‘Firenze dall’Alto’ Events with a View
Thursdays from now to August 1: FIRENZE DALL’ALTO, ALTRI PUNTI DI VISTA (Florence from above, other points of view). Venues vary. All events are free, but spots are limited and must be reserved in advance by contacting firenzedallalto1@gmail.com.
The simple and uncomplicated desire for a relaxing seat with a view after a scorching hot Florentine day has been taken to new heights with this summer series. Sponsored by the Florence Summer Festival (Estate Fiorentina 2019), the project consists of Thursday evening meetings, each taking place on a different terrace within the city and regarding a different aspect of it. With the setting sun as a backdrop, participants will have the opportunity to watch theater, listen to music, or engage with guest speakers. All of this content about the city will be centered around themes of perspective, the collision of past with present, and our own roles as inhabitants of Florence.
On July 11, at the Museo degli Innocenti in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, Guido Catalano, writer and poet from Torino known for his particular sense of humor, will be the guest star. As a teenager Catalano wanted to be a rockstar, but then realized how similar song lyrics are to poems. Now at age 48, he has published several books, both novels and poetry collections. At this event, he will be reading from his most recent novel, Tu che non sei romantica. Attendees are advised to arrive 30 minutes in advance on this particular Thursday.
July 18’s festivities will unfold on the periphery of the Torre di Arnolfo of Palazzo Vecchio, in the narrow corridor known as the Camminamento di Ronda. The festivities in question consist of a theatrical performance, called ELEVATION, by esteemed actress and writer Laura Forti. Admission, of course, is free, but must be reserved online on eventbrite, as places are limited.
July 25 will be a celebration of the work and legacy of Italian musician Fabrizio de André, who died 20 years ago. He was known as a pacifist, advocating for the underdogs of society in his music, as well as promoting resistance to the imposing and controlling nature of the Catholic church. The performers include a chorus, an orchestra, and singer Mattia Braghero, known, ironically, for having performed in Jesus Christ Superstar. The location is the Forte Belvedere, a structure historically built to be a guardian of Florence.
The series will close on a high note on the evening of August 1, from the roof of the Manifattura Tabacchi in the Cascine Park. San Salvador, a musical group consisting of six members seeking to intertwine sound, language, and the written word, will be performing. The effect of their rhythms, in combination with a dazzling view of the city, will indubitably do the Firenze dall’Alto project justice as it all comes to a close.
Firenze dall’Alto is the brainchild of collaboration between various non-profit musical and theatrical organizations (Omega Musica, La Scena Muta, Attodue, Murmuris, etc), LAMA Development and Cooperation Agency Soc. Coop., and sponsorship by Comune di Firenze per l’Estate Fiorentina 2019. Estate Fiorentina is a yearly tradition, consisting of events of all types, intended for families and individuals of various age groups.
Firenze dall’Alto, which is making its debut this summer, will hopefully be a welcome enhancement to the usual program. (emma hempstead)
DATES:
July 11, 7 pm — Museo degli Innocenti
July 18, 9 pm — Torre di Arnolfo
July 25, 7 pm — Forte Belvedere (no reservation necessary)
August 1, 7 pm — Manifattura Tabacchi
More information can be found here.
