Your guide to what’s on in Italy this autumn, from art shows and sports events to festivals and concerts.
ARTS
Forlì Arte Contemporanea (Forlì Contemporary Art) Art fair that brings together artists, galleries, collectors and all those passionate about modern art.
Where: Forlì, Emilia-Romagna
When: 8 to 11 November 2013
Website: http://www.fieracontemporanea.it/
Diafane passioni: Avori barocchi dalle corti europee (Diaphonous Passions: Baroque Ivory from the Courts of Europe) An exhibition of some 150 pieces at the Museo degli Argenti (Medici Treasury) from the Medici family’s collection of ivory sculptures, carvings and assorted artworks. The show features all kinds of objects from cups to mythological compositions, and genre scenes to portraits.
Where: Museo degli Argenti, Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Tuscany
When: Until 3 November 2013
Website: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/
Il mito, il sacro, il ritratto (The Myth, the Sacred, the Portrait) An exhibition of paintings from the repositories of the Palatine Gallery that date from the 1560s to the first half of the 17th century by painters including Artemisia Gentileschi and the Veronese Jacopo Ligozzi.
Where: Sala delle Nicchie, Palatine Gallery, Florence, Tuscany
When: Until 13 October 2013
Website: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/
Per il Gran Principe Ferdinando: Nature morte, paesi, bambocciate e caramogi dalle collezioni medicee (For the Grand Prince Ferdinando: Still Lifes, Landscapes, Miniatures and Caramogi from the Medici Collections) A show dedicated to the collection of Grand Prince Ferdinando de’ Medici held in his favourite villa. It comprises still lifes, miniatures, landscapes and genre paintings, as well as whimsical portrayals of caramogi (deformed, dwarf-like figures).
Where: Still Life Museum of the Villa of Poggio, Poggio a Caiano, Tuscany
When: Until 5 November 2013
Website: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/
Il Gran Principe: Ferdinando de’ Medici (1663-1713), Collezionista e Mecenate (The Grand Prince: Ferdinando De’ Medici (1663-1713), Collector And Patron Of The Arts) The show marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Grand Prince Ferdinando de’ Medici, who was one of the most important collectors and patrons of the arts in the history of the Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany. It includes paintings, engravings, silverware, statues, drawings and furniture, as well as a section devoted to the renovation of Palazzo Pitti, the Pergola Theatre and the cathedral of Florence for his wedding in 1689.
Where: Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Tuscany
When: Until 3 November 2013
Website: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/
Percorsi di meraviglia: Opere restaurate del Bargello (Paths of wonder: Restorations at the Bargello) A show focusing on some of the most important recently completed restorations of works from the collections of the Bargello National Museum, including tapestries, terracotta reliefs, jewellery and enamels.
Where: Bargello National Museum, Florence, Tuscany
When: Until 11 November 2013
Website: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/
Pietro Testa, artista filosofo del Seicento: L’omaggio di Filippo Baldinucci (PietroTesta, Artist-Philosopher of the 17th Century: Filippo Baldinucci’s Praise) An exhibition of the work of painter and engraver Pietro Testa put in context alongside a dialogue by his contemporary curator, Filippo Baldinucci, who was the first curator of the Medici collection.
Where: Department of Prints and Drawings of Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany
When: Until 6 October 2013
Website: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/
Da Donatello a Lippi: Officina Pratese (From Donatello to Lippi: the Prato Workshop) In the 15th century, the city of Prato became the centre of artistic innovation where many of the greatest Italian masters of the time operated. The exhibition features more than 60 works from museums around the world, and includes works by Filippo Lippi, Paolo Uccello, Donatello and Sandro Botticelli.
Where: Palazzo Pretorio, Prato, Tuscany
When: 13 September 2013 to 13 January 2014
Website: http://www.officinapratese.com/en/home/
Augusto (Augustus) The exhibition marks the 2,000th anniversary of Emperor Augustus’ death. The founder of the Roman Empire and its first emperor, Augustus ruled from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. The show tells the story of his dazzling career and of the birth of a new era through statues, portraits, household objects in bronze, silver and glass, golden jewellery and precious stones.
Where: Scuderie di Quirinale, Rome, Lazio
When: 18 October 2013 to 9 February 2014
Website: http://www.scuderiequirinale.it/
Cezanne e gli Artisti del XX secolo (Cezanne and the Artists of the 20th Century) This show is dedicated to the work of French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cézanne and attempts to show his influence on Italian artists.
Where: Complesso del Vittoriano, Rome, Lazio
When: 4 October 2013 to 2 February 2014
Website: http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/export/MiBAC/sito-MiBAC/Luogo/luoghi_cultura/Lazio/visualizza_asset.html_840096496.html
Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma (Rome International Film Festival) The festival is directed by Marco Müller and organised by Fondazione Cinema per Roma, presided over by Paolo Ferrari. It comprises film screenings, exhibitions, events, conferences and debates.
