May is special in Naples

by Claudia Pozin
Director of Development – Southwest Florida
Classical South Florida – 88.7

Claudia Pozin
Director of Development – Southwest Florida
Classical South Florida – 88.7

There is good reason to “stay in May” and enjoy an incredible festival. Since 2010 the mission of ArtsNaples World Festival has been to celebrate the cultural arts of a specific country; and this year the featured country is Italy. For ten days, May 1-9, you have a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural arts of Italy. The celebrations encompass opera, chamber music, fashion, visual arts, photography, food – in venues celebrating the wonderful world of the arts in Naples. The festival has attracted over 20,000 people to its events and has proven that it is definitely worth spending time in Naples in May.

The schedule for ArtsNaples provides opportunities for everyone – at multiple venues and multiple price points – so explore the following schedule for the events that you don’t want to miss. You can find the details of each event at ArtsNaples.org.

The festival will open on May 1 with a Italian Carnevale at the Club at Olde Cypresss – you can travel to Italy without ever leaving Florida – so it is time to don your masks and costumes and enjoy the Carnevale.

If you have not had the opportunity to see Verdi’s Nabucco – this is your chance – being performed by Opera Naples on May 2 at North Naples United Methodist Church.
According to Verdi – this is the opera where his artistic career began; and he further stated that he believed that Nabucco was born under a lucky star. This opera was first performed in Milan at LaScala on March 9, 1842. The best known number from the opera is the “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” or Va,pensier,sull’ali dorate – translated – “Fly, thought, on golden wings”. This chorus is many times given as an encore in many opera houses. The unique staging for this production will provide you with a wonderful experience.

Another unique experience during the Festival is the opportunity to hear a Fazioli piano – hmmm – have not heard of it-well it is manufactured in Sacile, Italy; and was
designed by Paolo Fazioli an engineer and pianist. The company was founded in 1981, with an initial offering of four models. In 1984 the demand for an instrument with
greater power for concert halls brought about the model F308, the longest grand piano on the market today. The performances that will feature this extraordinary instrument will be held at the von Liebig Center downtown Naples – beginning on May 3 at 2 p.m.

Concerts not your thing – then look to attending a fashion event or cooking demonstration –fashion is featured on May 3 at the Naples Botanical Gardens with pieces designed by Maria Pia Malerba. ArtsNaples brings the excitement of fashion week to Naples. But if you love Italian cooking – you also can enjoy cooking demonstrations on two different days in two different venues; both will feature a demonstration and lunch served with wine. The first is on May 8 at Tulia Osteria and the second on May 9 at Barbatella’s.

But let us not forget to also find the ways that you can celebrate all that is America at the end of the month with Memorial Day –concerts and parades around our area will
celebrate and remind us that our freedom has not been free.

A very special concert celebration will be held on the campus of the Moorings at the Bower Chapel on May 23, at 11 a.m – titled simply “A Patriotic Celebration”.

I also invite you to look forward to another Patriot Celebration – July 4 – this year you can celebration this with Classical South Florida aboard the Naples Princess. Look
for more information on this cruise in the pages of Life in Naples and make your reservation to join us for music, food and splendid fireworks.
Celebrate all of the time with Classical South Florida as you enjoy your private concert hall on 88.7FM.