Spring has sprung in Florence, the Iris garden is bursting with bloom, and the hidden gardens around the city and the surrounding hills have become the arena of choice for every possible activity. On May 12th, The Angel Academy celebrated the centenary of 20th century painter Pietro Annigoni in the magnificent Bardini gardens overlooking Florence. Students of the Annigoni tradition exhibited their works in the limonaia during a grand festa at which members enjoyed fine wine, food, and music. On the other side of town, the Corsini family have opened

We are thrilled to announce that a member’s daughter, Devon Tooma, has recently taken the position as Features Editor for the Florence English language paper, The Florentine. Devon, a Stanford University graduate, fluent in several languages, first came as a student to Florence, and immediately fell in love with the city. This year she has been living with the same Italian family that she stayed with as a student while teaching English. [ ... ]

On May 26th through the 28th, a small group of students are invited to spend a delightful three days studying and singing with Amanda McBroom at the Palazzo with a final performance in the Opera suite. The class is open to everyone from experienced singers to those who have never sung but always wanted to. [ ... ]

In early May, Stephen Saltzburg, a criminal law expert and Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School, hosted an engaging and informal talk with members and guests in the library--discussing some of the current legal issues surrounding the status of detainees in Guantanamo and the terrorism trials. A frequent NPR commentator on legal issues, Saltzburg clerked for Justice Thurgood Marshall, and is a knowledgeable commentator on recent Supreme Court rulings.

John Morris, an eye-witness to the rise of photojournalism who ushered some of the 20th century’s most iconic images, gave a fascinating talk to a small group of members and invited guests earlier this spring in the Ruccellai Suite of the Club.  At the age of 94, he is quite literally a living legend. He was recently awarded France’s Legion d’honneur, for his work as photo editor.   [ ... ]

In town for the Sacred Music Festival, Palazzo Tornabuoni was delighted to host the distinguished Austrian composer, conductor, virtuoso flautist, clavichorist, harpsichorist and organist, René Clemencic.  The director and founder of a world-famous ensemble for early music - the Clemencic Consort - he is also a musicologist, writer, and philosopher, as well as finding time to create an extraordinary museum in his own home of emblematic books and sculptures.  [ ... ]

Palazzo Hosts Opening Gala of Strozzina Exhibition: “Gerhard Richter and the Disappearance of the Image in Contemporary Art”

In collaboration with next door neighbor, Strozzina, members welcomed a group of artists, art galleries and collectors from around Europe for the opening dinner of their new show— a tribute to the acclaimed German painter Gerhard Richter.   [ ... ]

Rolando Takes His Cooking Classes to the Gardens, Hillsides and Favorite Restaurants.

Rolando hosted a spectacular four-day culinary seminar, “Rolando in Giardino” which took guests from the gardens of the Principessa Corsini to the hills of Artimino.  One evening, during Cammillo’s day of closure, (A member favorite) Chiara, the proprietor, shared family culinary secrets. With Rolando’s gentle guidance and vast knowledge, students learned not only the art of preparing and combining Italian products and produce but also the history and culture behind it.  [ ... ]

Though many are under the impression that Florentine Art belongs to the past - dependent on the patronage of the Medicis, European kings or the Church - in fact Florence is still a lively artistic hub where traditional realist painting continues to be practiced in studios, ateliers and bottegas throughout the city. [ ... ]

Palazzo Garden Seminar : Paradise of Exiles – The Anglo Saxon Gardens of Florence.

For two days, members and guests will be traversing the hills of Florence with landscape garden expert Jessica Knight, visiting private and public gardens of the city. The seminar will begin with a lecture in the Club library with author Katie Campbell, who will discuss her book, Paradise of exiles: The Anglo American Gardens of Florence [ ... ]

Palazzo Tornabuoni Virtual Tour

To view some of the Palazzo's residences and common areas, click on the link for a spectacular 360 degree view.

www.palazzotornabuoni.com/vr/

The latest press: American Way article and London Evening Standard

The Palazzo continues to garner international press coverage, reflecting the memberships' make-up of 13 countries.

American Way [pdf]
London Evening Standard [pdf]

The Membership Team held two events this week, one in New York City, and one in Los Angeles. Thank you to all who attended and help make the events very rewarding for the prospective members. These events are a great opportunity for prospective members to learn more about Palazzo Tornabuoni, meet members and the developer. Be on the lookout for our next event in London.

Palazzo Tornabuoni is pleased to announce the launch of its Palazzo Tornabuoni Fellows: Artists in Residence Program, designed to nurture the arts by offering creative individuals of the highest talent an inspiring environment in which to rehearse, work on or share their passion – whether it be music, literature, the visual or performing arts, photography or architecture.  
This will also provide Tornabuoni Club members from around the world with a unique and extraordinary opportunity to meet, speak with and enjoy the company of these remarkable [...]

South African born, Nico De Villiers is a pianist and opera coach who is coaching Caitlin Andrews in the Club's Sala delle Muse as part of the newly launched Artist in Residence Program.
Regulating, expanding and smoothing out an operatic voice is work that takes years and a team of trained musicians. Ms. Andrews is currently training in Salzburg, Austria with the world-renowned soprano, Barbara Bonne, where she is also coached by Nico de Villiers who divides [...]

Vocal Coach - Collaborative Piano
Between teaching and performing engagements, Asako will be rehearsing in the Sala delle Muse. The door is open for Members and guests to stop by and listen.

Ms.Uchimura started studying piano at the age of 4 at the YAMAHA School of Music in Japan. She graduated from the University of Sapporo (Japan) in voice performance with honors. During that time, she was asked to be a soloist in the University's [...]

Palazzo Tornabuoni Members can enjoy a variety of diverse and beautiful destinations in luxurious accommodations through the Club's reciprocity program, Elite Alliance Select. This program provides a nice opportunity for Members who may like to exchange their vacation time in Florence for a ski, beach or golf destination of similar elegance, ambiance, environment and architectural distinction to Palazzo Tornabuoni. [ ... ]