Free Floating Classical Concert Near Ponte Vecchio
Three brass ensembles will be serenading audiences from historic boats on the Arno the evening of August 7. The event is free and can be enjoyed from the historic Ponte Vecchio, Ponte Santa Trinita and the roads along the river starting at 7:30 pm.
The concert is part of Florence’s International Brass Week, which offers a series of performances – some free – in out-of-the-ordinary settings, including the church of Santa Maria Novella, the Bargello museum, Piazzale Michelangelo and afloat in the Arno River near the Società Canottieri (Florence Boat Club), Lungarno Anna Maria de’ Medici.
Founded by Luca Benucci, principal French horn of the Maggio Musicale Orchestra, this year’s festival has invited some of today’s most brilliant stars of the brass world from around the world. Trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba students from many countries will also participate in master classes, lectures and concerts.
The three groups participating in the free, spectacular event on the Arno are the Golden Bridge Ensemble conducted by Dale Clevenger, the Italian Brass Ensemble conducted by Luca Benucci and Dante Ensemble conducted by Oystein Baadsvik. The sounds of music, by Monteverdi, Purcell, Handel, Strauss and Mascagni, were chosen to reflect themes in the Divine Comedy during the current Dante tribute year. The musicians will be interpreting the compositions on the boats of the renaioli, the city’s traditional sand diggers. (anne lokken & rosanna cirigliano)
