Music & Opera : programm and booking for Florence

Florence and music

History

Architecture

The birth of opera
An the late 16th century, the humanists with their great love of antiquity decided to bring ancient Greek drama, which combined theatre, poetry, music and dance, back to life. What they did, in fact, was to invent an entirely new style of singing declamation: Opera.

One of the chief founders of the genre was called Giulio Caccini. A tenor and composer to the Medici family, he brought the voice to the forefront of the recitative, accompanying it with a basso continuo. This process became the “aesthetic manifesto” of the opera.

In 1600, on the occasion of the wedding of Maria de Medici with Henry IV of France, Eurydice by Jacopo Peri (1561-1633) was performed at the Palazzo Pitti. Peri himself played the role of Orpheus and used this new style of expression: the recitar cantando or "singing recitation".

A singer like her father, Francesca Caccini (nicknamed La Cecchina, 1587- 1640) also wrote divertimenti for the Medici. In 1625, she produced La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'Isola d'Alcina, an entirely sung musical drama which remains the finest example of Florentine baroque opera in history.

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) perfected the genre and ensured its successful establishment with his Orfeo (1607), Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria (1641) and L’Incoronazione di Popea (1642).

The early works were usually performed in the private princely palaces. And although, from the 17th to 19th century many theatres were the venues for first performances, Florence’s musical life mainly revolved around two theatres:
Opened in 1656, the Teatro della Pergola later underwent two major refurbishments and now seats 1,500 people. This is the venue where the grand operas of Mozart were heard for the first time in Italy and Donizetti’s Parisina and Rosamunde d’Inghilterra, Verdi’s Macbeth and Mascagni’s Rantzau were performed for the first time.
Built in 1864, the Teatro Comunale was originally an open-air theatre; it was roofed in 1883 and can now accommodate 2,500 spectators.

The « Maggio Musicale Fiorentino » : Programme see calendar.
www.maggiofiorentino.com
Created in 1933 by Vittorio Gui, this musical event made its name initially through the originality of its programme. Held annually since 1937, it is Italy’s oldest music festival and Europe’s oldest along with Salzburg and Bayreuth.
It has always played host to the most prestigious directors: from Max Reinhardt to Visconti, from Luca Ronconi to Zhang Yimou, including Liliana Cavani and Bob Wilson.
This festival has played an important role in the dissemination of 20th century music. Thus Stravinsky, Strauss, Messiaen and Berio found talented performers, conductors (Walter, Karajan, Mitropoulos, Muti) or soloists (Maria Callas, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli).
The Maggio has above all played a part in the rediscovery of some works (Lully, Haydn, Spontini) and the revival of operas that had sometimes been forgotten (Cherubini, Rossini, early Verdi.)
The festival is held during May and June but activities continue all year round at the Teatro Comunale with a season of opera in the autumn and a symphonic season in the winter.

Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino : Programme see calendar.
Founded on 9 December 1928 by Vittorio Gui under the name of the Stabile Orchestrale Fiorentina, it later took the name of Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
Recognised internationally for its excellent repertoire, it has been led by the top world conductors: De Sabata, Furtwängler, Mitropoulos, Klemperer, Gavazzeni, E. Kleiber, Giulini, Böhm, Solti, Bernstein and Gui himself.
Today directed by Zubin Mehta and made up of around 120 musicians, the orchestra is highly appreciated for a repertoire that extends from baroque to contemporary music.

A former Roman town built at the foot of the Etruscan town of Fiesole, Florence became the capital of the margravate of Tuscany in the 11th century. Declared an independent comune around 1115, it allied itself with Pisa and experienced a considerable economic boom in the 12th century.

Thanks to the victory of those loyal to the pope (the Guelphs) over the supporters of the emperor (Ghibellines) a government was created that was directed by an assembly of merchants. Florence was progressively transformed into a trading republic that excluded the nobility.
Benefiting from the fall of Pisa and the economic difficulties of Siena and Lucca, it became in the 14th century one of the most flourishing towns of Italy, in spite of floods and the Black Death.

