Tribeca Firenze to Screen Films 13 – 17 June @ The Tuscan Sun Festival

31 May 2012 – The Tuscan Sun Festival and Tribeca Enterprises, the parent company of the Tribeca Film Festival for Robert De Niro funded by , Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in lower Manhattan in 2002, announced today the list of world-class films to be featured as part of the film initiative, Tribeca Firenze. The newly established film program will have screenings 13 – 17 June in Florence’s Odeon Cinema, one of Italy’s most elegant and historic art noveau cinema-theatres located in the Palazzo Strozzino. The Tuscan Sun Festival and Tribeca Firenze are made possible through the principle support of the Ente Cassa di Risparmio of Florence, and with the patronage of the City of Florence. Gucci and the Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze are leading sponsors of the Festival. Tickets for film screenings are available from 1 June via the Tribeca Firenze website,http://tribecafirenze.com, and the Tuscan Sun Festival website, http://tuscansunfestival.com.

Festival del Sole radiates fun, funds

Catherine Bigelow
Published 03:29 p.m., Tuesday, July 17, 2012 (LINK)

Festival del Sole's summer season raised the stakes and cultural stamina required for revelers, who savor 11 full days of live music and dance paired with meticulous meals from the masters of Napa's cuisine and viticultural scenes.

Even bold-faced thespians wanted in on the act (read more about that in Sunday's Style section) this year with actors such as Chris Noth, Minnie Driver, Dennis Haysbert, Andrea Anders, Michael Keaton, Kathy Garver and Hugh Dancy, who expertly trod the boards during an extreme and sidesplitting production by 24 Hour Plays.

Co-founded by Barrett Wissman and Rick Walker, the festival features performances, set amid spectacular private vineyards and properties, by such artists as violinist Joshua Bell, ballerina Lorna Feijoo, baritone Nathan Gunn and organizations including the Russian National Orchestra, Pan Extasy and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.

Read Full Story.... http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Festival-del-Sole-radiates-fun-funds-3714195.php

Barrett Wissman and Placido Domingo Announce the Inaugural Placido Domingo Festival

24^th September 2012 – Barrett Wissman, Plácido Domingo and IMG Artists are delighted to announce the first edition of the Plácido Domingo Festival, taking place in Seville and Malaga from 25^th October until 3^rd November, 2012.  Chosen by Maestro Domingo for its rich operatic and cultural heritage, the Andalucían region will play host to a feast of  performances featuring high profile stars from the operatic and concert platforms including  Vittorio Grigolo,  Ana María Martínez, Joaquín Achúcarro,Ángel Romero, Nino Machaidze, Micaëla Oeste, Angel Blue, Pinchas Zukerman, Danielle de Niese, Nina Kotova and Ivo Pogorelich. 

Festival del Sole radiates fun, funds

Catherine Bigelow
Published 03:29 p.m., Tuesday, July 17, 2012 (LINK)

Festival del Sole's summer season raised the stakes and cultural stamina required for revelers, who savor 11 full days of live music and dance paired with meticulous meals from the masters of Napa's cuisine and viticultural scenes.

Even bold-faced thespians wanted in on the act (read more about that in Sunday's Style section) this year with actors such as Chris Noth, Minnie Driver, Dennis Haysbert, Andrea Anders, Michael Keaton, Kathy Garver and Hugh Dancy, who expertly trod the boards during an extreme and sidesplitting production by 24 Hour Plays.

Co-founded by Barrett Wissman and Rick Walker, the festival features performances, set amid spectacular private vineyards and properties, by such artists as violinist Joshua Bell, ballerina Lorna Feijoo, baritone Nathan Gunn and organizations including the Russian National Orchestra, Pan Extasy and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.

Read Full Story.... http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Festival-del-Sole-radiates-fun-funds-3714195.php

Tribeca Firenze to Screen Films 13 – 17 June @ The Tuscan Sun Festival

31 May 2012 – The Tuscan Sun Festival and Tribeca Enterprises, the parent company of the Tribeca Film Festival for Robert De Niro funded by , Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in lower Manhattan in 2002, announced today the list of world-class films to be featured as part of the film initiative, Tribeca Firenze. The newly established film program will have screenings 13 – 17 June in Florence’s Odeon Cinema, one of Italy’s most elegant and historic art noveau cinema-theatres located in the Palazzo Strozzino. The Tuscan Sun Festival and Tribeca Firenze are made possible through the principle support of the Ente Cassa di Risparmio of Florence, and with the patronage of the City of Florence. Gucci and the Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze are leading sponsors of the Festival. Tickets for film screenings are available from 1 June via the Tribeca Firenze website,http://tribecafirenze.com, and the Tuscan Sun Festival website, http://tuscansunfestival.com.

