At Expo 2025 in Osaka (held from April 13 to October 13, 2025), technology and art merged in a world premiere show that transformed industrial innovation into musical expression. Held at the Italian Pavilion theatre, the concert “The Sound of Heat – Fire, Water, Earth, Air” featured an unusual protagonist: an electric furnace developed by Danieli Group, repurposed as a musical instrument.
Danieli Group brings innovation and creativity to the stage
The furnace, a cutting-edge technological product designed by Danieli Automation, a subsidiary of Danieli Group, took centre stage alongside a soprano, an oboe, a piano, a Q-One system and a percussion ensemble. The show marked the debut of a chamber opera that highlighted not only the musical potential of the machinery, but also the emotional resonance of industrial processes. What makes the electric furnace unique is its world-first capability to change frequencies during the fusion phase, a feature that inspired Antonello Mordeglia, CEO of Danieli Automation, to explore the poetic side of heavy industry. Mordeglia, author of texts performed on stage inspired by a visit to the production departments of a steel plant in Japan, remarked: “It was time to do something more, in other words the heavy steel industry also needed to be able to compose a few musical pieces”. The music, composed by oboist Arnaldo De Felice, drew inspiration from the stark contrasts within steel production, “like when steel melts and the whole light is absorbed by darkness, like the red and black oeuvres by Anish Kapoor”. De Felice praised the creative partnership with Mordeglia, describing it as “a meeting of great inspiration and emotional impact”. The concert, held in the perfect setting of the Italian Pavilion, featured soprano Sabina von Walther, known for her performances at Teatro alla Scala in Milan under the direction of Riccardo Muti, pianist Giulio Garbin and the Ichos Percussion Ensemble. The chamber orchestra was conducted by Gianmaria Romanenghi, an acclaimed conductor and percussionist who has collaborated with the orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, the Arena di Verona and the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. This fusion of industrial technology and live music not only captivated the audience, but also highlighted the role of Danieli Group in technological progress, creative innovation and sustainability.
Danieli Group: a century of innovation in the global metallurgical industry
Danieli Group is a world leader in the production of industrial machinery and plant engineering for the metallurgical industry, with over 100 years of innovation and excellence. Founded in 1914 in Brescia, Italy, and later relocated to Buttrio, the company has evolved from steel production to the manufacture of cutting-edge machinery and complete solutions for steel plants. Under the leadership of visionary figures such as CEO Giacomo Mareschi Danieli, the Group has expanded globally, with five production centres, 25 business units and a presence in 28 countries. Known for its cutting-edge technology and substantial investments in research and development, Danieli Group ranks among the top three global suppliers of equipment for the steel and non-ferrous metals sectors. The company’s commitment extends beyond industry, with active involvement in corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on education, sustainability and cultural heritage preservation.
