Basilica of Santa Croce: Frescos Up Close

The Basilica of Santa Croce, in Florence, is one of the most beautiful and renowned churches in all of Italy. Built in 1385 the Basilica shows gothic architecture at it’s best and is a great sight from the outside. Inside it offers breathtaking Frescos by Agnolo Gaddi, which are truly unique to this church. The main Frescos are in the Cappella Castellani. The Frescos have a narrative cycle, which visually tells stories of St. Anthony, St. John and St. Nicola. The church is keeping its label of “under restoration” until May of 2012, and oddly enough that is the reason why you should visit the church! Scaffolds are up around the church and guided tours on the scaffolds are being offered to give visitors a better view of Gaddi’s masterpieces. This truly unique opportunity allows visitors to see the Frescos up close and be to explore all of the intricacies. This is a limited offer and an offer that one should not miss out on because these are truly some of the best works of religious art in the whole world, to see them up close is truly a breathtaking sight.

The scaffolds will be open for tours until May of 2012.

For a video on this opportunity, click here.

Couscous Festival-San Vito lo Capo

In San Vito lo Capo, on the Northwestern tip of Sicily, there a couscous festival takes place each September. The festival is solely dedicated to couscous and includes weeklong celebrations in which some of the best couscous in the world is eaten, a truly unique and worthwhile experience. The couscous that is showcased is typical of this part of Sicily with an obvious Arab and North African influence of course but still with it’s own dishes inspired by other Sicilian foods. Also at night free concerts take place under the magnificent night sky. At the festival there will be true cross-cultural experiences due to the amount of people that come from all over the world. You will also be able to experience the lovely San Vito lo Capo and it’s splendid beaches during a truly beautiful time of year.

This year the event will take place starting on SEPTEMBER 20 until SEPTEMBER 25.

“Sagre” in Umbria

Each summer the region of Umbria has various food festivals in different parts of the region known as Sagre.  A Sagra is a traditional local festival with gastronomic stands, entertainment and music. Every week throughout the summer there are multiple Sagre going on and each has a different food theme to it. The themes include Truffle, medieval foods (foods without potatoes or tomatoes), fish, beer and many more.

The Following is a list of some of this season’s remaining Sagre.

July 8-17: Truffle Sagra in Ripa

July 8-10 & 15-17: Trout Sagra in Scheggino

July 14-25: Beer Sagra in Schiavo

July 15-24: Chili Pepper Sagra in Pila

July 21-31: Wild Boar Sagra in Migliano

July 28-August 7: Sheep Sagra in Porano

July 29-August 7: Goose Sagra in Bettona

July 30-August 8: Polenta and Sausage Sagra in Carbonesca

August 5-15: Ice Cream Sagra in Massa Martana

August 12-21: Mushroom Sagra in Pianello

August 18-28: Bilberry and Fruits of the Forest Sagra in Papiano

August 26-September 4: Asparagus Festival in Colombella

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ITALIAN CUISINE AND CULTURE CLICK HERE.

Nerone exhibition at the Coliseum

One of the most renowned, maligned, most talked about and most mysterious protagonists in ancient Roman history, Emperor Nerone, will have a show dedicated to him in Rome’s coliseum during the summer of 2011. Nerone is best known for having been the “crazy” Emperor that “set Rome on fire.” Thousands died because of this deed and it is said that Nerone took advantage of this so he could build his famed residence: Domus Aurea. However modern historians who say he may not have been the mastermind behind the great Roman fire have put this into debate.

The exhibition analyzes Nerone’s life and shows there was much more to it than just that July night when the city went up in flames. Wonderful sketches and primary documents of his life are included which give us a true insight into the life of one of the most controversial leaders of the Roman Empire. There are letters, journal entries and models of his residences which are truly amazing sights.

In this show a man of many faces, that of the “people’s Emperor,” which he was known for up until he became known as a villain for the great Roman fire, gives us a wonderful insight into Roman history while within the most spectacular Roman ruin, the Coliseum.

