The Orchestra della Toscana’s Tribute & Contemporary Take on Mozart
ORT CONCERT. Teatro Verdi, Via Ghibellina 99. 9 pm. Admission: €22 for a full price ticket, €18 for a reduced-price ticket, €10 for those under 30 and €5 for students.
Diego Ceretta, the principal conductor of the Orchestra della Toscana will be conducting a musical homage to Mozart at the Teatro Verdi. The program consists of two of Mozart’s most iconic late concertos opened by one modern piece by artist and composer Lera Auerbach. The concert also serves as an homage to Massimo De Bernart, the first director of the ORT, who passed away on March 7, 2004, 20 years to the day before the Florence concert.
Ceretta’s presence as the principal conductor of the ORT, a position he has held since 2023, comes as a monumental step in the young conductor’s already incredible career. Ceretta debuted in 2016 at the age of 20 as a conductor with the Italian Philharmonic Orchestra, before going on to play with more of the finest orchestras in Italy and in iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City. Ceretta even assisted Daniele Gatti at the Teatro Dell’Opera in Rome for the world premiere of the opera ‘Julius Caesar’ in 2021.
This concert features a modern piece by Lera Auerbach, an actively working composer, visual artist, writer, and pianist. Born in Siberia, the critically acclaimed “modern renaissance woman” has come a long way. She began working in New York city as a teenager, where she eventually gained international acclaim for her artistic talents. Her original composition, titled ‘Eterniday’ which will open the ORT’s Thursday concert, provides a “rethinking” of Mozart’s music.
‘Eterniday’ combines the words ‘eternity’ and ‘day,’ as a commentary on the balance between fragility and permanence, themes ever-present in Mozart’s work as well as the story of his life. The 18th century composer whose permanent status as a cultural icon has transcended hundreds of years, only lived to be 35.
Auerbach’s work will be followed by Mozart’s Concerto no.20, the most dramatic of the Salzburg concertos because of its stormy D-minor key and rhythmic turbulence. This concerto sways between poetic romanticism, dark and moody tones, and sunny jubilation.
The program will conclude with the composer’s last ever symphony, ‘Jupiter.’ This work is monumental in its sound and historical significance as the conclusion of Mozart’s prolific career and life. (Amaya Gallay)
This concert is sure to be a notable moment in Florence’s classical music scene. For more information and to pre-order tickets, visit https://www.
