Summer in Italy 2009: exhibitions, music, opera festivals, folklore events, sport and much more...!

April 23rd 2009

If you are thinking of taking a holiday in Italy this summer, then it would be a shame to miss one of its fabulous events that take place throughout the country. Here are just a few of the highlights.....

ART EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS

Rome - until July 5th, 2009 ;

An extraordinary exhibition, perhaps the most comprehensive devoted to Fra Angelico in recent years, at the conclusion of the celebrations for the 550th anniversary of his death. Precious works from the most important Italian and foreign museums, some of which have never been exhibited in the past, document the work of a painter who was also a monk and was considered the most important artist at the time. He lived in between Masaccio and Piero della Francesca and his works represent the transition in Italian art from the Middle Ages to early Renaissance.

Naples - until July 5th, 2009 ;

Museo Pignatelli

Over two hundred works on display by Vincenzo Gemito, an Italian artist active in Naples between 1868 and 1929. He was one of the protagonists of European art from the nineteenth and twentieth century. Sculptor, goldsmith and designer, his work belongs to the iconographic national heritage but to date there have been only few exhibitions dedicated to him. Youth works and drawings show the classic spirit of the artist who always refused to work with marble and preferred softer materials to be shaped into works of art.

Milan - until June 7th, 2009 ;

Milan, on the occasion of the centenary of the futurist movement, hosts an exhibition dedicated solely to the work of Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the father of the new course of Italian art, the current that has marked a profound change in society and culture of the early '900. Futurism was one of the artistic and literary phenomena most important in Italy and in Europe that involved political, costume, moral, scientific progress.

Rome - Until January 10th, 2010

Rome celebrates the 2000th anniversary of the Emperor Vespasianus’ birth, with an amazing new exhibition through the main buildings of Fori Imperiali monumental complex. This exhibition, also highlights an Emperor often overlooked by the obscure madness of Nero and the enlighten governance of Adrianus, even if Vespasianus played an essential role in the Roman Empire history. He modified the structure of the political authorities as well as the government of the Empire.

“DARWIN 1809-2009”

Rotonda della Besana – Milan

June 1st / November 24th, 2009

This is one of the largest exhibitions dedicated to the English naturalist on the bicentennial of his birth. After opening in Rome, the exhibition moves to Milan in the seat of Rotonda della Besana.

Perugia, Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria - Until July 26 ;

The paintings of Alberto Burri were produced over a period of about 50 years. His initial period as a figurative painter was very short and ended in 1947 when he began experimenting painting on sacks, pieces of wood and iron and ultimately plastic, always with a great sense for space and colour.

Napoli –May 29/September 14 ;

This Neapolitan artist was internationally acknowledged in the'80s, an historic moment in which the artists started reacting to the then dominant Conceptual Movement.

Matera – June 13-October 3 ;

On the occasion of the centenary of his birth, Matera dedicates an anthology to Dino Basaldella, housed in the Church of the Madonna of Virtues, St. Nicholas Greek and MUSMA all carved in the rocks of Matera. The exhibition brings together 80 sculptures, 50 drawings and 25 jewels from museums and private collections, as well as previously unseen pictures and documents.

Matera – Urbino - Palazzo Ducale - Until July 12th 2009 ;

The exhibition, that will be taking place from the 4th of April to the 12th of July in the Trono room and in the apartment of the Duchess of the Ducale Palace, house of the National Gallery of the Marche, aims to bring to light the formative years of Raffaello and the great expressive culture found in the Urbinese court and above all the influence of his father in his education. There will be some of Raffaello’s greatest works on display, 20 paintings and 19 original drawings.

Reggia di Caserta – Caserta in Campania – Until 6 July 2009 ;

In the magnificent Reggia di Caserta (Caserta’s Royal Palace), this exhibition in entirely dedicated to the genius of Lodewijk van Wittel, know as Luigi Vanvitelli, architect and painter of the Borbons Court between 1750 and 1773, one of the main representative of the art of the 18th century in Italy.

