Zeffirelli Open Day: Remembering the Maestro & His Art

It has been 102 years since the birth of Florence’s Franco Zeffirelli, and to celebrate, on February 12, the Zeffirelli Foundation are opening their doors to residents of the greater Florence metropolitan area to visit the collection for free. All you will need is proof of residency in the metropolitan area, which is comprised of Bagno a Ripoli, Calenzano, Campi Bisenzio, Fiesole, Firenze, Impruneta, Lastra a Signa, Sandicci, Sesto Fiorentino and Signa and other towns in the province of Florence. The Museum will be open from 10 am – 6 pm, with the ticket office closing at 5 pm.

Franco Zeffirelli was born on February 12, 1923. He trained at the Art Institute and the Academy of Fine Arts before coming a very successful set designer with his work on Shakespeare’s ‘Troilus and Cressida’, directed by his mentor Luchino Visconti in the Boboli Gardens. The Zeffirelli Foundation, located at 5 San Firenze Square, houses over 250 of his works, including stage designs, drawings, and costume sketches. Photographs, videos, models, and costumes bring to life dozens of memorable performances.

As part of the celebration, there will be a tour of the collection, which will take visitors on a journey through his life and artistic career. The first rooms are dedicated to Luchino Visconti and Maria Callas, two great inspirations to Zeffirelli. The tour then moves on to rooms which are dedicated to his career as an operatic director and his role in drama theatre. Featured are costumes from the infamous ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’

Moving further along the collection, there is a special section dedicated to Zeffirelli’s 1966 documentary on the Florence Flood and a glimpse into his unfinished vision of Dante’s ‘Inferno.’

A new feature which was made available to the public in December 2024 is the ‘Zeffirelli Museum’ Mobile App, which gives users free access to augmented reality experiences throughout the collection. It includes previously unpublished archival material such as sketches, drawings audiovisuals, objects and set photos, which all provide a more intimate glimpse into the Maestro’s most famous work.

At midday, his family and friends will participate in a blessing celebrated by Father Bernardo at the Basilica of San Miniato.  (Mina Lozanova)