Teatro Niccolini: the new season
Canadian pianist Hershey Felder's artistic direction brings an international season to Florence with high-caliber stars
The new 2024-2025 season of Florence's Teatro Niccolini , the oldest theater in Florence (built in 1648 next to the Duomo), is full throttle because for the first time, under the direction of Canadian Hershey Felder through his organization “FirenzeOnStage,” the cultural programming takes on an international perspective, hosting artists from every corner of the planet. Between music, debates and evenings inspired by the sophisticated atmosphere of downtown New York, the offerings aim to fill a gap in the Florentine cultural scene, while also addressing the large international community that lives and loves the city.
Teatro Niccolini ph. Filippo Manzini
The goal is to transform the theater into a cultural hub of excellence, bringing prominent personalities from all over the world to the heart of the city: musicians, actors, innovators, directors and leaders from different disciplines. Hershey Felder introduces a new approach to the performing arts experience at Teatro Niccolini, where the stars are not limited to performance but interact directly with the audience, creating a dialogue that engages the audience in the expressive power of words and music.
Hershey Felder
The proposed calendar of events is extraordinarily rich and varied:
JEFF GOLDBLUM
The official opening of the 376th season in September featured renowned actor and musician Jeff Goldblum (who has been dividing his life between the U.S. and Florence for the past few months) with two extraordinary jazz concerts accompanied by his ensemble “The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.”
PATRICK DUFFY
On November 11 it was the turn of the celebrated Broadway production Love Letters, on stage Patrick Duffy, known for his role as Bobby in the series Dallas.
HELEN MIRREN AND MICHAIL BARYŠNIKOV
Among the most anticipated events is the Dec. 18 celebration of the 40th anniversary of the film White Nights (The Sun at Midnight), with a screening of the film and the participation of the likes of Helen Mirren and Michail Baryšnikov, along with director Taylor Hackford.
SWINGLE SINGERS
Music, however, remains the undisputed queen of evenings at the Niccolini, with live concerts and a play including on Dec. 12 and 13 that of world-renowned violinist Philippe Quint in a tribute performance to Raffaele Paganini accompanied on piano by Felder himself; the London-based Swingle Singers on Dec. 14, specialists in a cappella polyphony from classical to pop. On Jan. 2, the concert in collaboration with Terre di Siena, in memory of Antonio Lysy with the Chamber Music Extravaganza (Carnival of the Animals, Schubert, Rossini, Piazzolla).
ALESSIO BAX
On New Year's Eve, pianist Alessio Bax brings to life a special evening of champagne and fine music, joined by celebrated virtuosos of stringed instruments to celebrate the masterpieces of classical music in an unforgettable atmosphere.