Italian Events Newsletter – Summer 2012
May 25, 2012ART EXIBITIONS
AMERICANS IN FLORENCE: SARGENT AND THE AMERICAN IMPRESSIONISTS
Palazzo Strozzi, Florence
Until 15 Jul 2012
www.palazzostrozzi.org
The exhibition explores the American impressionists’ relationship with Italy, and with Florence in particular, in the decades spanning the close of the 19th and dawn of the 20th centuries. There was a marked upswing in the number of American artists travelling to Europe after the Civil War ended in 1865, and the trend continued on into the early 20th century. For the first time since recent exhibitions in France and England explored these American artists’ relationship with those two countries, this exhibition will be hosting the work of American painters who embraced the artistic vocabulary of Impressionism and spent time in Italy.
THE IDEAL CITY, THE UTOPIA OF THE RENAISSANCE, in Urbino, Marche
Galleria Nazionale delle Marche – Palazzo Ducale, Urbino
Until 8 July 2012
www.mostracittaideale.it
The painted panel of The Ideal City in the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche is one of the most fascinating enigmas of the Italian Renaissance. We do know neither why is was painted nor by whom, yet it is a compendium of art, science and philosophic speculation, one of the highest achievements of the civilization that flourished at Urbino in the second half of the fifteenth century, at the court of Duke Federico da Montefeltro.
Alongside this panel, many other works are on display, about 50 in all, including paintings, sculptures, wood inlays, drawings, medals, illuminated manuscripts and architectural treatises, which give us a global picture of one of the high points in the history of this small capital city, set in the mountains and hills of Montefeltro. There are works by Jacopo de Barbari, Piero della Francesca, Luca Signorelli, Fra’ Carnevale, Domenico Veneziano, Sassetta, Mantegna, Perugino, Bramante and finally Raphael, who, having learnt his art in the cultural climate of Urbino, was to become one of the great architects of 1500s.
LUX IN ARCANA. THE VATICAN ARCHIVE REVEALED
Capitoline Museum, Rome
Until 9 Sept 2012
www.museicapitolini.org
A hundred original and extremely precious documents dating from the 8th century BC to the 20th century of the Vatican Secret Archive.
CANOVA AND THE DANCE, in Possagno near Treviso
Museo Canova, Possagno
Until 30 September 2012
www.marcatreviso.it
The Gipsoteca (The Plaster Cast Gallery) Museo Canova situated in Possagno houses the charming exhibition of dancers.
You will get the chance to see the original plaster cast of the “Danzatrice con i cembali” (the Dancer with cymbals), made for the Russian Ambassador Andrei Razumovslij.
CITY CARDS
TRAPANI WELCOME CARD
The Trapani Welcome card has been introduced to help the visitor to discover the Sicilian city of Trapani and its territory. It costs €9.50 and offers a free ride on the cable car from Trapani to the delightful Unesco town of Erice, unlimited public transport in Trapani for 3 days, 10% on the Ustica Lines ferries to visit the nearby Egadi Islands, free entry to the Castle of Venus in Erice and further discounts on museum entries and the Trapani music festival in July.
FESTIVALS, MUSIC AND OTHER EVENTS
RAVELLO CONCERTS, in Ravello, Amalfi Coast
Villa Rufolo, Ravello – April 4th / October 31st 2012
www.ravelloarts.org
In Spring and Autumn, far from the Summer’s crowds, Ravello becomes the favourite destination for those who love the silence of its Villas and its medieval churches. In that time, an audience of music lovers meet every year to listen to the concerts held in the gardens and the rooms of Villa Rufolo, famous for having inspired Wagner for the setting of his Parsifal.
STRESA FESTIVAL
Stresa – June – September 2012
www.stresafestival.eu
Stresa Festival opens its doors to the public one more time with three themed events, held in a number of venues on different dates.
ARENA DI VERONA
Verona – June 22nd / September 2nd 2012
www.arena.it
This will be the 90th edition of the International Opera Festival. The 2012 calendar offers six operas: Tosca, Aida, Turandot, Romeo et Juliet, Carmen, Don Giovanni which welcomes once again artists and public in its magnificent setting.
BOLZANO DANZA
Bolzano – 16-28 July 2012
www.tanzbozen.it
The charming setting of Castel Firmiano hosts the Festival Bolzano Danza. The calendar includes opening shows and side events alike.
58th PUCCINI FESTIVAL
Torre del Lago – July 20th / August 24th 2012
www.puccinifestival.it
Torre del Lago hosts the Festival Puccini, created by Puccini himself, since 1930. The outdoor theatre, close to Villa Mausoleo where the Master’s remains lie, is an amazing setting to enjoy the music of one of the most outstanding and esteemed Italian artists worldwide. Operas on show in 2012 are: Tosca, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly among others.
ROSSINI OPERA FESTIVAL
Pesaro, 10th August / 23rd August 2012
www.rossinioperafestival.it
This festival is entirely dedicated to the music and operas of Goacchino Rossini, who was born in the Le Marche city of Pesaro. This year will be the 33rd edition of the festival and two new productions will be presented: “Ciro in Babilonia” and “Il Signor Bruschino”, “Viaggio a Reims”, “Tancredi” ” Matilde di Shabran”.
