Recent restrictions may leave you feeling limited, given the closure of museums and exhibitions on top of theatres and cinemas, but Florence never fails to provide culture and entertainment when we need it most. Here’s our pick for November.
THEATRE/ Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story
November 22, 2020 at 5pm Pacific / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern
For the past seven months, pianist, performer and producer Hershey Felder has been finding ways to support theatres and theatre artists, while entertaining audiences during these complicated times. A delightful Debussy journey achieves that in a live-streamed performance that takes us through Paris and how it shaped a whole new world of colour in sound in the music of Claude Debussy. A ticket, valid for a household, includes extended viewing access of the recording through Sunday, November 29 and also helps The Florentine as a percentage of ticket sales generously goes towards supporting our magazine.
Buy your ticket here: theflr.net/HersheyFelderDebussy.
DISCUSSION/ Firenze Now! The Future of Florence: Manufacturing and Botteghe
November 5, 6pm
Talks about building a better Florence
Top Florentine and international experts debate the big ideas for rebuilding Florence’s economy to make the city a better place for everyone. This edition of the series will focus on manufacturing and the botteghe (artisans workshops), looking at issues such as what are the key industries that Florence needs, and how can tradition and innovation best work together. The talk will take place at the Harold Acton Library, but audiences can tune in to the live stream on Zoom or Facebook. Panelists include John Hooper (The Economist), Sara Amrhein (Creative People in Florence), Giacomo Coresi (Montblanc/Richemont) and Alessandro Sorani (Confartigianto Imprese Firenze /Polimoda). Donations requested. Email director@britishinstitute.it for info. Keep an eye on their ongoing cultural programme also at www.britishinstitute.it.
TALK/ Restoration Conversations: ‘Art rescue in progress’
November 13, 6.30pm
Art-filled chat series
Those who have always wanted to visit an art conservation studio will now have their chance to view a Florence atelier from afar. On November 13, art lovers around the world are invited to tune into the online series ‘Restoration Conversations’ for an interview titled ‘Art rescue in progress’, with Florence-based conservator Elizabeth Wicks. On location, live from her studio near piazza Santa Croce, Elizabeth will discuss the art of healing two large-scale ovals by 18th-century painter Violante Ferroni: Saint John of God Heals Plague Victims and Saint John of God Feeds the Poor. To join this art-filled conversation revealing the secrets of one of Florence’s most fascinating professions, tune in online, with Advancing Women Artists and The Florentine on Friday, November 13 at 6.30pm in Italy; 12.30pm EST; 9.30am PST; 5.30pm in the UK. Access directly through TF’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
CINEMA/ Festival dei Popoli – International Documentary Film Festival
November 15-22
61st edition of the festival takes a new format
The 61st edition of Festival dei Popoli, the international documentary film festival, moves to online streaming on MYmovies.it. Eighteen films, including short-, medium- and full-length films that have all been previously unreleased in Italy, will take to the virtual space to compete for 7 titles in the documentary competition. Categories include “Habitat”, on themes of the ecosystem and contemporary living, and “Let the Music Play” as well as “Kids and Teens” dedicated sections. 9.90 euro will grant you access to the festival calendar, as well as access to panel discussions, masterclasses and meetings with some of the leading names.
CONCERT/ Ottone Rosai streamed performances
Due Pasquini Canalicchio
A.Gi.Mus. Florence have arranged live streamed performances from the Ottone Rosai Auditorium, the first of which will take place on November 8 at 11am, featuring flautist Andrea Pasquini and pianist Matteo Canalicchio with music by Reinecke, Schubert, Schulhoff and Prokofiev. Following that, on November 15 at 11am there’ll be a musical performance by violinist Alessio Benvenuti and cellist Luca Provenzani, who will perform ‘A morning with Bach’. Concerts take place live on the A.Gi.Mus Facebook page.
MUSEUMS/ Digital learning
The magnificence of Palazzo Vecchio
A digital program of remote interactive activities has been announced by the Florentine museums of Palazzo Vecchio Museum, Stefano Bardini Museum, Santa Maria Novella Museum, the Brancacci Chapel, Museum of Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Museo Novecento and MAD – Murate Art District. For schools, the project will feature a wide variety of digital educational activities available for children. Divided into categories, the tailor-made activities have been curated for different age groups, exploring the wonders and many stories of Florence’s rich cultural heritage. Participation is free, but booking is required. Write to didattica@muse.comune.fi.it or phone 39 055 2616788. Information on the programme can be found here.
INNOVATION/Recò Festival
November 6-8
Recò returns for the second edition of the festival focused on circular economy. A center of design and fashion, Prato plays a fundamental role in all areas of production, making it the ideal location for the only festival of its kind in Tuscany. This month-long calendar of radio shows and live-streamed events includes over 30 live broadcasts that ensure you can tune in from wherever you are, as well as an intriguing podcast series on the themes of circular innovation as a key to start over. Sustainable fashion, upcycling, theories of design and environmental concerns are topics touched on in the festivities.
CONTEMPORARY/ Lo Schermo dell’Arte
November 10-14
Cinema, moving images and contemporary art are the subjects of this innovative festival, now in its 13th edition. Over 30 films pack the programme with works varying from arthouse cinema to documentaries and short films. Screenings will be on demand via the Più Compagnia platform in collaboration with MyMovies.it, making it possible to soak up the cinematic excellence from the comfort of your own homes. As well as films from all over the globe, there will also be Q&As with creatives and talks you won’t want to miss out on. Forming part of the celebrations is the 9th edition of the VISIO research and residency program who launch an exhibition curated by Leonardo Bigazzi titled ‘Mostra Resisting the Trouble – Moving images in times of crisis’ (November 9-December 9). Produced alongside NAM-Not A Museum, it takes place as part of Manifattura Tabacchi’s contemporary art program.
READ/ DigiToscana online library
Ph. Marco Badiani
Libraries may be closed, but there’s endless access online via the DigiToscana MediaLibraryOnLine platform. Extensive options from film, audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, newspapers and more await your free consultation, with a wide selection of languages available.
ARCHIVES/ 200 years of the Gabinetto Vieusseux
November 7 – April 17
Giangiacomo and Inge Feltrinelli at the Gabinetto Vieusseux, 1959
Activities for the bicentenary of the Gabinetto Vieusseux resumes online via the virtual platform, Più Compagnia. The cultural centre dating back to 1819 has seen numerous events celebrate its existence. The latest of them includes a talk on November 7, which will see Michela Murgia discuss communication, and on November 28, Stefano Mancuso will talk about the word “Earth”.
