Richard III & Florence’s Shakespeare Week 2017

A “Shakespeare in White” exhibit by Lorenzo Perrone

Shakespeare Week, April 4 – 7 at the British Institute Library (Lungarno Guicciardini 9), offers a public reading, an exhibition, film and music to celebrate England’s greatest poet and playwright, of course, with afternoon tea.

The theme this year is Richard III, showcased with a public reading on Tuesday, April 4 (3 pm).

Join in reading the play aloud or sit back and immerse yourself in a story of tyranny and manipulation set at the conclusion of the War of the Roses. Shakespeare’s magic is meant to be heard, and while the event is primarily in English, participants are welcome to read in other languages.

Following at 6 pm is the inauguration of Lorenzo Perrone’s exhibition “Shakespeare in White.” His Libri Bianchi (White Books) are real books transformed into sculptures using plaster, acrylic paint, and the application of objects as barbed wire, nails, stone and wood. A light buffet will be served.

Wednesday presents the Shakespeare Week’s keynote lecture by coincidentally-named Professor Martin White of University of Bristol at 6 pm. Examining one of Shakespeare’s most prominent historical plays, White will address the depiction of tyranny and early modern drama. A screening of Laurence Olivier’s Richard III (1955) follows at 8 pm.

The Library’s weekly afternoon tea will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 4:30 pm with a Shakespearean theme.

Friday provides a full day with the Italian Association of Shakespearean and Early Modern Studies (IASEMS) Graduate Conference which starts at 9:15 am and lasts until 5:15 pm. The Fine Art of Lying: Disguise, Dissimulation and Counterfeiting in Early Modern Culture is a forum open to PhD students and researchers.

Shakespeare Week concludes with a performance by Stuart Patterson (tenor) & Nina Uhari (piano). Patterson will interpret music in tribute to Shakespeare as well as English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh folksongs (6 pm).  The event is part of the concert series Sounds of Europe 2017, organized by the European University Institute to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. 

Note that at least a daily Library membership (€6) is required to attend, with the exception of the IASEMS Graduate Conference and the Sounds of Europe Concert to be held on Friday, April 7. A special “Shakespeare Week” membership is available to cover all events for €15. (carson cecil).