The Florence Dance Festival 2018’s Inaugural Week at Santa Maria Novella

The Florence Dance Festival is a collective of dance, music, theatre, and art that explores the inner-connectedness of contemporary dance. The festival, in its 29th edition, is being heartedly welcomed to its new stage of the Santa Maria Novella cloister. From July 3 – August 2, the Florentine community will have tangible access to view contemporary companies from all across Europe and the United States.

Under the artistic direction of Keith Ferrone and Marga Nativo, they seek to bring new energies into Santa Maria Novella, and invite those of all backgrounds to make their presence felt in this international event.

The first week of the festival takes off with high intensity, featuring performances from the world renowned company Nederlands Dans Theatre 2 and the Italian National Academy of Tango Argentino, along with an Open Call day for for a local artist, a book presentation by Marga Nativo, and a live concert by the Florentine Chamber Orchestra.

The festival opens on July 3 with a free special inauguration. In collaboration with the Pecci museum Foundation and the Meyer Foundation, Santa Maria Novella welcomes an evening composed of dance and live music. Beginning at 6 pm, kicking off the festival is a special performance by the students of the Florence Dance Center, Germogli, choreographed by Benedetta Ghiglia. Translated, Germogli means “sprout.” This work embodies the symbolism of growth, new life, and the stages it goes through. The school will also present works of Carmen and Light and Shadows.

The new project of “Novella Classica Florence” will be launched for the inauguration of the Dance Platform, where young artists, dancers, and choreographers can perform on stage, standing before a jury that will reward exceptional groups for their talent. Following this event is a party, accompanied by the live band performance of Bizantina.

The following day, on July 4 at 6 pm, there is a intimate presentation of the book of Marga Nativo So Ballare il Bolero di Ravel, edited by dance historian Silvia Poletti (Clichy Editions). The book discusses her life at its highest points, being the Prima Ballerina of the Maggio Musicale. This is a free event held not at Santa Maria Novella, but at the lustrous Opera Theater of Florence.

The world recognized Nederlands Dans Theatre 2 (NDT2) will make its way to the Santa Maria Novella on July 5, at 9:30 pm. NDT2 was found in 1978, and serves as a second division to the main company. NDT2 stages works on its dancers from up and coming choreographers.

In collaboration with Duetto 2000 – Roma, NDT 2 will be presenting three different works: Out of Breath by Johan Inger, Wir Sagen Uns Dunkles by Marco Goecke, and Sad Case by Sol León E Paul LightFoot. Out of Breath was created after the grueling birth of his daughter, symbolizing the fragility of life itself. The following dance, Wirs Sagen Uns Dunkles, which translates from German into “we tell each other something dark”, is a sensational work that transcends into darkness held inside us. Sad Case is a juxtaposition of satirical and classical dance, set to Mexican mambo music, exploring the unexpected relations between contradictions.

Following this, on Friday, July 6 at 9 pm, the Florence Chamber Orchestra will present Tribute to Vivaldi, originally composed by Antonio Lucio Vivaldi.  Conductor Giuseppe Lanzetta has led to orchestra to national attention and has held numerous concerts around the world.

Concluding the week is lively performance by the Italian National Academy Tango Argentino, Saturday, July 7 at 9:30 pm. The company will be making its first European premiere, here in Florence, of their acclaimed piece Revelacion… A la sombra de un tango, abrazame por siempre (Revelation… In the shadow of a tango, embrace me forever). It is a harmonious performance that revolves around tango itself being the protagonist. Accompanied by the live music of Anita Tango orchestra conducted by Maestro Lisandro Adrover, the performance will stimulate the senses of the audience, by bringing them to the brinks of strength and delicacy, violence and sensuality, and extroversion and intimacy. (jennifer klammer)

For tickets and more information visit the website.