Magical nights in the heart of Siena: the pulpit of Pisano, the Requiem of Verdi and a floor of “lights”

Magical nights in June in Siena: three great events that will enlighten unique masterpieces. The restoration of the pulpit by Nicola Pisano, the initiative of I Notturni dell’Opera- during which the Messa da requiem by Verdi will be integrally played in a charmed setting- and finally the inauguration of the Cathedral floor that will take place on the 27th of June. This last event will be introduced by a “bright work” of Marco Nereo Rotelli who created a visual itinerary through art, music and words that will animate the magnificent façade.
Regarding the restoration of the pulpit by Nicola Pisano, Gian Franco Indirizzi, the director of Opera Metropolitana del Duomo- the organization that is responsible of Siena Art Museums and ancient Churches- commented: “This event will be internationally recognized as an important result in the scientific community. The pulpit is the crown jewel of the Cathedral because it represents the civitas and the prosperity of Siena in that period when our city could afford the best artists, sculptors and painters such as Nicola Pisano, indeed, and Arnolfo di Cambio”. He then added: “We are very satisfied after two years of restoration. This work revealed unknown details that the scientific community, beyond the audience, will certainly enjoy. Thanks to the great job of the supervisor Bagnoli, it’s now available a documentation about unknown artistic techniques and materials used at that time”.
A well-preserved agreement attests that the pulpit was commissioned by the Opera Metropolitana del Duomo to Nicola Pisano on the 29th of September 1265. The artist finished the great masterpiece in three years thanks to his son, Giovanni, and his student, Arnolfo di Cambio’s support. This monumental piece of Art, entirely covered with stoneworks in marble, was initially placed under the dome until 1506 when was placed where it currently is. On the 15th of June 2018, the director Gian Franco Indrizzi will reveal the surprising restoration of such a magnificent monument.

The month of June is going to be intense for Siena and its culture. Indeed, on the 21st at 9:30 pm, in the Basilica di San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi, the Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi will be played. For the first time, instead of the main Cathedral, the setting of this event will be the Basilica dei Servi that was financed so to secure the architectonic structures. “I hope this further intervention will give value to the Basilica dei Servi and other unique jewels of this city that thanks to touristic politics is trying to guide tourists towards other Art itineraries than the usual ones”- commented Indrizzi.
Some information about the opera of Verdi. The Messa da Requiem was first integrally played for the anniversary of Manzoni’s death, on the 22nd of May in 1874 in the church of San Marco, in Milan. It was directed by Verdi himself and it gained such a great success that it was internationally recognized. The opera is a composition of sacred music for choirs, orchestra and solo artists and it will be played by the Unione Corale Senese “Ettore Bastianini”, by the choir of Florence and by the orchestra “Ettore Bastianini”.
In lucem veniet is the third, evocative event that will close the month of June: “He will come to light” (In lucem veniet), said the sibyl Cumea, represented in one of the ornaments of the floor of the Cathedral that will be extraordinarily revealed on the 27th of June. The representation is thought to have been painted by Giovanni di Stefano and describes the prophecy that narrates the apparition of the son of God as the redeemer. After His death, He saved the humankind by resuscitating.

The revelation of the floor will be introduced by the “bright work” of Marco Nereo Rotelli who created a visual art work to be projected on the façade. It will be a mix of writing, sculpture and painting.
“It will be such an evocative night that should be deeply enjoyed by anyone. This famous artist, Rotelli, organized other events in important places in Italy: from the Cathedral of Milan to San Miniato al Monte in Florence. Light- affirmed Indrizzi- will be the key to interpret the work of Rotelli, not only on the façade but also on the decorations of the magnificent floor that will be extraordinarily open to visits from the 27th of June until the 31st of July and from August to October, as usual”.

Katiuscia Vaselli
traduzione Giulia Staggini