Where: Various venues including the Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome, Lazio
When: 8 to 17 November 2013
Website: http://www.romacinemafest.it/ecm/web/fcr/en/home
Roma Europa Festival International Arts Festival bringing together artists, dancers and musicians in a variety of venues across Rome. Highlights include performances by Nigerian choreographer Qudus Onikeku, German choreographer Sasha Waltz and her dance company, and Italian band Marlene Kuntz.
Where: Rome, Lazio
When: 18 October to 24 November 2013
Website: http://romaeuropa.net/festival.html
La magnifica ossessione (The Magnificent Obsession) The exhibition contains more than 1,200 works and occupies all of the Museo D’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Trento e Rovereto’s second floor. It starts with the works of Andrea Malfatti and runs through the 20th century to arrive at Richard Long’s ‘Trento Ellipse’.
Where: Museo D’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Trento e Rovereto, Rovereto Trento, Trentino
When: Until 2 February 2014
Website: http://www.mart.trento.it/
Leonardo da Vinci: L’uomo universale (Leonardo da Vinci: The Universal Man) This is Italy’s biggest show of Leonardo da Vinci's drawings in more 30 years. It includes 52 Leonardo drawings, including his iconic ‘Vitruvian Man’. The core of the exhibition is 25 of the artist’s works from the Gallerie dell’Accademia that were last shown together in 1980. They are displayed alongside pieces loaned from the Uffizi, the National Gallery of Parma, the Royal Library of Turin, the Royal Collection Trust of Windsor Castle, the British Museum, the Louvre and the Ashmolean.
Where: Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice, Veneto
When: Until 1 December 2013
Website: http://www.gallerieaccademia.org
FESTIVALS
Eurochocolate Eurochocolate is one of the largest chocolate festivals in Europe and caters to chocolate lovers, importers and chocolate makers. During the 10-day festival, the streets and squares of Perugia’s historic centre fill with a million people eager to see, taste and smell anything to do with chocolate. Visitors can enjoy free tastings of existing and experimental products, guided tours, workshops by chefs and confectioners, chocolate sculptures and even chocolate massages. This year’s theme is environmental sustainability.
Where: Perugia, Umbria
When: 18 to 27 October 2013
Website: http://www.eurochocolate.com/ita/home.php
Festa del Torrone (Nougat Festival) Cremona is the ideal place for those with a sweet tooth at any time of year, but more so in November when the town mounts a festival dedicated to the torrone sweet nougat for which it is famous. The festival includes a parade of 140 people in medieval costume – some on horseback – reenacting the wedding of Bianca Maria Visconti to Francesco Sforza in 1441. The couple became the Duke and Duchess of Milan. Their wedding took place in the city and lasted several days. The wedding cake was a large reproduction of the Torrazzo bell tower at Cremona Cathedral, which gave rise to Cremona torrone. The festival ends with a show comprising music, singing, traditional dancing and ballet.
Where: Cremona, Lombardy
When: 16 to 24 November 2013
Website: http://www.festadeltorronecremona.it/2013/
Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba (Alba International White Truffle Fair) An opportunity to sample the Piedmontese white truffle, Piedmontese gourmet food and wine, alongside a full programme of events and concerts.
Where: Alba, Piedmont
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 12 October to 17 November 2013
Website: http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/
Festa dell’Uva Merano (Merano Grape Festival) A traditional festival that takes place each year after the grape harvest on the third Sunday in October. The climax is a parade with music bands, the members of which are dressed in colourful Tyrolean costume, followed by sumptuously decorated floats.
Where: Merano/Meran, South Tyrol
When: 18 to 20 October 2013
Website: http://www.meran.eu/en/event/lts_grape_festival_in_merano_en/
Merano Wine Festival & Gourmet The annual event provides an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to taste and discuss a wide selection of Europe’s finest wines directly with their producers. It is paired with the Gourmet food festival, which features gastronomic delights from around Italy.
Where: Kurhaus, Piazza Terme and Passeggiata Lungo Passirio, Merano/Meran, South Tyrol
When: 8 to 11 November 2013
Website: http://www.meran.eu/en/event/lts_merano_winefestival__gourmet_en/
Sagra della Castagna (Chestnut Festival) Food festival in the village of Ranchio to celebrate the chestnut providing the chance to taste local dishes based on chestnuts, as well as buy salami, cheese, chestnuts, mushrooms, honey and truffles. There is also dancing, music and an art exhibition by 17th-century local painter, Michele Valbonesi.
Where: Ranchio, Sarsina, Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna
When: 13 October 2013
Website: http://www.prolocoranchio.it/c/16841/6178/sagra-della-castagna.html
Mostra Mercato Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco delle Colline Sanminiatesi (San Miniato White Truffle Festival) This food festival celebrates the town’s white truffle variety and offers local produce from wild boar salami to ice cream. Locals descend on the medieval twin-towered village for weekends throughout November.
