2012 CALENDAR OF ITALIAN EVENTS
Major events include: special celebrations, festivals and events, art exhibitions, sport events, historical
commemorations, the most popular Carnivals, Easter celebrations, new museums and art spaces….
ART EXIBITIONS
BELLOTTO, THE CANALETTO OF THE EUROPEAN COURTS
Palazzo Sarcinelli, Conegliano Veneto (Treviso)
Until 15 April 2012
www.bellottoconegliano.it
The magnificent 16th century Palazzo Sarcinelli in Conegliano Veneto hosts this
unique exhibition dedicated to Bernardo Bellotto (1721 – 1780) one of the masters of the “vedutismo veneziano” and nephew of Canaletto. On show are 40 masterpieces that show the creative evolution of the Venetian painter marking the fundamental stages of his career with paintings of Venice, but also of Florence, Lucca, Rome, Milan, Turin, Verona and also of European cities such as Dresden, Vienna, Monaco and Warsaw.
THE BORGHESE FAMILY AND THE ART OF ANTIQUITY
Galleria Borghese, Rome
Until 9 April 2012
www.galleriaborghese.it
For the first time this exhibition brings back to their original place masterpieces collected by the Borghese family which were taken to Paris by Napoleon and that form part of the antiquities section at the Louvre Museum.
VAN GOGH AND GAUGUIN’S JOURNEY
Palazzo Ducale, Genoa
Until 15th April 2012
www.palazzoducale.genova.it
This extraordinary exhibition consists of 80 masterpieces of 19th and 20th century European and American paintings from museums worldwide. These Van Gogh inspired pieces are on display in the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa along with Gauguin’s painting “Where do we come from?..”
GUERCINO, 1591-1666. MASTERPIECES FROM CENTO TO ROME
Palazzo Barberini, Rome
Until 29 April 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/guercino-1591-1666-capolavori-da-cento-a-roma
The major exhibition dedicated to Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, one of the most important protagonists in 17th century Italy, inaugurates the new exhibition space of Palazzo Barberini. Guercino was born in Cento in 1591 and lived in Rome between 1621 and 1623. The curators' choice to create the exhibition with works held in public and private collections from Rome and Cento, allows one to admire an extraordinary body of paintings in the renovated setting of Palazzo Barberini, with the opportunity to gain an overview of the master from Emilia: 50 masterpieces covering the entire span of his long artistic career which showcases all of his exuberant talent.
STEVE McCURRY PHOTOGRAPHY
MACRO, Rome
Until 29 April 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/steve-mc-curry
This is a major exhibition of Steve McCurry's photography. The show will feature over 200 photographs taken over the course of his extraordinary 30 year career as journalist and photographer. Most of the images are from his archives, but many are the fruit of recent photoshoots and were as of yet unpublished. A special section will feature shots of Italy to comemorate the country's 150th anniversary - the photographs are the fruit of McCurry's travels throughout the Italian peninsula preparing for this show over the past year.
THE GUGGENHEIM. THE AMERICAN AVANT-GARDE 1945-1980
Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome
7 February - 6 May , 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/the-guggenheim-the-american-avant-garde-1945-1980
The exhibition, curated by Susan Davidson and Lauren Hinkson, will provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a sweeping visual overview of the way the main trends in American art developed after World War II, offering a retrospective of masterpieces from the superb Guggenheim collections relating to the themes of Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Post-Minimalism, Conceptual Art and Photorealism.
THE PRINCES’ TREASURES, RUBENS, BRUEGHEL, REMBRANDT, CRANACH, HAYEZ, CANALETTO……
Fortress of Bard, Val D’Aosta
Until 31 May 2012
www.fortedibard.it
During this winter season the exhibition rooms of the Fortress of Bard are hosting a selection of fine art masterpieces. Erected at the feet of the Aosta Valley during the first half of the 19th Century, the imposing fortress has become a leading cultural centre. The fortress will host an exhibition of works from The Prince’s Treasures - Rubens, Brueghel, Rembrandt, Cranach, Hayez and Canaletto - Masterpieces from the Prince of Lichtenstein’s Art Collection.
FROM VERMEER TO KANDISKY
Castel Sismondo, Rimini
23 January – 3 June 2012
http://www.lineadombra.it/en/da-vermeer-a-kandinsky/the-exhibition
The exhibition has been organized by highlighting the centuries of greatest splendour of each of the main countries that have contributed most to the history of art. And within each century, especially for Italy, the most representative region for the period in question has been selected. For example, 18th-century Italy will be represented by Venetian painting from Canaletto to Guardi, Tiepolo and Bellotto. And the works of these artists selected for the exhibition enable us to go right to the heart of their world. So while we have Tuscany and the Veneto for the 16th century, Caravaggio and his disciples has been chosen for the 17th century, again simply as an example. In this way the exhibition will offer an overall view of some of the great figures who have left landmarks in art in the last five centuries both in Europe and America.
