OPENINGS/ Visit private courtyards and gardens
May 23
- Giardino Torrigiani, one of the sites viewable this weekend
A rare opportunity presents itself this weekend with the chance to see privately owned villas and gorgeous gardens as part of the annual Cortili e Giardini Aperti (Open Courtyards and Gardens) event. From Italian formal gardens to magnificent castles, sites all over Tuscany open their doors for one day only, with highlights including Villa Galileo, Palazzo Malenchini and a performance by musicians from the Fiesole Music School on the terrace of the historic Tornabuoni Tower. Upon mandatory reservation, the public can view the heritage spots for free from 10am-1pm and 2-6pm on May 23. Choose from 30 historic homes, parks and courtyards, organized by the A.D.S.I. (Association of Historic Homes). Four guided itineraries by Città Nascosta are also on offer, taking in sites such as Palazzo Antinori Aldobrandini and Palazzo Frescobaldi. The guided tours cost 10 euro, with reservations required by calling 055 6802590, 055 6801680 or emailing info@cittanascosta.it.
FAMILY/ Dante per tutti
May 22 and 23
Delve into Dante in this stunning setting
This weekend, free Dante-themed workshops for children will be held at the Bargello, with 600 free tickets available for accompanying adults (one per child). Organized by Fondazione CR Firenze, the events are tailored to entertain and educate young people aged 7-13, with the Supreme Poet, Dante Alighieri, taking center stage. The dedicated exhibition currently on display at the Bargello, Honorable and Ancient Citizen of Florence, will be the focus of the workshops held on Saturday and Sunday. Curated by L’Immaginario Cultural Association, the activities will see 9 children per group discover the works in an innovative and exciting way over the course of an hour and a half. A Dante kit will be given as a parting gift, containing a notebook and the recently published ‘Paper Dante’ book published by Giunti, which is a reprint of the 1949 Disney edition. Entrance to the museum and participation in the workshops is free for under 18s, with a free ticket for one companion only, subject to availability. Reservation required by calling 055 294883 or emailing laboratoridantebargello@operalaboratori.com. For more info, see here.
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
CONCERT/ Chiara Saccone and the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina
7.30pm, May 22 and 23
Chiara Saccone, soloist of the Florentine Chamber Orchestra
Two extraordinary evenings of Mozart are set to fill the Auditorium Santo Stefano al Ponte this Saturday and Sunday. Conducted by Damiano Tognetti with solo pianist Chiara Saccone, the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina will perform a rich repertoire of Becheri and Mozart from 7.30pm each evening. The programme includes Mozart’s Concerto for piano and orchestra n.21 and the remarkable Prague Symphony, contrasted with the contemporary composition of Roberto Becheri whose work titled ‘Bridges’ is set to enchant audiences. Tickets cost from 10-20 euro and can be booked here.
Auditorium Santo Stefano al Ponte,
Piazza di Santo Stefano 5, Florence
CINEMA/ 19th Florence Korea Film Fest
May 21-28
‘Josée’ written and directed by Kim Jong-kwan
It’s finally time to settle in front of the big screen as cinemas make their highly anticipated return. Online options are available on the Più Compagnia platform for all those preferring to tune in from their own homes. The line-up of the most important Italian festival dedicated to the best of contemporary South Korean cinema sees a tribute to film star Moon So-ri with screenings of eight of her films and a retrospective to recently deceased film director Kim Ki-duk. There’s a new category for this 19th edition of the popular festival: Korean New Wave, focusing on the best of Korean cinema from 1990 to 2004. Over 100 films are featured in the programme, ranging from short films to documentaries, with events dedicated to South Korean culture also set to stream online.
Cinema La Compagnia, via Camillo Cavour 50R, Florence
and the Più Compagnia platform
EXHIBITION/ Turandot and the Fantastic East of Puccini, Chini + Caramba
May 22 to November 21
Ph/ Marco Badiani
Dazzling costumes and glittering jewels prevail in this multidisciplinary and wide-ranging exhibition that details the Tuscan composer Giacomo Puccini’s path to choosing the painter Galileo Chini as set designer and Luigi Sapelli (known as Caramba) as costume designer for the world premiere of Puccini’s much-loved masterpiece, Turandot. The fascinating exhibition traces a path through the history of opera and art in the early 20th century, which was influenced by artistic production in the East.
Museo del Tessuto, Prato
