In’33, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino was the first Italian music festival that was founded by Vittorio Gui who was an Italian conductor and composer. After the initial success of the festival, it then became a biennial event in’37. It was not until after’37 that it became an annual event. However, this was not the case during World War II.
Nowadays an annual opera festival event aims at presenting contemporary and forgotten operas for opera lovers in visually dramatic productions. When it comes to music, it has always played an important role in the life of Florence, so much so that the very first operas that were performed in Florence were at the end of the sixteenth century. Italy’s love of operas and ballet has stemmed from a deep history and appreciation of the art.
Nowadays the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, which is at the centre of musical life, is located at the Teatro Comunale, which seats up to 2003 people. Designed in’62 by Telemaco Bonaiuti, the Teatro Comunale is an open arena that is made up of large stalls, as well as two wide semi-circular galleries that illustrate the impression of an amphitheatre. When the first opera at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino was presented, opera lovers were treated to Verdi’s early Nabucco. Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian romantic composer mainly of opera in the’th century. As an influential composer of his time, he frequently performed in opera houses around the world.
Gaining international status since it first began; the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of the most important Italian opera festivals around the world that see thousands of visitors every year. With productions that are visually dramatic, the opera festival is a haven for opera lovers who enjoy the basic cultural choices with some of the greatest conductors. Some of the conductors at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival include Vittorio Gui, the founder of the festival, as well as Dimitri Mitropoulos, Wilhelm Furtwngler, Bruno Walter, Zubin Mehta, von Karajan and Muti. Zubin Mehta is also the current conductor, while Paolo Arc is the present Artistic Director of the festival.
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino 2010 program is set to include a banquet of ballet and opera productions. The opera performances include L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers) by Gioachino Rossini, The Cunning Little Vixen by Leo Jancek, Il campanello (The Night Bell) by Gaetano Donizetti and Adriana Lecouvreur, based on the French actress Adrienne Lecouvreue (1692-1730) by Francesco Cilea. The ballet performances that are set to bring another year of success are the revered Don Quixote and Carmen Suite.
In’33, Vittorio Gui established the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, which has grown as an international success for opera lovers throughout the world. Complete with four operas, concerts, ballets and exhibitions, Italy’s oldest opera festival takes place during the months of April, May and June. However, for those who cannot make it during those months will be pleased to know that the activity of the festival is present throughout the year.
Complete with concerts, ballets and the opera season, the Boboli Gardens is where you can find additional opera delights for opera lovers throughout the year.
Tickets for the 2009-2010 season of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival are on sale now.
For more information on hotels in the area please visit Hotel Florence near Maggio Musicale and click here for more information on Festivals in Florence Italy
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