was asked who his ideal of beauty was when he was growing up, to which he replied, “For any Italian of my generation, there is only one name: Sophia Loren.”
The “Festival del Sole”, which takes place July 11-20, pairs wine, food and wellness experiences with live performances of music, dance and theaters at different venues throughout Napa Valley.
ITALY Magazine had the pleasure to interview Selvaggio recently in Los Angeles. Read about his great accomplishments as an Italian restaurateur in the U.S. here.
