Your Thursday forecast: best events in Florence

Your Thursday forecast: best events in Florence

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Thu 31 Aug 2017 7:15 AM

OPERA/The New Generation Festival
August 31-September 3
Corsini Gardens, via della Scala 115, Florence

Enjoy September’s first excuse to don formal wear and relish a Renaissance setting: the Corsini Gardens, usually closed to the public, are the venue for Florence’s first edition of The New Generation Festival, a weekend of orchestral performances, opera, fine food and wine. Primed to become an annual event, the festival will bring top young talent to the Tuscan stage. All performances begin at 7.30pm, with a 75-minute interval for wining and dining in the garden (food hampers come at an additional cost and are recommended, but not required). For tickets and a detailed program, see the website.

ART/Open Studios at Villa Romana
September 2, 5pm-2am
Villa Romana, via Senese 68, Florence

German cultural institute and artist residency Villa Romana hosts its annual Open Studios day this weekend, with a plethora of events and installations on the program. This year’s fellows work with video, light installations, performance art and a range of other media. Visits to exhibits will be complemented by music from Big Bass & Roi Yeli (Mali/ Senegal/ Florence), Maal & Mortimer with Chris Filippini (Berlin) and DJ Janosch Ulm (Berlin). Guided visits, live interviews and performance art are also on the program: for a detailed schedule, see the Facebook event.

THEATRE/Season Opening: The Medici Dynasty Show
September 5, 7pm
Il Fuligno complex, via Faenza 48b, Florence

Fresh off their Ferragosto vacations, the last Medici heirs Gian Gastone and Anna Maria Luisa (Tim Daish and Carolina Gamini) return to the Renaissance city for a full fall of performances in The Medici Dynasty Show. Power, art and legacy are the unifying themes of this nearly three year-strong production, which chronicles three centuries of Medici family history through a conversation between the siblings. Equally captivating is the magnificent Baroque setting of Il Fuligno, a hidden space on via Faenza that’s hard to just happen upon – there are opportunities to view its frescoes and hidden corners pre- and post-show. For ticketing information, see the website.

OUT OF TOWN/Benjamin Clementine in Prato
September 4, 9pm
Piazza Duomo, Prato

Benjamin Clementine’s soaring vocals are sure to be a highlight of Prato’s annual arts festival Settembre // Prato è spettacolo. The Ghanaian-British-French singer and multi-instrumentalist, who got his start as a street performer, is a past recipient of the prestigious Mercury Prize, which recognizes top musicians in Ireland and the UK. The seated show promises to be intimate and relaxed and features an opening performance by Florence-born Alice Bisi, known by her stage name Birthh. For additional information and tickets, see the festival website.

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