A show that is definitely worth seeing, it runs until September 18, 2011.

For more information on Rome’s fascinating attractions and sights click here.

Ravello Festival 2011

Every summer the town of Ravello in the Amalfi Coast hosts the Ravello festival, which is a cultural event that includes performances of classical music, cinema, literature and other arts. The birth of this festival dates back to 1953 and has since been a well-known and respected arts event that draws excellent crowds every year. The festival has had musicians and artists from all over the world participate and continue to do so in spectacular fashion. Being that Ravello is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site makes a visit to the festival even more intriguing because one can also explore the breathtaking town.

Since 2003 the festival has always had a theme, and this year it is “il Viaggio”, the Voyage. Visitors to the festival this year will witness performances by the New York ballet, Wynton Marsalis and Michel Tabachnik.

The following are some highlights of this year’s program.

July 8: Philip Glass and Tim Fain

July 9 – August 27: Show of theatre costumes, sketches and scenes

July 9: Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra

July 10: Haochen Zhang

July 21: Wynton Marsalis

July 23: Michel Tabachnik and Martina Serafin

July 30: Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra of Hangzhou

August 7: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

August 14: Teatro alla Scala String Quartet

August 19: New York City Ballet

Festival Puccini

For the past 57 years Torre del Lago (LU) has hosted the Puccini festival. The festival is a tribute to the great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini who resided in Torre del Lago for over thirty years. The event takes place in an outdoor theater that sits about 3000 people. The operas performed are exclusively those written by Puccini. They include some of his most renowned pieces such as la Boheme, Turandot and Madama Butterfly.

The Program for this summer season is as follows.

La Boheme – July: 22,30 August: 12,20,27

Madama Butterfly – August: 6,11,18

Turandot – July: 23,29 August: 7,13,26

Umbria Jazz

Since 1973, the city of Perugia has hosted one of the most prestigious music festivals in all of Italy: Umbria Jazz. Umbria Jazz started off as a small jazz festival for jazz enthusiasts but has since drawn critical acclaim and evolved into a very popular music festival, which has attracted many musicians from different backgrounds to attend. Guests from the past include: Miles Davis, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Elton John and many more. Even those who are not too fond of jazz can find something that they will enjoy especially since the festival lasts ten days and has various musical events going on throughout each day.

This year the event will take place starting on July 8 through July 17. Guests this season will include: classic jazz talent Harbie Hancock, the electrifying Santana, the eternal B.B. King and rock n’ roll talent Prince.

The Following is a list of events that will take place on the Main Stage.

July 8: Caro Emerald, Dee Alexander

July 9: “Tribute to Miles”

July 10: Hiromi the Trio Project, Ahmad Jamal

July 11: Branford Marsalis Duo & Quartet, European Jazz Ensemble

July 12: Santana

July 13: Liza Minnelli

July 14: Sergio Mendes, Gilberto Gil

July 15: Prince

July 16: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, B.B. King

July 17: The Great Latin Jazz Evening

Arena di Verona – Opera Summer Festival 2011

For the past 89 years the Arena of Verona has hosted one of the best Opera festivals, if not the best, in the world. The Arena shows some of the best Opera works with some of the greatest musicians and actors playing the roles. Giuseppe Verdi’s opera’s are some of the most popular during this festival because of the great pride that Italians take in their talented individuals. Giacomo Puccini’s operas are shown and always met with large crowds at the arena as well.

This year there is a very exciting lineup that is sure to meet all tastes. The 6 shows that will be taking place this summer are La Traviata, Aida, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Nabucco, La Bohème, Romeo and Juliet.