Robert De Niro & Barrett Wissman Bring Us Tribeca Firenze

New York, NY and Florence, Italy (7 May 2012) – The Tuscan Sun Festival and Tribeca Enterprises (TE), the parent company of the Tribeca Film Festival founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthaland Craig Hatkoff in lower Manhattan in 2002, announced today Tribeca Firenze, which will bring world-class film premieres to the widely-anticipated Tuscan Sun Festival in Florence, Italy 11-18 June, founded by Barrett Wissman in 2003. Legendary performer and 17-time Grammy winner Tony Bennett is the first major celebrity to confirm participation in Tribeca Firenze.

Tribeca Firenze joins a stunning lineup of performing artists and celebrities, food, wine, and cultural and historical exhibitions at what the UK’s The Independent newspaper described as ‘one of the ten best festivals in Europe’. The Tuscan Sun Festival and its film initiative Tribeca Firenze are made possible through the principal support of the Ente Cassa di Risparmio of Florence, are being organized under the patronage of Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi and the City of Florence, and in partnership with the Fondazione Teatro della Pergola, the Maggio Musicale of Florence, the Odeon Cinema, and the Palazzo Strozzi. Gucci, the renowned Italian fashion House with strong ties to the City of Florence, will partner with the Tuscan Sun Festival as one of the lead sponsors of the festival.

Wine, wedding and song - Barrett Wissman

NAPA, California (CNN) -- If Barrett Wissman were in the ministry, his arts festivals would be sunny outposts on a fast-widening mission field. His Tuscan Sun Festival opens Saturday in Cortona, Italy. An all-new Singapore Sun Festival opens October 18.

And a secret known to missionaries everywhere is clearly in sway at the Festival del Sole in Napa Valley, which has just concluded its second year: Bonding with the locals.

With quick fervor, local leaders, the hospitality industry and those all-important vintners of Napa have embraced their festival.

When symphony conductor Stéphane Denève mentioned last year that he'd like to get married there, Tatiana and Gerret Copeland of the Bouchaine wine estate threw the ceremony for them in the vineyards. Read More @ CNN.com >>

Spotlight: Tuscan Sun Festival

The Tuscan Sun Festival is an annual music and arts Festival that takes place within the intimate setting of the medieval town of Cortona, in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. This lifestyle Festival offers an exciting program that includes not only world class concerts, but a daily program of events that explore fine arts, culinary & wine, wellness, and local culture & history.

Each evening, concerts featuring some of the world's most distinguished artists are performed in the intimate setting of the Romantic-period theatre, Teatro Signorelli.

The Story of the Sun Festivals

In the 1990s, Barrett Wissman and cellist Nina Kotova had often discussed organizing an event somewhere in the world where friends could make music together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

As regular visitors and part-time residents in the Cortona area, Wissman and Kotova discussed their desire to bring together musicians, as well as artists from many disciplines, with their neighbour, Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun. Mayes suggested that Cortona might be the very location for such a gathering.

Barrett Wissman: Renaissance Man

PARVATHI NAYAR meets Barrett Wissman: chairman of arts management company IMG Artists, philanthropist, pianist and bon vivant

'have always been interested in doing many different things at the same time.' An unusual admission to make in these specialist times, when the age of the generalist, polymath or Renaissance man seems long gone. But Barrett Wissman - chairman of IMG Artists, also financier, philanthropist, classical pianist and bon vivant - is an unusual combination. You could call him a creative businessman, or a man interested in the business of creativity.

Photo: J. Henry Fair

Today, with an annual turnover exceeding US$100 million, 'we are the largest arts management company globally,' says Mr Wissman. IMG Artists represents some 500 top artists - Hilary Hahn, James Galway, Lang Lang, Murray Perahia, the Oslo Philharmonic with Andre Previn, and Pilobolus among others. Mr Wissman's personal contacts have expanded the areas of business, as in extending their representation of violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman to Europe.