A series of performances will be held in both indoor and outdoor venues, over the New Year period.
Rome
This magnificent Teatine church was founded in 1524 and dedicated to Sant’Andrea, the patron of Amalfi, whose ruling family instigated the building of the original church. The lavish fresco, decorating the third largest dome in Rome after St. Peter’s and the Pantheon, was painted by the great Baroque artists Lanfranco and Domenichino and follow the story of Sant’Andrea. This church impressed Puccini so much that he based the first act of Tosca in Sant’Andrea della Valle. Remember to visit the embalmed bodies of the Supreme Pontiffs, Pius II and Pius III who have both been resting here since 1623.Rome
The current Baroque church was completed in 1667 with the famous icon of the Virgin Mary enshrined in the eye catching golden Gloria of Angels located behind the main altar. You can also see a wonderful collection of art, frescos and statues including the oldest Marian shrine in Rome which dates back to 1073. In 1747 Henry Stuart, son of Bonnie Prince Charlie, became a cardinal deacon to the church and started the tradition of the Perpetual Prayer which is still recited at every Saturday mass hoping for the Church of England to return to the Catholic faith.Frascati, Rome
Frascati is an idyllic hill top town located 12 miles south-east of Rome in the Alban Hills famous for its crisp white wine, the aristocratic Villa Aldobrandini, winding cobbled streets and magnificent views over the plains surrounding Rome. Piazza San Pietro, named after Frascati's 16th Century Basilica, which watches over the square, is in the historic centre and a popular pedestrian hub. This is regularly used as outdoor space by our performers.Rome
The church of St. John the Baptist in Rome, also known as the national church of Florence, took two centuries to complete. This graceful minor basilica was commissioned by Pope Leo X and designed by the Florentine artist Jacopo Sansovino. It lies in the ancient Ponte district of Rome, increasingly becoming the home of artists, hipsters and where the local Roman community and visitors can enjoy contemporary dining and one-off, boutique shops.