In 1378, the wool carders rose up in revolt and set up a democratic government, but from 1382, the merchant class regained power. Florence, which took possession of Pisa in 1406 and Livorno in 1421, came under the domination of the Medici, a powerful family of bankers. They established a hereditary monarchy without upsetting the traditional institutions of the Republic. Florence then became one of the major political and cultural centres of Europe: Cosimo de’ Medici financed artists such as Donatello, Brunelleschi, Fra’ Angelico and Filippo Lippi; Lorenzo de’ Medici (1469-1492), a major patron of the arts, surrounded himself with figures such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Shaken by the preaching of Savonarola (1494), the domination of the Medici was restored in 1512 by Guiliano de’ Medici assisted by the troops of Charles V. The family then held power for over two centuries.

Like all Mediterranean capitals, the city went through a difficult period in the 17th and 18th centuries, then recovered in the second half of the 19th century by becoming the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1870.

The city was bombed by the Germans during the Second World War: all the bridges were destroyed apart from the Ponte Vecchio. The city’s historic buildings and works of art have suffered other damage: in 1966 with the great floods of the Arno and more recently, in 1993, with the bombing at the Uffizi Gallery.

Florence has retained the architectural appearance of a city that was, from the end of the Middle Ages, the political and cultural centre of Europe. Its artistic heritage and major concentration of museums, churches, galleries and palaces make it an exceptional place.

Romanesque style :
- the church of San Miniato al Monte (1018)
- the Baptistery (consecrated in 1059)

Medieval style :
- The Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio (1298-1304), built to plans by Arnolfo di Cambio and flanked by the Loggia dei Lanzi (1376)
- The Palazzo del Podesta or del Bargello (1254-1345), with its museum
- The Ponte Vecchio (1345)

Gothic style (late 13th century)
- The church of Santa Maria Novella (from 1278) with frescoes by Masaccio and Ghirlandaio and a large polyptych by Orcagna (1357)
- The church of Santa Croce with frescoes by Giotto and his school
- The Duomo designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (from 1296) and Brunelleschi’s dome (1420-1436)
- The Campanile (1334-1337).

Gothic to Renaissance transitional style
- The church of Orsanmichele (rebuilt from 1337) with masterpieces by Orcagna, Ghiberti, and Donatello
- The church of Santa Maria del Carmine with Renaissance frescoes by Masaccio.

Renaissance Style
Several remarkable buildings were constructed at the behest of the Medici family:
- Brunelleschi and his pupils built San Lorenzo (1421-1436) and the Cappella dei Pazzi (1429-1446)
- G. de Sangallo worked at Santo Spirito, Michelozzo and Fra’ Angelico at the San Marco convent.

The Florentine palaces
- Palazzo Medici-Riccardi (1444) by Michelozzo
- Palazzo Rucellai (1446) by L.B. Alberti
- Palazzo Strozzi by B. da Maiano and il Cronaca
- Palazzo Pitti. Built to a design by Brunelleschi (late 15th century), it is a synthesis of the Renaissance style with that of the Middle Ages. It has baroque decorations by P. de Cortone and houses an art gallery.

Mannerism
- the Palazzo degli Uffizi built by Vasari (from 1560)

Some Highlights

In the surrounding area

Buildings and Monuments :

The Duomo : (Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) in polychrome marble is the spiritual heart of Florence. The building work took around 200 years, and its green, pink and white marble façade contributes to the chromatic harmony of the square; its imposing dome is visible for miles around. The interior houses many masterpieces including Michelangelo’s Pietà (c. 1550), frescoes by Paolo Uccello and Andrea del Castagno rub shoulders with terracottas by Luca Della Robbia and the sarcophagus of Saint Zanobi (by Ghiberti). It is possible to climb up to the top from where there is an extraordinary view over Florence.

The Campanile : An 80 m high monument built in 50 years, standing at the side of the Duomo and the Baptistery. The first storey was designed by Giotto.

The Baptistery : Octagonal in shape, this is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Built around the 6th century, the exterior was completed around the 12th century and the bronze doors decorated with forms illustrating scenes from the Bible were not completed until 1401. This Baptistery allowed those who were not baptised and did not have the right to enter churches to attend the ceremonies.

The Piazza della Signoria : Florence’s most famous square, it was used for centuries as a backdrop by artists, then by film-makers. The former political centre of the city, it includes some of Florence’s main historic buildings and contains the most admired sculptures in the world.
- The Loggia, an open-air gallery, houses sculptures that include Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus and Giovanni Bologna’s The Rape of the Sabine.
- The Palazzo Vecchio was the seat of the Republic at the end of the 18th century, then the residence of the Medici before they abandoned it for the Palazzo Pitti. Redecorated by Vasari, it has been the town hall since 1322. Its tower is one of the city’s chief symbols. A replica of Michelangelo’s David stands in front of this palace.
- The corridor by Vasari contains a collection of portraits, it links Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti. The Medici used it to move between their various residences without having to mix with the populace.