Where: San Miniato, Tuscany
When: Dates to be confirmed, November 2013
Website: http://www.sanminiatopromozione.it/la-mostra-mercato-nazionale
Wine Food Festival Emilia-Romagna The Wine Food Festival Emilia-Romagna is a celebration of the region’s best food and wine, with 27 events celebrating 38 products from September to December. Some of the delicacies that inspire the celebrations include mortadella, culatello, truffle, porcino mushroom, Ortrugo and Malvasia wines, Parmigiano Reggiano, Lambrusco and more.
Where: Various locations throughout Emilia-Romagna
When: September through December 2013
Website: http://www.winefoodfestivalemiliaromagna.com/
Festival della Scienza: Bellezza (Science Festival: Beauty) The theme of this year’s Science Festival is beauty. The festival stages lectures, exhibits, workshops, special events and shows about science with an innovative approach.
Where: Genoa, Liguria
When: 23 October to 3 November 2013
Website: http://www.festivalscienza.eu/
Festa della Salute (Festival of Health) The Festival of Health is dedicated to the Madonna in thanksgiving for her intercession, which ended the plague that struck Venice between 1630 and 1631.
Where: Venice, Veneto
When: 21 November 2013
Website: http://www.comune.venezia.it/
MUSIC
Stagione Sinfonica Orchestra I Pomeriggi Musicali (Musical Afternoons Orchestra Symphonic Season) A series of afternoon and evening concerts featuring the music of Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Vivaldi, Beethoven and more.
Where: Teatro dal Verme, Milan, Lombardy.
When: 24 October 2013 to 24 May 2014
Website: http://ipomeriggi.it/
La Traviata, Aida & Don Carlo Performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s operas at Milan’s famous opera house, La Scala.
Where: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Lombardy
When: 12 October 2013 to 3 January 2014
Website: http://www.teatroallascala.org/
Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra (International Festival of Sacred Music and Art) The most iconic churches in Rome and the Vatican are the venues for the International Festival of Sacred Music and Art, which consists of a series of concerts and recitals staged in the Papal Basilicas of Rome. Among the concert venues are the Baroque Basilica di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio (Basilica of St Ignatius Loyola at Campus Martius), the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (Basilica of St John Lateran), the Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura (Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls) and Rome’s largest Marian church, the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore (Papal Basilica of St Mary Major).
Where: Papal Basilicas of Rome and the Vatican, Rome, Lazio
When: 29 October to 10 November 2013
Website: http://www.festivalmusicaeartesacra.net/en/programm.php
Festival Verdi The annual appointment in Parma for the music of Italy’s most famous opera composer, Giuseppe Verdi. This year the performances will be: ‘Simon Boccanegra’, ‘Falstaff’, ‘I masnadieri’ (The Bandits) and the ‘Messa da Requiem’.
Where: Teatro Regio, Parma and Teatro Giuseppe Verdi di Busseto, Emilia-Romagna
When: 30 September to 31 October 2013
Website: http://www.teatroregioparma.org/
Tosca Performances of Giacomo Puccini’s opera.
Where: Teatro Massimo, Palermo, Sicily
When: 16 to 24 November 2013
Website: www.teatromassimo.it
SPORTS
Firenze Marathon (Florence Marathon) The 26-mile marathon route passes by the Cathedral Square, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio before entering Piazza Santa Croce.
Where: Florence, Tuscany
When: 24 November 2013
Website: http://www.firenzemarathon.it/
Esposizione Internazionale del Ciclo (International Exhibition of the Cycle) Billed as “the biggest event in the world dedicated to two wheels”, this exhibition is dedicated to all aspects of cycling and is the only show that boasts an indoor racing track where you can test your bike. Paired with the Motolive event dedicated to races, exhibitions, driving schools and presentations.
Where: Fiera Milano Rhò, Milan, Lombardy
When: 7 to 10 November 2013
Website: http://www.eicma.it/
Barcolana Sail Race Some 25,000 crew members and 2,000 yachts take part in one of Italy’s most important regattas. The spectacular annual race is the largest sailing event in Europe and the only regatta in the world to set a single start line for so many yachts. The 16-mile nautical route begins at the area between the clubhouse of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano and the Castle of Miramare, and the race sails along a triangular course.
Where: Gulf of Trieste, Trieste, Friuli Venezia-Giulia
When: 13 October 2013
Website: http://www.barcolana.it/
28th Venice Marathon A spectacular route through Veneto, with opportunities to admire fine Palladian villas, arriving at the Venice lagoon. This year the race course passes through San Mark’s Square.
Where: Venice, Veneto
When: 27 October 2013
Website: http://www.venicemarathon.it/
Maratona d’Italia Memorial Enzo Ferrari (Enzo Ferrari Memorial Italian Marathon) The race starts from the Galleria Enzo Ferrari in Maranello. The route passes by the castles and churches of Formigine, Modena, Soliera and Carpi.
Where: From Maranello to Carpi, Emilia-Romagna
When: 13 October 2013
Website: http://www.italianmarathon.it/
