‘Genius Loci’: Free Santa Croce Performances from Dusk to Dawn

The Basilica di Santa Croce will welcome a diverse and talented lineup of performers for a series of free events beginning on the evening of Thursday, September 20 and concluding at dawn on the morning of Saturday, September 22. The Genius Loci festival will encompass a wide variety of entertainment including individual vocalists and musicians, instrumental groups, skits, talk shows and more. Guests can reserve spots online for the events they wish to attend, which will take place at different venues within the church such as the Pazzi Chapel, the Refectory, as well as the Brunelleschi and Arnolfo courtyards.  While all events are free, reservations must be made at www.controradio.it.

In addition to enjoying the festival’s musical acts and creative talents, visitors will be able to admire the impressive art works of Santa Croce. The imposing, grand 15th century fresco by Taddeo Gaddi in the Refectory concert hall will amaze with its intricately patterned designs and many characters, including a symbolic a “tree of life” with Christ at the center of the wooden cross. Artfully depicted messages of salvation branch out from the core and weave all the way to the prophets, who are the recipients.

CONCERTS

The first performance will begin at 8:15 pm on Thursday, September 20 in the Arnolfo courytard. The Diambolulù Swing Trio will play their signature gypsy jazz and swing dance music on two guitars and a double bass. Distinguished singer/songwriter Erika Mou will play from 9:45-10:40 pm in the Brunelleschi courtyard, debuting songs from her 2017 album “Bandiere sulla Luna”. From 10:30-11:30, visitors can listen to jazz music from Silvia Bolognesi and Marco Colonna (winners of a 2010 “Top Jazz” award for best new Italian jazz talent).

On Friday, September 21, the musical group Area Open Project will take the stage in the Brunelleschi courtyard from 8:30-9:50 pm, playing their unique blend of progressive rock, free jazz, electronic and ethnic music. From 9-9:50 pm, American tenor saxophonist Dan Kinzelman will perform his musical act, “Resist/Evolve” in the Pazzi Chapel. At 9:30 pm, Peppe Voltarelli will fill the air in the Refectory with a tribute to his Southern Italian musical roots via a contemporary spin on folk music.

Also on Friday at 10 pm, Tiziana Ghiglioni (heralded as “the first lady of Italian jazz”) will make a triumphant return to Florence in the Chiostro del Brunelleschi with an exclusive concert titled the “Tenco Project.”  Ghiglioni is widely regarded as the best interpreter of Luigi Tenco’s repertoire, and this tribute to one of the most famous, innovative and tragic figures in Italian music will surely captivate all who gather in the Brunelleschi courtyard to listen. Musician Pasquale Mirra will further contribute to the extraordinary evening with a percussion show from 10:15-11:15 pm, incorporating Tibetan bells, synth and various other objects to create an entirely unique and ethereal sound in the Pazzi Chapel. The night will conclude with a collaborative performance from 10:45-11:45 pm by Albanian cellist Redi Haza and Italian vocalist Maria Mazzotta in the Refectory.

The grand finale and pinnacle event of the festival will take place at dawn on the morning of Saturday, September 22. At 6 am American composer and musician Terry Mitchell Riley will take the stage in the Chiostro del Brunelleschi to perform the one-of-a-kind minimalist music for which he is credited as being one of the most important influencers. Riley’s style is inspired and influenced by indie music, zen philosophy, traditional Balinese music and Indian music (which he studied at length). The gates to the courtyard will open at 5:45 am for guests to bask in the glow of the rising sun and the enchanting notes of his iconic compositions.  (leigh van ryn)