As a testament to the madness and majesty of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon,” Pink Floyd Legend and Orchestra della Toscana will perform the 1973 concept album alongside the English rock band’s greatest hits at the Medici Park in Pratolino on Wednesday, July 17. The concert, which will begin at 9:15 p.m., will be the first event of the Musart Festival Firenze 2024.
The album, now 51 years old, begins with a heartbeat in its first song, “Speak to Me.” Although there are no lyrics, the melody is flooded with sounds synonymous with insanity: a clock ticking, a cash register, snippets of conversation, and a piercing scream that flows into the next song, “Breathe (In The Air).” The latter, along with the songs “Money,” “Time” and “Brain Damage” are some of the most popular songs on the album, exploring enduring themes like life and death, agining, the fragility of time and mental illness.
In a coalescence of talent, special effects and greenery, Legend will pay homage to Pink Floyd through “an elaborate light show, with psychedelic soundscapes and memorable songs [that] will be enhanced by the presence of [Orchestra Della Toscana] and the magical setting of Tuscany’s largest landscape park, listed as a UNESCO Heritage World Site,” according to the Florentine orchestra’s website.
Legend, originating in 2005, consists of Fabio Castaldi on vocals and bass, Alessandro Errichetti on vocals and guitar, Simone Temporali on vocals and the keyboard, Emanuele Esposito on the drums, Maurizio Leoni on solo saxophone, and Paolo Angioi on the guitar, bass and vocals. Giorgia Zaccagni, Claudia Marss and Daphne Nisi round out the Italian ensemble of nine as backing vocals. The orchestra, which will bring 20 more elements to the show, is conducted and arranged by Maestro Giovanni Cernicchiaro.
Having been held at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata for the previous eight years, Musart Firenze 2024’s move to Medici Park marks the first migration of the festival in almost a decade. Medici Park, also known as Pratolino Park or Parco Mediceo di Pratolino, is dedicated to celebrating the Medicis, just as the artists are dedicated to celebrating Pink Floyd. Located a handful of kilometers from Florence’s city center, the park was designed to be the venue of a Medici marriage and is now preserved as the host of diverse flora and fauna — including rare trees like white pines and giant oaks — in addition to a number of art pieces — such as Giambologna’s sculpture, the “Giant of the Apennines.”
Organizers recommend using public transportation to reach the park. The concert is accessible via bus 25 or the SITA from Florence’s train station, and free shuttles will ensure connection between the nearby Vaglia Station and the park before and after the concert. The event also offers parking in temporary lots, where spaces can be reserved for 5 euros per car and 3 euros per motorbike.Tickets to the inaugural show are available on the festival’s website, on TicketOne and at Box Office Toscana for 30 to 50 euros depending on seating choice. The pricier Gold Package includes first sector tickets, catering with a buffet and guided tours of the Medici Park before and after the show. More information can be found on the ORT website. (Kyla Pehr)
