Until July 19: TOMAS SARACENO. THERMODYNAMIC CONSTELLATION. Palazzo Strozzi courtyard. Open daily 10 am – 8 pm, on Thursday 10 am – 11 pm. Free admission. Florence is hosting an installation project, “Thermodynamic Constellation” by Tomás Saraceno, an influential artist, architect and biology scholar celebrated for bringing together science and art. Saraceno’s installation of the “Thermodynamic Constellation” is a part of Florence’s more expansive efforts towards raising public awareness for environmental issues. The [...]
Late February and early March in Florence brings good listening throughout the region’s theatres. Throughout the period, a high note is struck by excellent classical music offerings and artists, designed to appeal to all tastes. TEATRO DEL MAGGIO The entertaining comic opera ‘Don Pasquale’ by Gaetano Donizetti, which premiered in 1843 in Paris, will be performed on February 26, 29 and March 4. The old bachelor Don Pasquale plans to marry in order to [...]
Feb. 20 – 23: DANZAINFIERA. Fortezza da Basso. Open Thursday 3 – 8 pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 8 pm. Admission: 1 day €18, 4 days €45; free for children under 8; €12 for 8 – 10 year olds. The four-day annual event, Danzainfiera, is the hub of all things dance in Florence. The fair brings together more than 20,000 dancers to learn, perform and compete. Dancers from novice to professional can enjoy [...]
February is the quintessential Carnival month, celebrated with parades, street decorations, masquerade balls, fireworks and general merriment. Carnival, Carnevale in Italian, has origins in the ancient pagan Greek Dionysian and Roman Saturnalia festivals. Today’s Carnevale resembles a month-long party melding ancient traditions and modern-day frivolity. Carnival time brings Italians into the streets for merrymaking like no other time of the year. Expect a grand finale of unrestrained enjoyment leading up to Martedì Grasso (Mardi Gras [...]
Feb. 18 – 22: ANNA MARIA DE’ MEDICI TRIBUTE This month Florence will celebrate the legacy of Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici by hosting a number of special events in her honor. Before her death on February 18, 1743, she willed her family’s entire collection of art and her estate to the city of Florence, on the premise that they were to never leave the city under any circumstances. Thanks to her generosity [...]
At the weekend, both the general public and enologists can be the first to sample some of the most recent regional vintages at Previews (Anteprime) held in Florence and throughout Tuscany. For aficionados and those simply curious, the February anteprime present an opportunity to participate and share in the passion of each wine estate’s desire to create a unique connection with other enthusiasts. The term “Preview” means that the wines are offered for tasting [...]
In honor of the 97th anniversary of late Franco Zeffirelli’s birth (1923-2019), the Zeffirelli Foundation museum will offer free admission to residents of Florence metropolitan area with an I.D. on February 12 from 10 am to 6 pm. The displays of Zeffirelli Foundation (piazza San Firenze 5) details the life’s work of the great Italian director and producer, almost year by year, room after room. Growing up in Florence and attending the Accademia [...]
James Conlon returns to lead the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in a program dedicated to the music of the Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak, on February 7. The concert begins with a symphonic poem ‘The Golden Spinning Wheel,’ inspired by the poem of the same name found in Kytice, a collection of folk ballads by Karel Erben. Following this is the popular Symphony No. 9 in E minor ‘From the New World.’ [...]
The first week of February marks the launch of Black History Month Florence (BHMF), a month-long celebration of Black culture and history with educational events happening throughout the city until March 3. With more than 50 events, the month-long program showcases film, art, food, fashion, history, theater, and dance through tours, lectures, interactive events, and workshops designed for both adults and children. Justin Randolph Thompson, co-founder, and director of Black History Month Florence [...]
Raphael’s famous portraits of Angolo Doni and his wife Maddalena Strozzi are part of the Uffizi collection, and on Friday, January 31, their 517th wedding anniversary, the gallery is offering two tickets for the price of one to couples who wish to tour the museum that day. The name of this special initiative, “Festa dei Doni” (Festival of the Gifts), is also a play on last name of the historic pair depicted in [...]