TINTORETTO
Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome
24 February – 17 June 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/tintoretto
Jacopo Robusti (or Canal) is better known as Tintoretto (1519-1594. This exhibition, curated by Giovanni Morello e Vittorio Sgarbi, is focused on the three main themes that distinguish Tintoretto's work: religion, mythology and portraiture, will be divided into sections comprising a handful of carefully selected and unquestioned masterpieces, beginning and ending with his two self-portraits of himself as a young man, from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and as an old man, from the Louvre.
SALVADOR DALI’
Complesso del Vittoriano
10 March – 30 June 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/salvador-dali
The Salvador Dalì’s exhibition investigates the artist's complex personality and multifaceted genius. Organised together with the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation the show adopts a novel approach, giving insight into some aspects of Salvador Dalí which have not been shown before. Light will be shed on an aspect that has so far been ignored by exhibitions and research into Dalí, which is his relationship with Italy. The exhibition will focus on a selection of outstanding paintings, around which a series of other items, including objects, illustrations, and theatre and cinema costumes, will examine every aspect of the Spanish painter's activities. Documents, photographs, drawings, letters, projects, and objects will all document his journeys through Italy, and his inspirational encounters, like those with Anna Magnani and Luchino Visconti.
DIVISIONISM, THE LIGHT OF THE MODERN
Palazzo Roverella, Rovigo (Veneto)
25 Feb- 24 Jun 2012
www.palazzoroverella.com
Divisionism was the Italian answer to the French Neo Impressionism between 1890 and the end of the First World War which co-existed alongside the works of Signac and Seraut. Instead of “points” the Divisionists used strokes of colours often one on top of the other to obtain the desired effects of light. The main protagonist was in fact the “light” used to express a new form of emotion, freedom, spiritualism and hope for the future. Works from: Segantini, Pellizza, Balla, Boccioni and many more.
AMERICANS IN FLORENCE: SARGENT AND THE AMERICAN IMPRESSIONISTS
Palazzo Strozzi, Florence
3 Mar- 15 Jul 2012
www.palazzostrozzi.org
The exhibition explores the American impressionists' relationship with Italy, and with Florence in particular, in the decades spanning the close of the 19th and dawn of the 20th centuries. There was a marked upswing in the number of American artists travelling to Europe after the Civil War ended in 1865, and the trend continued on into the early 20th century. For the first time since recent exhibitions in France and England explored these American artists' relationship with those two countries, this exhibition will be hosting the work of American painters who embraced the artistic vocabulary of Impressionism and spent time in Italy.
Lux in arcana. The Vatican Archive revealed
Capitoline Museum, Rome
1 Mar – 9 Sept 2012
www.museicapitolini.org
A hundred original and extremely precious documents dating from the 8th century BC to the 20th century of the Vatican Secret Archive.
BYZANTIUM. THE NEW ROME
Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome
1 October 2012– 31 January 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/byzantium-the-new-rome
The exhibition aims to offer a complete image of the art and culture of Constantinople and its empire. A wellconstructed chronological itinerary will present visitors with a collection of great masterpieces against the backdrop of historical events concerning the imperial dynasties that succeeded to the throne of the new Rome, from its foundation to its fall (330-1453). Within the chronological "story" a monographic argument will also be focused on a series of key artworks to highlighting the various sacred and profane themes: power and the court; the Church; the cult of images; Byzantium and the classics; teaching, culture, libraries; the last Byzantines: Bessarion, Italy, Europe.
GUTTUSO, 1912-2012
Complesso del Vittoriano, Rome
5 October 2012 – 3 February 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/guttuso-1912-2012
The city of Rome, where Renato Guttuso lived for fifty years, celebrates the Artist with a major exhibition in the occasion of the Centenary of his birth.With 100 works by Guttuso the exhibition shows the whole creative path of the Sicilian painter artistic activity. Through his paintings Guttuso shows all deep, intense, social, political and religious aspects of this variegated world: and we finally discover a different and vibrant idea of Rome with Colosseo, Tetti di via Leonina and the mysterious presence of the roman gardens of the Visita della Sera .
PAUL KLEE AND ITALY
Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Rome
9 October 2012 – 27 January 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/paul-klee-e-litalia
Paul Klee, though of German citizenship and education, loved the South like many other artists from Northern Europe did. Italy, in particular, played a decisive role in his life and his art. Mediterranean, therefore, became not only a destination for his vacations, but also an inspiration source for his artistic turning points and theoretical reflections The artist’s many travels to Italy are all to be studied in depth. Klee’s relationship with Italy has not been the object of a systematic analysis yet. This is exactly what this exhibition curated by Tulliola Sparagni and Mariastella Margozzi intends to carry out.
