The orchestra, whose musicians were among the best throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, had performed in Delhi and Mumbai to a great success last year.

Delhi Tourism chairperson Sanat Kaul, who in association with the Embassy of Italy and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) is organising the concert for the second time, said such initiatives would help establish Delhi as an international city.

"This concert is one of the defining moments of Indo-Italian cultural relations. These events help establish Delhi as an international city." "Why we organise such concerts in archaeological sites is because these sites are a part of our cultural heritage. That's why for various annual festivals like Ananya or Jehan-e-Khusru the venue is the Qutb Minar, Humanyun's tomb, Quli Khan's tomb or the Purana Quila," Kaul told IANS.

Patrizia Raveggi, director of the Italian Cultural Centre, added that archaeological sites were always used in Italy for cultural programmes, theatre performances and cinema screenings.

"It's a tradition in Italy to hold cultural programmes in archaeological sites in the summers. Since India is as culturally wealthy as Italy, it was decided that the concert should be held in the open air, in an archaeological site.

"Also the fact that the Italian ambassador, Antonio Armellini, was absolutely thrilled after going to a concert held at the Purana Quila," Raveggi said.