An eleven-day cultural festival meant to “inspire people to discover the importance of the traditions of the past.”
Lectures
The Contributions of Florence to World Culture: The Arts and Beyond.
Since the “Age of the Medici,” Florence has functioned as an international capital. There is much to be learned from the history and leadership of Florence as a center of banking and commerce, science, politics, literature, art, architecture, philanthropy and preservation.
At Pace University, Michael Schimmel Center, 3 Spruce St., unless otherwise noted. Free, but tickets are required to guarantee admission. Order in advance at www.pace.edu/culture or by calling 212-346-1715 within 7 days of the event.
Topics:
“Cultural Conservation: Restoring and Preserving Florentine Artworks” So that future generations may enjoy the cultural legacy of the past, Florentines have become experts in the field of art preservation. Learn about the restoration projects completed by the Friends of Florence Foundation. With Simonetta Brandolini, President of Friends of Florence. Oct. 1 at 11am.
“Florence and the Origins of Western Politic, Thought, and Practice” Focuses on the fascinating political history of Florence including royal marriages and Guelphs versus Ghibellines. With Dr. Beverly Kahn. Oct. 5 at 11am.
“Dante’s Divine Comedy” This lecture will delve into the philosophical and religious assumptions that underlie Dante Aligheri’s The Divine Comedy. With Dr. Lawrence Hundersmarck. Oct. 5 at 2pm.
“Florentine Architecture” This discussion, fully illustrated with slides, examines the history, design, and decoration of Florence’s religious and secular monuments. With Dr. Jenette Rebold Benton. Oct. 5 at 4pm.
Concerts
“Puccini and Friends” Singers from two of the world’s most acclaimed opera companies, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and the New York City Opera, will perform arias from one of Tuscany’s greatest composers, Giacomo Puccini. Sept. 30 at 7pm. World Financial Center, Winter Garden, 220 Vesey St.
“An Evening of Strings” Features Violinist Lorenza Borrani from Scuola di Musica di Fiesole joined by the Stuyvesant High School String Orchestra. Together, they will perform a special program of music by Bach and Schubert. Oct.1 at 7pm. Stuyvesant High School, 345 Chambers St.
“A Romantic Interlude” The world’s most recognized and romantic classical works will be performed by Violinist Lorenza Borrani from Scuola di Musica di Fiesole and singers from Maggio Musicale Fiorentino as they share the stage for the first time. Oct. 2 at 7pm. Pace University, Michael Schimmel Center, 3 Spruce St. Free, but tickets are required to guarantee admission. Order in advance at www.pace.edu/culture or by calling 212-346-1715 within 7 days of the event.
“Concerto Classico” Violinist Lorenza Borrani and the Savinio Quartet from Scuola di Musica di Fiesole will feature an all-strings program of music by Beethoven, Schostakovich and Petrassi. Oct. 4 at 7pm. World Financial Center, World Garden, 220 Vesey St.
Discover Florence Family Day
Families are invited to discover Florence through their own creative talents. Sat, Oct. 9 from noon – 5pm. World Financial Center, Winter Garden, 220 Vesey St.
Street Painting Three contemporary street painters from Art for After Hours will create a giant 15 by 20 foot chalk reproduction of Botticelli’s La Primavera on the floor of the Winter Garden. Thurs, Oct. 7 thru Sat, Oct. 9.
Films
A celebration of some of the most important and best-loved films with the city of Florence as the lead character. All films are to be shown at Pace University, Michael Schimmel Center, 3 Spruce St. Free, but tickets are required to guarantee admission. Order in advance at www.pace.edu/culture or by calling 212-346-1715 within 7 days of the event.
A Room with a View (1985). Lucy Honeychurch, a young Englishwoman, makes her first visit to Florence, Italy in the early 1900s. There she meets a quiet yet eccentric young man named George Emerson. Upon her return to England, Lucy must decide whether to follow through with her marriage to her fiancé, Cecil, or follow her heart. Directed by James Ivory and starring Maggie Smith and Helen Bonham Carter. Oct. 3 at 1pm.
Per Firenze (1966). This rarely seen documentary was made in the days immediately following Florence’s great flood in 1966. It depicts the destruction wrought upon the great city and its art. Directed by Franco Zefferreli and Narrated by Richard Burton. Oct. 3 at 4pm.
Paisan (1946). Six vignettes follow the Allied invasion of Italy from Sicily to Venice. This cinematic indictment of WWII illustrates the horrendous impact the war had on the country and the heroic effort to move forward. Directed by Roberto Rossellini. Oct. 3 at 7pm.
Pontormo (2004). The United States premiere! The film features a recreation of Pontormo’s final fresco, Coro of San Lorenzo. Directed by Giovanni Fago and starring Joe Mantegna. Oct. 10 at 7pm.
Photo
“David Lees for Life: Triumph from Tragedy” David Lees photographed for Life magazine and captured some of the most dramatic events of the last century on film including the great flood of 1966, which destroyed many of Florence’s treasured works of art. Oct. 1 – Oct. 10, daily 10am – 6pm and Oct. 11 – Nov. 12, weekdays from 11am – 6pm. World Financial Center, Courtyard Gallery, 220 Vesey St.
Art Exhibit
“The Medici on Wall Street: Portraits from the Uffizi Gallery” Twenty magnificent 16th and 17th century portraits of the powerful Medici family, the world’s first art patrons, will be on display in an unprecedented loan from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. La Madonna della gatta, not seen by the public for centuries, will also be on display following a recent restoration. Oct. 1-10, daily from 9am – 5pm and Oct. 11 – Nov. 12, weekdays from 9am – 5pm. Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall Street.
Special Wine Dinners
Presented by one of the first names in Tuscan wine, Castello Banfi, this three-dinner series focuses on the great wines of the region as well as its marvelous cuisine.
“Tuscan Treats” Classic wines, such as Rosso and Brunello di Montacino, will be paired with traditional Tuscan dishes. Oct. 4 at 7pm.
“Super Tuscany: Innovation and Tradition Hand-in Hand” Internationally recognized creative dishes with definitive Tuscan soul with wines like Cum Laude and SummuS. Oct. 6 at 7pm.
“A Tuscan Harvest: Bounty from the Rolling Hills” Featuring dishes that focus on the bounty that autumn brings with a special selections of wines ranging in age and style. Oct. 8 at 7pm.
Taste of Tuscany
“The Tratorria at the Grill Room” The Grill Room, a World Financial Center restaurant, will be transformed into a Tuscan trattoria with guest chefs from Florence creating “gastronomic works of art.” Through Oct. 10. World Financial Center, Mezzanine level, 225 Liberty St. For more information and reservations, please call 212-945-9400.
Gift Shop
Choose from a wide variety of beautifully handcrafted items made by the Florentine artisans in the Winter Garden. Coffee table books including the catalogues from The Medici on Wall Street and The Madonna della Gatta exhibitions will also be available. Oct. 1 – Oct. 10, daily from 10am – 6pm. World Financial Center, Courtyard Gallery.
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