THE DAYS OF ROME. THE AGE OF BALANCE
Musei Capitolini, Rome
1 October 2012 – 31 March 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/i-giorni-di-roma-let-dellequilibrio
Third event of the "The Days of Rome" series, the exhibition will explore the artistic production of the "golden age" of Roman art coinciding with the principalities of Trajan (98-117 AD) and Hadrian (117-138 AD), offering a representative overview of the works produced during those forty years, a period of artistic and political ferment, with a balance in the relationship among the Emperors, the Senate and the Army.
FROM MACCHIAIOLI TO GIUSEPPE PELLIZZA DA VOLPEDO
Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
10 October 2012 – 27 January 2013
www.chiostrodelbramante.it
The exhibition From Macchiaioli to Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, curated by Emanuela Angiuli, intends to revisit the world of everyday experience in the nature of the Italian countryside, through the artists who, in the second half of 1800 and until the first decades of 1900, were able to capture the emotional and evocative spirit of the little middle class of the Italian province. Starting from the women, the observation inevitably invades not only the historical fields, but also the literary and social fields. The painting becomes the register of knowledge of local customs and traditions through various languages that interferes with daily life and show the quality of a complex and varied cultural territory.
Carlo Carra’ 1881-1966
Fondazione Ferrero, Alba (Cuneo)
27 October 2012 – 27 January 2013
This is a major retrospective exhibition on one of the most famous Italian artists of the 20th century, Carlo Carra’. The exhibition gathers Carra’ major works from museums worldwide and private collections and intends to take the visitors through the various stages of Carra’s development: Divisionism, Futurism, Metaphysical Painting, Mythical Realism, still life, landscapes and more.
NEW MUSEUMS AND ART SPACES/CITY CARDS
RE-OPENING OF THE POPE ALESSANDRO VII GALLERY AT PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE
The Pope Alessandro VII gallery occupies the left wing of the Palazzo del Quirinale (The Italian President residence) in Rome which dates back to the 17th century and was designed by Pietro da Cortona. The Pope commissioned the gallery of almost 700 sqm with big windows giving on the suggestive centre of Rome and decorated with scenes of the peaceful countryside and of the Old Testament. The gallery had been closed since Napoleon occupied the Palazzo and destined the gallery as apartment of Maria Luigia, it has now re-opened after extensive restoration work for visitors to admire the impressive decoration and painting.
RE-OPENING OF THE GALLERIA D’ARTE MODERNA IN ROME (GNAM)
The Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (National Modern Art Gallery) built in 1925 in Via Francesco Crispi, and temporarily closed from 2003, has now re-opened with its important collection of modern art that offers a detailed picture of art and culture in Rome form the last quarter of the 19th century until after World War II, through a rich exhibition of more than 3000 paintings, sculptures and graphic arts. The artists featuring are among others: De Chirico, Guttuso, Carra’, Balla, Morandi, Sironi and Manzu’.
NEW MUSEUM IN MILAN – PIAZZA SCALA
A new museum has opened in Milan, the rooms of the eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings, Palazzo Anguissola Antona Traversi and Palazzo Brentani are now home to approximately two hundred works from the 1800s – including the late eighteenth century bas-reliefs by Antonio Canova and early twentieth century masterpieces by Umberto Boccioni – of which 135 are from the Fondazione Cariplo collection and 62 from the Intesa Sanpaolo collection. The exhibits offers a fascinating journey through one century of Italian art, with masters such as Antonio Canova, Francesco Hayez, Gerolamo Induno, Angelo Inganni, Federico Zandomeneghi, Giovanni Boldini, Telemaco Signorini, Giovanni Segantini, Angelo Morbelli, Gaetano Previati, Giulio Aristide Sartorio and Umberto Boccioni.
www.gallerieditalia.com
NEW CASA FERRARI MUSEUM IN MODENA, to open on 10 March 2012
The museum complex started from the restoration of the house in which Enzo Ferrrari was born in Modena in 1898, and that has preserved through the years both the living quarters and the workshop. To this has been added a new building in the form of the now famous yellow aluminium “bonnet” whose colour is the symbol of the city of Modena and the colour chosen by Enzo Ferrari as the background to the Prancing Horse, the trademark of the company that bears his name. In his birthplace there is a permanent multimedia display which retraces the most important events in Ferrari’s life, a “mover of men”, who believed that “if you can dream it you can do it”, who saw the car as a work of art and considered racing as an experimental and testing ground for the continuous development and improvement of technology and the reaching of perfection. The stars of the exhibition in the new gallery will, on the other hand, be the cars themselves; representatives of the great Italian names from the most prestigious collections and museums, exhibited as works of arts. The vehicles will be surrounded by curvilinear showcases containing historic documents, objects and memorabilia, with the contribution of original audio-visual footage that reconstructs the identity of Motor Valley of Emilia Romagna, that with time acquired international importance.