Ponte Vecchio (14th century) : The only bridge to have been spared by the bombing during the Second World War, today it houses jewellery shops.

Palazzo Pitti (15th century) : An imposing palace designed by Brunelleschi for the Pitti family, it was soon taken over by the Medici, who enlarged it with the help of artists such as Michelangelo. It houses paintings by the great masters of the Italian Renaissance (Raphael, Titian…), royal apartments and a gallery of modern art.

The Basilica of Santa Croce : Its beauty was supposed to have caused Stendhal to faint… Its Italian Gothic façade is in polychrome marble decorated with frescoes; the Basilica contains the tombs of Ghiberti, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and Galileo. Works by Giotto, Della Robbia and sculptures by Donatello adorn the various chapels. Worth seeing: the cloister by Brunelleschi.

The church of Santa Trìnita : Worth seeing: frescoes by Ghirlandaio

Santa Maria Novella : Worth seeing: Masaccio’s Trinity, frescoes by Filippino Lippi and Brunelleschi’s Crucifix.

The church of Santo Spirito : Brunelleschi’s last commission. Worth seeing: the Madonna by Filippino Lippi and the altar made of pink, grey, beige and black marble.

The church of San Lorenzo : The former parish church of the Medici family in Florentine Renaissance style, built from 1420 by Brunelleschi. Donatello, who designed the bronze pulpits, lies in one of the chapels. Worth seeing: the Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana and the staircase designed by Michelangelo.

The Palazzo and Museo del Bargello : This enormous construction from the Middle Ages contains Italy’s richest collection of Renaissance style sculptures. Worth seeing: Michelangelo’s drunken Bacchus, David by Donatello and Brunelleschi’s designs for the doors of the Baptistery.

Parks and Gardens

Boboli gardens: Adjacent to the Palazzo Pitti, this garden is one of the most famous in the world. It was created from 1549 by Tribolo then by Vasari, Ammannati and Buontalenti. Its fountains, lakes, geometric flowerbeds and terraces lined with trees wonderfully represent the Renaissance style.
Worth looking out for: the Grotta del Buontalenti and the statues by Giovanni Bologna.
At the top of the hill stands the Forte di Belvedere built in a star shape by Michelangelo (with a magical view over Florence).

Garden of Palazzo Caccini: A late 16th century garden famous for its collections of rare plants. A popular place for a stroll in the heart of Florence.

Cascine park: This huge farming estate (situated between the Arno and the Mugnone rivers) which belonged to the Medici family, was turned into a park by Giuseppe Manetti towards the end of the 18th century. The enthronement of Ferdinand III took place here in 1791.

Torre del Lago www.puccinifestival.it
20 min from Florence, Puccini’s villa is in this small town and a festival dedicated to the composer is held each year in July-August in an open-air theatre which offers a magnificent view over the lake.

Impruneta www.impruneta.com
A small Etruscan hill-top village 14 km from Florence, known as a centre for the Terracotta industry, for its Grape Festival and its Horse Fair on the last Sunday in September. Worth seeing: Piazza della Basilica

San Miniato www.comune.san-miniato.pi.it
High on a hill-top site overlooking the Arno Valley, two tall towers dominate the town (vestiges of the fortress built by Frederick II in the 13th century). Worth seeing: the seminary palace, the Cathedral, the Diocesan Museum and the superb oratory of the Madonna di Loreto

Fiesole www.comune.fiesole.fi.it
Former Etruscan centre from where there is a magnificent view over Florence.
Worth visiting: the Church of San Domenico Badia Fiesolana, the Cathedral Da Fiesole de Piazza, the convents of Sant’Alessandro and San Francesco, the archeological Museum, the Roman theatre and the Museo Bandini Costantini

Pise www.rivieratoscana.com
Once a capital and a former maritime republic, this town has conserved some superb buildings from the Middle Ages which recall its glorious past. Worth visiting:
- The Campo dei Miracoli (field of miracles) with the famous Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo and the Camposanto (cemetery).
- The narrow streets and squares between Borgo Stretto, Via Curtatone and Montanara
- In the surrounding area it is possible to visit the Charterhouse of Pisa and the church of San Piero a Grado, an example of Romanesque architecture (Certosa).

