The lush hills of southern Tuscany, rich history and architecture and classical music come together at Badia a Passignano for this year’s concert series, spanning the second half of July and early August.
The music, performed by the Orchestra della Toscana (ORT), will fill the warm air of Tuscany’s summer nights. The prominent orchestra was founded in the 1980s, holds great distinction amongst orchestras in Italy.
The Badia a Passignano (Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa) is a hamlet situated in southern Tuscany. Built in 1080, the Passignano Abbey and the Church of St. Michael the Archangel are part of the complex. The abbey was built in 1080 and is home to the village Poggio al Vento and the Sant’Andrea church. The abbey’s abundance of hills, olive trees and vines only add to the experience of a visit, further enriched by viewing the Last Supper fresco created by Renaissance artist Domenico Ghirlandaio in 1476 in the monastic dining room.
The church dates back to the 16th century and served as a spot for worship ever since. It contains artwork which capture its religious, cultural and historical prominence in three chapels frescoed by Domenico Cresti, Alessandro Allori, Benedetto Veli and Filippo Filippelli.
In the abbey’s majestic setting, the ORT will perform the Franz Schubert’s Octet in F major D 803 on Saturday, July 15. The performance will take place at 9:15 pm and will spotlight the vibrant and graceful tunes of Austrian composer, Schubert.
Another concert is scheduled for 9:15 pm on Wednesday, July 26. Renowned musician Johann Sebastian Bach’s music will be performed by the brass and percussion ensemble of ORT. The evening’s jazz-style performance is arranged by Demetrio Bonvecchio, who is a trombone player, arranger, orchestrator and composer.
The symphonies of ORT will take center stage for the final installment of the summer concert series at 9:15 pm on Saturday, Aug. 5. The orchestra will perform music by the German composers, Johannes Brahms and Ludwig van Beethoven. Director Riccardo Bisatti will lead the orchestra and violinist Benjamin Gatuzz through the program of Brahms’ violin and orchestra op. 77 and Beethoven’s Symphony n.5 op.67.
Full-price tickets are €15 and reduced tickets are €5. Tickets are available for purchase ahead of time and at the door. For more information or to purchase ahead of time, contact the event at 320 6008278 and info@amicidellamusicatavarnelle.it. (Camila Fowler)