The opening date is 10 March 2012
www.museocasaenzoferrari.it
RESTORED BRIDGE OF SIGHS IN VENICE
The scaffoldings have come down after a three-year restoration work at the world famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice and it can now be admired in its full glory. The bridge was built to connect the old prison to the interrogations rooms in the Doge’s Palace and was given its name by Lord Byron in the 19th century who suggested that the prisoners would sigh while crossing the bridge and admiring Venice after a long period of imprisonment.
NEW! OMNIA VATICAN & ROME CARD
This new card is the result of a collaborative agreement between Roma Capitale and Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi. This unique portfolio of services allows visitors in just a few days to discover the religious and cultural heritage of the Eternal City. The OMNIA Vatican & Rome includes visits to historically and spiritually significant basilicas and monuments and the convenient use of the Roma Cristiana Open Buses, as well as the city’s public transportation system. The OMNIA Vatican & Rome kit that costs € 85,00 adults, € 55,00 children from 6 to 12 years and free for children up to 6 years, allows visitors to experience the best of Rome and the Vatican in three days.
For more information visit http://www.omniavaticanrome.org
ONE TICKET FOR THE MILAN OF LEONARDO
It is now possible to purchase just one ticket to cover entry to “Leonardo’s Last Supper” in the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, the Bramante’s vestry (a splendid example of Renaissance art hosting paintings by Leonardo, Botticelli, Caravaggio among others) and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, a collection of original Leonardo’s Atlantic Code sketches. Price for all three venues is €26
More info at: www.ambrosiana.it
FESTIVALS AND OTHER CULTURAL EVENTS
VERONA IN LOVE
Verona – 11-14 February 2012
www.veronainlove.it
Verona is the town where the romance of Romeo and Juliet unfolded. Verona in Love, held around Valentine's Day, sees red, heart-shaped lanterns illuminating the streets. Free concerts with a romantic theme take place on Piazza dei Signori Square.
STRESA FESTIVAL
Stresa – June - September 2012
www.stresafestival.eu
Stresa Festival opens its doors to the public one more time with three themed events, held in a number of venues on different dates.
ARENA DI VERONA
Verona – June 22nd / September 2nd 2012
www.arena.it
This will be the 90th edition of the International Opera Festival. The 2012 calendar offers six operas: Tosca, Aida, Turandot, Romeo et Juliet, Carmen, Don Giovanni which welcomes once again artists and public in its magnificent setting.
RAVELLO CONCERTS, in Ravello, Amalfi Coast
Villa Rufolo, Ravello – April 4th / October 31st 2012
www.ravelloarts.org
In Spring and Autumn, far from the Summer’s crowds, Ravello becomes the favorite destination for those who love the silence of its Villas and its medieval churches. In that time, an audience of music lovers meet every year to listen to the concerts held in the gardens and the rooms of Villa Rufolo, famous for having inspired Wagner for the setting of his Parsifal.
BOLZANO DANZA
Bolzano – 16-28 July 2012
www.tanzbozen.it
The charming setting of Castel Firmiano hosts the Festival Bolzano Danza. The calendar includes opening shows and side events alike.
58th PUCCINI FESTIVAL
Torre del Lago – July 20th / August 24th 2012
www.puccinifestival.it
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. Operas on show in 2012 are: Tosca, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly among others.
MAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINO
Teatro Comunale – Florence – May 4th / June 10th 2012
www.maggiofiorentino.com
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
ROSSINI OPERA FESTIVAL
Pesaro, 10th August / 23rd August 2012
www.rossinioperafestival.it
This festival is entirely dedicated to the music and operas of Goacchino Rossini, who was born in the Le Marche city of Pesaro. This year will be the 33rd edition of the festival and two new productions will be presented: “Ciro in Babilonia” and “Il Signor Bruschino”, “Viaggio a Reims”, “Tancredi” “ Matilde di Shabran”.
SFERISTERIO OPERA FESTIVAL
Macerata August 2012 (programme tbc)
www.sferisterio.it
The Opera Festival is hosted almost entirely in the magnificent theatre-shaped Sferisterio, unique in its architectural genre. Designed in 1823 by architect Ireneo Aleandri, it derives its name and its halfcircumference shaped plan from the name of the game played inside: the “armband ball” or Pallone col bracciale.
MUSICA RIVA FESTIVAL
Riva del Garda (TN) – July /August 2012 (programme tbc)
www.musicarivafestival.com
This is a music festival of the highest level entertaining the audience with performances and events and which represent a fundamental meeting point for young musicians from around the world. The event puts in the spotlight artists of diverse origins from classical music to dance and includes a competition dedicated to the musician Riccardo Zandonai.
VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
Venice, Sept 2012 (programme tbc)
www.labiennale.org
Venice will hosts the 68th Edition of this film festiv
