Music and theatre. Events that light up holidays in Florence
From theater to music our handbook must-sees
December is always a busy month, and the theatres of Florence have plenty of shows to offer, including events for children, the greatest fans of Christmas!
PROSE THEATRE
Teatro della Pergola once again stages some great masterpieces, starting with one of the greatest works by Naples’ best-known dramatist, on stage December 27 through January 8: Natale in casa Cupiello, directed by Luigi De Filippo, who plays the main character in a work written by his own uncle. Teatro Niccolini stages a world-famous play, Molière’s The Miser, for December 29 through January 5.
OPERAS AND CONCERTS
Opera di Firenze presents a concert by the Voci Bianche del Maggio children’s choir directed by Maestro Fratini on December 21, followed by a Christmas concert on December 23 in which the choir and orchestra will perform sacred music by Vivaldi, Bach and Carpentier; performances of Mika’s sparkling Pop Symphony are scheduled for December 30 and 31. Following the show of 31 December: a Gala Dinner and midnight, after the toast, a magnificent fireworks display on the forecourt of the Opera of Florence.
Teatro Verdi hosts a Christmas concert by Orchestra Regionale della Toscana conducted by Peter Guth, who will also play the violin, in an evening of Strauss, Suppé, Stolz and Lehár entitled Saluti da Vienna on December 24.
DANCE
Daniele Cipriani’s dance company will perform The Nutcracker at Teatro Verdi on December 22, while the famous Moscow Ballet version of The Nutcracker is scheduled for December 23 at Teatro della Pergola.
MUSICALS
Teatro Verdi presents two intense performances, one packed with passion and the other with irony: Evita, the Musical, featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous music and Tim Rice’s lyrics, starring the bold, talented Malika Ayane, December 6 through 11. From December 30 through January 8 the histrionic Enrico Montesano performs the brilliant Marchese del Grillo, based on Mario Monicelli’s film featuring the unique Alberto Sordi.
FOR THE CHILDREN
Teatro Puccini offers a children’s mini-season for the Christmas holidays. The Snow Queen, composed and directed by Teo Paoli, is scheduled for December 18; Italo dall’Orto’s adaptation of The Little Prince is scheduled for December 26 and 27; and the Wizard of Oz plays from January 6 to 8. On December 17 Teatro Verdi hosts a performance of Howard Blake’s The Snowman.