Some look back at her role as Ambassador of the Made in Italy in America; some others appreciate her entrepreneurial spirit; many experienced first-hand her philanthropic work. Everybody knows her as the woman who has touched not only people’s lives, but also the arts, education, medical research, and culture. 

So far, Maria Manetti Shrem‘s journey has been nothing less than extraordinary. We talked to her a few days before the official opening of the new season of the San Francisco Opera, one of the many things she is passionate about and has been part of her entire life.