Alchemy at the Medici Court: A Talk in English

  Wednesday, February 28: Laura Amato will speak on “Alchemy and Hermetism (a Philosophical System) at the Medici Court.”  CEA CAPA Study Center, via Pandolfini 20.  6:30 pm.  Free admission.  Reservation necessay: rsvp to greverdito@ceacapa.com As in many Renaissance European courts, the ruling Medici family practiced alchemy and proto-science. The Tuscan Grand Dukes’ interest in alchemy was not only for purposes of practical experimentation but was particularly focused on the philosophical and exoteric [...]

Anna Maria de’Medici Day & Free Museums

  Sunday, February 18: ANNA MARIA DE’MEDICI DAY.  Florence. February 18 is a day of historical significance and celebration in Florence with events and free museum openings planned in recognition of Anna Maria Luisa dè Medici (1667-1743) on the anniversary of her death. This remarkable woman who was the last Medici ruler in Florence and a patron of the arts, gave her family’s significant cultural patrimony to the city. Those interested in observing [...]

An Unique Production of ‘Don Giovanni’ by ORT

November 29 at 9 pm: Orchestra della Toscana. The Mandela Forum, piazza Enrico Berlinguer 1. The Orchestra della Toscana is bringing a Mozart masterpiece to a Florentine neighborhood near you with their “Musica Diffusa” tour.  The composer’s renowned opera Don Giovanni will be acted by Alessandro Riccio, a talented and experienced actor. This rendition of the opera aims to straddle the line between classical music and theater. The approach remains serious and irreverent [...]

Free Lecture in English on Artist Rosalba Carriera

    Tuesday, Nov. 28:  LECTURE IN ENGLISH.  Angela Oberer will speak on The Life and Times of Artist Rosalba Carriera.  CEA-CAPA Study Center, Piazza della Repubblica 6.  7 pm.  Free admission.  Please reserve a place by emailing mfrancioso@ceacapa.com. Rosalba Carriera (1673-1757) whose 350th birthday we celebrate this year was the most successful woman artist during her lifetime. Everywhere hymns were sung in praise of her skill and her personality, often in lofty and impassioned language. [...]

Free Tours on the Life & Times of Sir Joshua Reynolds

In commemoration of the illustrious painter Sir Joshua Reynolds’ (1723-1792) ties to Italy, who was born 300 years ago, there will be two opportunities to discover places where he lived and frequented on the 300th anniversary year of his birth. Free guided tours will be offered on October 15 and November 12 at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, with the meeting point in Piazza Santa Trinita. The occasion is being promoted by Florence [...]

Renaissance Artists’ Workshop Practices Conference

The public is welcome to attend the conference “Artists’ Workshop Practice in the Renaissance” at the Netherlands Interuniversity Institute for Art History (NIKI), Viale Evangelista Torricelli 5 (near Poggio Imperiale) on September 21 – 22. Free of charge to all and held in English, the conference at the  co-organized by Michelle O’Malley (Emeritus Professor at the Warburg Institute / NIKI-scholar-in-residence) and Lydia Goodson (independent scholar). The workshop was the nexus of artistic production [...]

Racism in Italy: A Talk in English at CEA

  Racism in Italy will be the subject of an upcoming lecture in English by Dr. Mackda Ghebremariam Tesfau at the CEA-CAPA Study Center, piazza della Repubblica 6, on September 19, starting at 7 pm. The talk is titled, “Between Colonial Removal and Xenoracism. Talking about Race in Italy.” Admission is free, but you must reserve a spot by emailing mfrancioso@ceacapa.com. There will be refreshments for guests. The premise of the talk is [...]

‘Musica sui Sagrati’: Free Concerts Outside Churches

Musica sui sagrati is a series of free, classical concerts by the Toscana Classica Orchestra held on the steps of churches in and around the city through mid-September.  All start at 9 pm. The final performances are as follows: Saturday, August 26 Toscana Classica will play “Le Rose dei Venti” in front of the Misericordia in Piazza Duomo near the Cathedral. Friday, September 1 Florence’s Ensemble San Felice and the Associazione Bel Canto of [...]

Free Santa Croce Concert Honors Women Musicians

The Desiderio da Settignano Choir and Orchestra is hosting a concert in the Santa Croce Basilica this Wednesday, June 15 at 9:15 pm. The program, created and inspired by the late founder Johanna Knauf, offers free admission to listen to works by Fanny Hensel Mendelssohn and Louise Farrenc.  Female composers of the 19th century, Mendelssohn and Farrenc’s talents were appreciated by Johanna who founded the Desiderio da Settignano Choir in 1989, offering anyone [...]

‘The Season’ 2023: A Grand Return to Villa La Pietra

World-renowned artists, scholars and writers will be gathering on the scenic grounds of Villa La Pietra from May 11 to June 30, located in the outskirts of Florence, to participate in NYU’s annual cultural programme, ‘The Season.’ Members of the public are invited to enjoy a range of free performances, designed for the both English and Italian speaking audience, including exhibitions, concerts and theatrical productions, put on by collaborating artists. Conversation between the [...]