Lucques www.rivieratoscana.com/fr/ct/alentours/lucques.asp
A town surrounded by ramparts dating from the Renaissance.
Worth seeing: the Duomo, the Roman amphitheatre, the church of San Michele and the church of San Frediano.

Greve in Chianti www.comune.greve-in-chianti.fi.it
A small town in the heart of Italy’s most famous wine-growing region. Major events are held here related to farming, wine, olive oil and regional produce.

Food & Drink

Festivals, Traditional customs

Florence and Tuscany are known for their unforgettable olive oil with its strong green colour, for Chianti and a great many specialities such as the San Miniato truffle, Carrara bacon, Cannellini and Borlotti beans, …

Starters
- Crostini: minced chicken liver canapés
- Ribollita: soup of cabbage and beans, poured onto slices of toast, coated with oil, salt and pepper
- Panzanella: a wonderful bread salad with tomatoes, cucumber, basil and onions
- Finocchiona: the famous salami flavoured with fennel

Main courses (“alla fiorentina” often means a dish based on spinach)
- Poached eggs alla fiorentina (baked with spinach, cheese and breadcrumbs)
- Bistecca alla fiorentina: a thick beefsteak with a sauce based on butter, lemon juice and parsley
- Acquacotta: a meat and vegetable stew

Rice and pasta
- Tagliatelle with the subtle flavours of rose and cinnamon
- Tortelli ai funghi, pasta filled with ceps
- Risotto alla fiorentina

Cheeses
- Pecorino toscano (a hard cheese made from sheep’s milk)
- Made with raw milk, a soft melt-in-the-mouth cheese: Fontinal
- A semi-hard cheese: Bocconcini, Mozzarella di Buffala
- A soft blue-veined cheese: Gorgonzola
- A cheese hung on a string: Provolone

Desserts
- Florentine: Biscuit with honey and almonds
- Zuccotto: Tuscan sponge cake iced with chocolate and almond cream
- Cantuccini: crunchy biscuits with almonds
- Ricciarelli: Tuscan biscuits made from ground almonds, orange zest and honey

Wines
- Red: Chianti, Sangioveto, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- White: Vinsanto Toscano (a sweet aromatic dessert wine)

Coffee
In Italy, coffee is an institution. What distinguishes Italian coffee from any other is above all the quality of the roasting. The beans are dark and strong which gives the coffee a slightly smoky aroma.

Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday)
A cart filled with fireworks explodes in front of the Duomo, after travelling around the town accompanied by music and a crowd of Florentines. It is a dove, "La Colombina" which sets fire to the cart.

The Gioco di Calcio Storico (June)
Historic "football" matches held between the four quarters of Florence, in traditional 16th century costume (27 players per team). The event ends with a pyrotechnic display above the Piazzale Michelangelo.

San Giovanni (24 juin)
Big processions celebrating the festival of the city’s patron saint.

San Lorenzo (10 Août)
Festival of the San Lorenzo district celebrating its patron saint.

La Rificolona (7 Septembre)
Festival in which paper lanterns are hung in the windows of the houses

Florence International Marathon (end of November, beginning of December).

Iris Festival (first Sunday in May)
Opening of the Iris Garden. The Iris is the flower symbol of Florence. Since 1954, this garden has displayed the most beautiful varieties of irises produced by horticulturists from all over the world.

Things to Do

Hotels

Restaurants

Galleria degli Uffizi www.uffizi.firenze.it
This former palace of the Medici houses one of the most impressive art collections in the world. It shows the evolution of Italian painting from the primitives to the 17th century. Worth seeing: Botticelli’s’ Birth of Venus, Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Michelangelo’s Holy Family or the Portrait of the Duke of Urbino by Piero della Francesca.

Museo Nazionale del Bargello www.sbas.firenze.it/bargello
It houses sculptures by Michelangelo (Bacchus, Virgin with Child, Bust of Brutus,…), Donatello (David in bronze…), Verrocchio (David, Lady with a Bunch of Flowers,…) and various collections of enamelware, jewellery, weapons ....