La Traviata – July: 2,12,16,21,28 August: 4,11

Aida – June: 26, 30 July: 10,13,17,19,24,26,30 August: 7,14,28,31 September: 3

Il Barbiere di Siviglia – June: 25 July: 1,8,14  ,22,29

Nabucco – July: 9,15,20,23,27 August: 5,12,21,25 September: 1

La Bohème – August: 6,13,19,26,30 September: 2

Romeo and Juliet – August: 20,24,27

OperaFestival is coming back with the new edition of an attractive program in the two outstanding venues: Boboli Gardens (Pitti Palace) in Florence and the Abbey of San Galgano in Chiusdino, Siena.

Opening the opera season at Boboli Gardens on July 14th will be Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA , the most beloved opera in the world (repeats on July 21st, August 3rd Boboli Gardens). LA TRAVIATA will also be performed in San Galgano Abbey (July 30th, August 6th and 13th).

This year the calendar of performances is extremely rich and exciting. The beautiful and poetic Le Cirque Invisible by Victoria Chaplin and Jean Baptiste Thiereè (July 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, Boboli Gardens) featuring two extraordinary artists, known throughout the world, capable of creating poetry, fun, pure joy. And also the exciting Orff’ Carmina Burana (Boboli Gardens, July 12th, Abbey of San Galgano, July 16th and August 5th); Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Boboli Gardens, August 2nd; Abbey of San Galgano, July 29th and August 12th). The great classical ballet with Don Quixote (Boboli Gardens, July 19th) and Swan Lake (Abbey of San Galgano, July 23rd). The surreal comic talent of Antonio Rezza and Flavia Mastrella (Boboli Gardens, July 20th).

CARMINA BURANA di C.Orff July 12th Giardino di Boboli

LA TRAVIATA di G. Verdi July 14th Giardino di Boboli

CARMINA BURANA di C.Orff July 16th Abbazia di San Galgano

DON CHISCIOTTE ballet Petipa, Minkus JUly 19th Giardino di Boboli

ANTONIO REZZA July 20th Giardino di Boboli

LA TRAVIATA di G. Verdi July 21st Giardino di Boboli

IL LAGO DEI CIGNI July 23rd Abbazia di San Galgano

LE CIRQUE INVISIBLE di J. B. Thierrèe e V. Chaplin July 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th Giardino di Boboli

LE STAGIONI July 29th Abbazia di San Galgano

LA TRAVIATA July 30th Abbazia di San Galgano

LE STAGIONI di A. Vivaldi August 2nd Giardino di Boboli

LA TRAVIATA di G. Verdi August 3rd Giardino di Boboli

CARMINA BURANA August 5th Abbazia di San Galgano

LA TRAVIATA August 6th Abbazia di San Galgano

LE STAGIONI August 12th Abbazia di San Galgano

LA TRAVIATA August 13th Abbazia di San Galgano

Italy is land of Art and Culture. Opera is born in Italy in the XVI – XVII century . Opera is an art form in which drama, singing and music are combined in striking performances. From Italy it soon spread through the rest of Europe and now it is appreciated by fans from all over the world.

Some of the world famous Italian Opera writers are Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Puccini and Verdi.

During the winter season the most important and beautiful Opera theatres in Italy will open the doors to opera lovers with extraordinary programs!

LA SCALA in Milan, will open the season with a new Bizet’s Carmen conducted by Daniel Barenboim and produced by Emma Dante. The 2010-2011 La Scala Opera seaon features nineteen Opera and Ballet titles with works from Puccini, Rossini, Verdi, Mascagni, nine new productions, and more than sixty orchestral, singing and chamber concerts.

LA FENICE in Venice, presents and equally great 2011 program, with Puccini’s La Boheme, Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, Verdi’s Rigoletto, La Traviata and Il Trovatore, amongst other great opera and ballet performances.

The newly restored PETRUZZELLI in Bari, or the CARLO FELICE in Genova offer outstanding top level performances and a good occasion to visit these beautiful cities.

Discover Your Italy is happy to buy tickets and organize Italy luxury Tour programs for all visitors that are interested to visit Italy’s most beautiful towns, experience Italian culture and enjoy a unique Opera performance. Contact us for customized requests.