Opening set of the Festival at Villa Panna
The historic home of Acqua Panna unifying music and tradition
The first concert of the “MelodiadelVino” Festival will take place on June 26th in the beautiful Villa Panna in Scarperia, just outside Florence. The villa boasts a legendary past, its restoration having been commissioned to the prominent architect Michelozzi at the request of the Medici family. The once rustic country house was thus transformed into a magnificent villa. The villa took its name from the shade of the external walls; a light and delicate cream “panna”.
The estate lies at the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by flourishing parks and gardens and comprising an oratory, which enhances the magical atmosphere. The large interior halls of the property are decorated with ornaments and statues, evoking halcyon days, and over the course of history the function of the villa has varied. In the 19th century it was purchased by Marquis Torrigiani who used the nearby natural spring for mineral water. Today the villa is famous as the home of the water plants of the mineral water Acqua Panna, and to celebrate its past, the musical performance will follow a water theme. Visit the website of Villa Panna.
Music and flavor at Villa Malaspina in Caniparola-Fosdinovo
Offering the stage for the second night of the Festival
Caniparola is a delightful little town in the province of Massa-Carrara, where in 1724, Marquis Gabriele Malaspina decided to build his own villa, surrounded by the natural artistic beauty of the countryside. The property was constructed on the spot where once stood a tower, built by the Bishops of Luni, and where a previous home for the Malaspina family had also been built. An extensive park surrounds the splendid villa and the unspoilt views are idyllic; the perfect location to stage the captivating concert on June 28th as part of the Festival. The noble and majestic property has three floors, each displaying valuable works of art. On the first floor, for example, a spacious drawing room is decorated with frescoes by the Piacenza born painter, Antonio Contestabile, who worked for Marquis Malaspina. Another noteworthy fresco decorates a similar room, the work of the artist Francesco Natali from Cremona, which he painted in 1728. The villa has recently been renovated and exudes a wonderful atmosphere, so characteristic of the Lunigiana landscape. Visit the website of Villa Malaspina.
Tenuta Rocca di Frassinello: classical music and local wine
On June 30th Tenuta turns “theater” with the “Melodia del Vino” Festival
Rocca di Frassinello sits amidst an idyllic landscape, rich with history, culture and tradition. The project was initiated by a collaboration between two leading names in the wine industry, when the Castellare di Castellina wine estate widened its horizons for the first time towards the international scene, entering a joint venture with French producer Domaines Baron de Rothschild-Lafite. The Rocca di Frassinello winery was conceptualized by Renzo Piano, one of the world’s top architects. His mark ensured the success of the project where elegance and harmony feature strongly without detracting from the functional aspects of the winery. The barique cellar is a perfect example of the combination of spirit and practicality where the sun’s rays illuminate the interior space from above, creating the sense of a real theater. The structure is also noted for having adopted an Eco-friendly philosophy with regard to the wine production itself. The atmosphere of the cellar, the surrounding nature and the respect for the environment make Rocca di Frassinello an ideal place to host a enchanting musical evening of the “MelodiadelVino” Festival. This emotional setting will indeed be the scene for the performance of violinist Sayaka Shoji, together with pianist Marc Laforet. Visit the website of Tenuta Rocca di Frassinello.
The fourth evening of the Festival at the Tenuta Rocca di Montemassi
The countryside of Maremma hosts concerts and performances on July 3rd
One of the most breathtaking locations hosting the Festival this year is the Tenuta Rocca di Montemassi in the heart of Maremma. The property is situated near the village of Roccastrada in the province of Grosseto, immersed in the characteristic Tuscan countryside; to one side the olive covered hillside exudes intense perfume and to the other lies the Mediterranean coast, radiating color and its unique aroma. This area has received the classification DOC Montereggio and is hence known specifically for the production of high quality wines. The unique character of the Tenuta Rocca di Montemassi is born from an inherent tradition and history of wine; the same building also houses the Museum of Rural Culture. The idea of the museum came from Gianni and Silvana Zonin as a means to increase appreciation of the area of Maremma, to share the antique traditions of the land with the younger generation, to preserve and maintain their value. The Tenuta Rocca di Montemassi is therefore a natural stage to host the event of the Festival scheduled for July 3rd . Visit the website of the Tenuta Rocca di Montemassi.
Divine wine and elegant music at Castello Banfi
The Festival comes to Montalcino on July 5th
The famous golden, rural landscapes to the south of Siena known as the “terre di Siena” offer some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, which on July 5th 2012 will host the “MelodiadelVino” Festival, with a cello recital from Russian Maestro Alexandre Kniazev. The location for the event will be the stunning Castello Banfi, where we will see the harmony of music touching the traditions of viticulture. Sitting between the rivers of Orcia and Ombrone the Banfi estate extends over the southern slopes of Montalcino with around 3,000 hectares of land, over 850 of which are dedicated to highly specialized vines, testament to a unique heritage and history of wine production. Respect for the use of the land and the desire to enhance its properties have always inspired Banfi to create wines of great character, noted for their strong affinity with the soil. The winery is also very tuned in to the concept of the union between the land, wine and culture, which it develops by arranging a number of events. Inside the castle some of the rooms also house the Museo del Vino e del Vetro (Museum of Wine and Glass) where the largest private collection of glass works from Imperial Rome is on display, alongside other rare pieces from different historical periods up to present times. Visit the website of Castello Banfi
PETRA: a perfect union of the traditional and the modern
Closing performance of the “MelodiadelVino” Festival at Suvereto on July 7th
In the spellbinding region of Suvereto, in the province of Livorno, PETRA rises from the land, this summer providing the backdrop for events of the “MelodiadelVino” Festival. The wine estate spans across three hundred hectares of vineyards, woodland and olive groves and here we see an example of agricultural traditions fusing with innovation and the strive towards improvement. The specific conditions of the land make this an exceptional and exclusive wine territory. The project was born from the passion of Vittorio Moretti and his daughter Francesca, who decided on the name “PETRA” as a testament to the durability of the culture and values of the land. It was designed by Mario Botta and seeks to express the principles of the company; a working community and a welcoming environment. The grandeur of the estate fits perfectly with the surrounding Maremma hills, the sea, the scattering of farmhouses and the olive groves. The serenity of the natural countryside will blend with the harmonious melodies of the concerts on July 7th . Visit the website of the Tenuta di Petra