Galleria dell’Accademia www.sbas.firenze.it
Worth seeing: 19th century statues, Byzantine paintings, Russian icons, paintings by Florentine Renaissance painters, notably Botticelli’s Madonnas and above all sculptures by Michelangelo, including the original of the famous David.

Galleria Pitti www.mega.it/ita/gui/hogui.htm
Gallery of modern art, museum of silverware and Galleria Palatina (paintings by Raphael, Titian and Rubens).

Museo San Marco : A former Dominican convent in which all the rooms are decorated with frescoes by Fra’ Angelico or Fra’ Bartolommeo

Museo Archeologico www.thais.it/citta_italiane/firenze/index/museo_archeologico/pag_01.htm
Worth seeing: famous Etruscan and Greek sculptures, the sarcophagus of Larthia Seianti and the fabulous bronze Chimera

Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica in Palazzo Davanzati
A museum of Florentine domestic life: furniture, fabrics, domestic objects from the 14th to 18th century.

Museo Marino Marini
Housed in the former church of San Pancrazio. Worth seeing: sculptures, paintings and drawings by the Tuscan master Marino Marini (1901-1980).

Hotel Savoy
Piazza della Repubblica 7
Tel. 055 27 35 16 Fax. 055 27 35 88 8
reservations@hotelsavoy.it
www.roccofortehotels.com
UThe five-star Hotel Savoy offers luxury and style in the heart of Florence close to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, the Teatro Comunale and the Ponte Vecchio. Styled by Olga Polizzi, the hotel's elegant décor is contemporary Italian in style with subdued neutral tones and tasteful fabrics throughout. Each one of the 102 rooms and suites are stylishly designed to offer maximum comfort with deeply comfortable beds and classic marble and mosaic bathrooms. L'Incontro Bar and Restaurant is among the most popular restaurants in Florence offering views over the Piazza Repubblica and, during summer, the chance to dine outdoors. Fitness Centre offers fantastic views over Florence.

GRAND HOTEL MINERVA 4*
P.za S. M. Novella, 16
Tel: 055-27230 - Fax: 055-268281
www.grandhotelminerva.com
The hotel is situated in the heart of historical Florence. A short pleasant walk in this town, you can easily arrive at the railway station, the Duomo, the Campanile di Giotto, the Uffizi Gallery and all other major Artistic and Historical Interests. 99 rooms - restaurant

LUNGARNO 4*
Borgo S. Jacopo, 14
Tel: 055-27261 - Fax: 055-268437
www.lungarnohotels.com
The Lungarno Hotel, totally refurbished offers a wonderful view on the Arno River and over the city. In the bedrooms, the guests will be surrounded by exquisite objects, antiques and original paintings. 73 bedrooms, including 12 suites and 1 Presidential suite - garage service.

SOFITEL FIRENZE 4*
Via de Cerratani, 10
Tel: 055-2381301 - Fax: 055-2381312
www.sofitel.com
The hotel, rebuilt in a 17th century Florentine palace is located close to railway station, historic centre, Dante's house and the Cathedral. 83 rooms and 1 suite, non-smoking floor. A bar and restaurant.

HOTEL ROMA 4*
P.zza S.M. Novella, 8
Tel. 055.210366 Fax. 055.215306
www.hotel-roma-firenze.it
Completely refurbished the Roma has emerged as a most elegant Hotel. It is situated in the beautiful square of S.M. Novella within walking distance from the most important museums and monuments.

Toscan Cuisine

Osteria Caffè Italiano
Via Isola delle Stinche, 11 - Tel. 055/289 368
Between a wine bar and an elegant restaurant, one of the best address in Florence. Excellent and traditional Tuscan cuisine.

Le Cantastorie
Via della Condotta, 7 - Tel. 055/2396804
Traditional cuisine with "ribollita", "pappa al pomodoro", grilled meat etc, with the best wines ! Reasonable prices.

Ristorante De Medici
Via del Giglio, 49 - 51r - Tel. 055/218778
In the historical centre of Florence, the restaurant offers authentic dishes of typical Tuscan cuisine.

Ristorante Dante
Piazza Nazario Sauro 12r
Located in a 13th Century palace with large brick vaults, the Dante Restaurant offers typical Tuscan and fish dishes and a first-class pizza.

Florentine Cuisine

Restaurant Paoli
Via de' Tavolini, 12r - Tel. 055/216215
Typical Florentine restaurant located in a 14th century chapel.
Dinner Menu : 19 Euros