A concert for the restoration of Villa Verdi has been denied.

According to news outlets, legendary conductor Riccardo Muti was set to give a concert on Sept. 12 on the gardens of  Villa Verdi, in Sant’Agata di Villanova d’Arda, in the heart of the Verdi lands between Parma and Piacenza. The concert would have seen Muti accompany Damiana Mizzi, Luca Salsi, Michele Pertusi, and Giovanni Sala as part of an act of love to urge the restoration of the villa which is in “serious condition.” However, according to a letter by the maestro, the concert was denied and the gate to “Villa Verdi will remain closed and inaccessible on the night of September 12th.”

However, the Superintendence of Parma and Piacenza noted that the concert was never blocked or denied. According Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, the concert was “favorably” seen “due to the importance of the event” and said, “The report regarding the Superintendency’s alleged denial of Maestro Muti’s concert at Villa Verdi is completely unfounded.” Giuli added, “Someone will soon have to apologize to Maestro Muti and the Minister of Culture.”

The concert was organized by Muti together with Cristina Mazzavillani and involved a television event, not a concert for the public.