Tarquinia ;

The ancient Etruscan necropolis at Collina Monterozzi in Tarquinia, Lazio (Unesco World Heritage site) has finally been re-opened to visitors after a period of restoration. In particular one can now admire restored paintings found in the Etruscan tombs of the 5th century before Christ.

MUSIC, OPERA AND PERFORMING ARTS

Napoli - June 4th - June 28th, 2009;

This year, the second edition of the Napoli Teatro Festival Italia furthers its international vocation through collaborations with the Theater de la Ville in Paris, the Edinburgh Festival, and the Wiener Festwochen. Artists from different nationalities will come together on the stage, all to create new productions. This second edition will also be held throughout the city, from Decumani to the Quartieri Spagnoli, in 17th-century halls and churches, in the Real Albergo dei Poveri, to the city's ancient subterranean vaults and the rooftops of its tallest palazzos, until you leave the city itself.

Stresa – May 2nd / 17th, 2009 ;

Stresa Festival opens its doors to the public one more time with three themed events, held in

a number of venues on different dates. Opening the season is the “SPRING CONCERTS” series: five outdoor musical events on weekends in May, hosted in parks and in lakeside villas.

Teatro Comunale – Florence – April 29th / July 2nd, 2009 ;

This is one of the oldest traditional cultural events in Florence. The Stabile Orchestrale

Fiorentina was born in 1928 and in 1933 it organized the first edition of the Festival, which, over the years grew to international fame. The Festival has its own Ballet company called Maggio Dance

Venice – June 7th / November 22nd, 2009 ;

The 53rd International Art Exhibition incorporates some changes starting from the remodelling of the Italia Pavillion, which will be only partially completed in time for the 2009 edition.

Ravenna – June 14th – July 18th, 2009 ;

This is a not-to-be-missed event with music, dance, theatre, poetry, movies in one of Italy’s

most outstanding art cities. Since the beginning, this exhibition features genre crossovers between the most important names of the classical tradition as well as rock, pop and jazz.

Greek-Roman Theatre, Taormina – June 13-20 2009 ;

The best loved film festival in Italy in the scenic surroundings of the Treatro Greco of Toaormina in Sicily.

Greek-Roman Theatre, Verona – June 19th / August 30th, 2009 ;

This will be the 87th edition of the International Opera Festival. The 2009 calendar offers five operas and a gala in the Roman Amphitheatre, which welcomes once again artists and public in its magnificent setting.

Spoleto – June 26th / July 12th, 2009 ;

This international art, culture and music festival is regarded as one of the most important cultural events in Italy. Its program distinguishes itself for outstanding original,

innovative and, at times, exclusive performances.

Torre del Lago – June 15th / August 16th, 2009 ;

Torre del Lago hosts the Festival Puccini, created by Puccini himself, since 1930. The outdoor theatre, close to Villa Mausoleo where the Master’s remains lie, is an amazing setting to enjoy the music of one of the most outstanding and esteemed Italian artists worldwide.

Ravello – end of June / end of October – Dates TBD ;

Coraggio (Courage) is the theme of the 2009 edition of the Ravello Festival. The world-renowned Festival offers a wide variety of classical and chamber music events as well as dance and visual arts. Each year, promoters reserve a space for new artistic and special events.

SPORT EVENTS

Start: May 9/31 ;

The Giro d'Italia, which celebrates its first hundred years, dates back to May 13 1909. Lance Armstrong is the undisputed star of the international Tour. The 37 year old Texan champion and cancer survivor has won the Tour de France 7 times in succession and will compete in his first Giro d'Italia race.

May 9/10 – Dates TBD ;

The most beautiful vintage cars in the world chosen to participate in the race each year are selected under rigorous guidelines. The new edition presented by ATI foresees events like “la Notte Bianca” (“the White Night") with the involvement of at least 300 artists, and "World Mosaic", an event closely linked to the "Mille Miglia Community." The 2009 edition plans a departure from Brescia, journeying through Ferrara, Urbino, San Marino, Rome with a stopover at Castel Sant'Angelo.

