As the world has moved so suddenly to online solutions for so many of the activities we enjoy, theatres, actors and musicians are unquestionably hard hit. The cost of an online event ticket is lower than one in person, though at least there’s the possibility that people from around the world can tune in. For those of you who love Italy and want to support the arts from a distance, I’ve made a selection of the online concerts from Italy this Summer that I’ve received news of, focusing on classical music and chamber orchestras. As theatres are opening up with limited publics, many of these are streamed live with excellent quality that you can enjoy from home. I’ll keep adding to this list as more come in.

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino / July 3&7

Zubin Mehta

The Maggio Musicale orchestra’s summer programming was interrupted by Coronavirus, but as of June 12 the modern concert hall has reopened and hosts a maximum of 200 people in the vast room.

Remaining concerts led by Zubin Mehta are July 3 and 7, 2020 and online tickets cost €9,90 for a live streaming available for 24 hours after the initial event. Stay tuned, as the operas presented July 15, 18 and 19 don’t have live stream indications at this time, but perhaps they will announce it if a sponsor is found. See www.maggiofiorentino.com.

Hershey Felder Live from Florence / July 12

Hershey Felder as Beethoven

Canadian-born actor, playwright and pianist Hershey Felder, who recently made Tuscany his home, will perform his original historical musical dedicated to Beethoven in live streaming from his Italian home on July 12, 2020. This is the second live event after his performance of “Berlin” dedicated to Irving Berlin and these are veritable live tv performances – super high quality, dramatic acting and music, and a large camera crew managing HD transmission.

Ticket proceeds ($55 per household) benefit US arts organizations and can be purchased at http://theflr.net/hershey-felder-beethoven

La Foce / Incontri in Terra di Siena / July 21-30

The beautiful gardens of Iris Origo overlooking the Crete Senesi host part of the annual Incontri in Terra di Siena concert series that I had intended to finally attend this year. The live concerts from La Foce will be held July 21 and 26 with a small public (social distancing and masks enforced) and free professional live streaming. Donations to the tax-deductible 501(c) 3 Corporation, Friends of Incontri in Terra di Siena, Inc. are encouraged!

In addition to the live concerts, there are three dinner-events with famous chefs recommending menus you can create at home, garden tours, interviews and more on July 23, 26 and 30. Click here for the Incontri Summer 2020 programme.

Rome / Fendi Renaissance – Anima Mundi

Not technically a live concert, for this video of the live event has been published in edited form, but prepare to be blown away by the beauty of Vivaldi’s Summer from the Four Seasons in this production from Rome’s Accademia di Santa Cecilia in collaboration with Fendi – the stylist dressed star violinist Anna Tifu, whose talent is enhanced by the stunning formal gowns.

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Alexandra Korey

Alexandra Korey aka @arttrav on social media, is a Florence-based writer and digital consultant. Her blog, ArtTrav has been online since 2004.

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