Roma –May 27 ;

The Finals of the UEFA Champions League will take place in Rome on 27 May at the Stadio Olimpico. The new logo chosen by UEFA combines the actual trophy with a “laurel wreath” crown, symbol of victory in ancient Rome. Tickets will be on sale in February, while the event will see a participation of a TV audience composed of more than 150 million spectators from over 230 nations.

Turin – June 6/13 2009;

Italy was awarded the World Air Games 2009 to be hosted in the city of Turin.

The 10 sporting disciplines will be involved which constitute all the sport of the area. 27 competitions are programmed: 21 over Turin Airport - Aeritalia. Mondovì will host the Balloon race and Avigliana the race for handgliders and parachuters. The indoor aeromodelling aero-musicals competitions are expected to be held at the Palazzetto dello Sport – Palaruffini.

Pescara – June 26/ July 5

This will be the XVI edition of a sporting event with the participation of athletes from the 23 countries of the Mediterranean basin. Pescara and the Abruzzo Region are preparing their sports facilities. Sixteen days of great sport with thirty disciplines.

FOLKLORE EVENTS

Venezia – 24 May 2009;

– Events and Festivals Section

In previous centuries this Feast-day held an important role in the social and political life of Venice. If, historically speaking, the Sensa is the result of the overlapping of civil and religious rites and events through the ages, today it is read as an event to celebrate the intricate relationship that the city has always had with the sea, both in commercial and architectural terms.

(RACE OF THE CANDLES)

Gubbio – May 15 ;

The Festa Dei Ceri is one of the oldest, if not the oldest Italian folklore display. The festival has always played a fundamental role in the heart of the local community. Its origins are obscure, it is enough to know that there are two basic hypotheses: one religious and one pagan. However, a well-documented version sees the festival as a solemn act of devotion on the part of the Eugubini towards their Bishop Ubaldo Baldassini which started in 1160, the year of his death. Since then, every 15 May, the eve of the day of mourning, the devotional offering to the patron Saint is a fixed appointment for the people of Gubbio who take part in a great mystical procession, carrying candles all around the town and up Mount Ingino (where since 11 September 1194 the body of Saint Ubaldo lies, in the church which bears his name).

Narni (TR) – From 2-11 May ;

The “Race of the Ring 2009 of Narni” is the main event of a large historic evocation organized during the days preceding and following the celebration of the protector San Giovenale and that has its origin in the traditional ceremonies dating back to the first half of the XIVth century. A night parade, composed of more than 600 personages, reaches the Cathedral to give homage to the tomb of San Giovenale, first Bishop of Narni. On May 3, during the celebration of the Saint Protector the actual "Historic Race of the Ring" takes place; it consists of an equestrian race, to which during the Antiquity were allowed to participate all the young men of Narni possessing a horse, during which the cavaliers must take with a silver spar a ring hanging to two cables in front of the Communal Palace. of San Giovenale, patron of the town.

Ferrara – 9-31 May 2009 ;

The Palio of Ferrara is the most ancient event of its kind is the world dating back to 1279. It is peculiar for its kind of ride that is joyful and so different from other warlike palii. This is a very important moment for the city: all the Contrade participate wearing dress of different colours to gain the “palio”, but also and overall it is a festivity to remember the Renaissance, a period in which Ferrara was really a capital.

Pisa - June 16 and 17 2009;

On the occasion of the Feast of San Ranieri, Patron Saint of Pisa, celebrated annually on 17 June, the enchantment of the illuminations of Saint Ranieri is renewed on the streets running along the river Arno (the so-called Lungarni). In fact, following the ancient tradition the Pisans celebrate their Patron Saint on the following day. There are about seventy-thousand wax candles which at every edition are meticulously set in smooth and white glasses and fixed then onto wooden white-painted frames, modelled in such a way as to exalt the outline of the palaces, of the bridges, of the churches and of the towers reflecting the river.

Note:

Information supplied by the

Italian State Tourist Board