On 15 July 2025, for the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226-2026), Pisa will celebrate the Saint with a show and extraordinary openings in Piazza del Duomo.
At 21:30 will take place the show, free and with limited seats until availability, at the foot of the Tower that will be illuminated for the occasion.
In addition, from 20:30 to 24:00, the most precious places of the Piazza will be open free of charge to the public: the Camposanto, the Baptistery, the Museum of the Sinopie and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo can only be visited by booking from Tuesday 8 July on www.impegnoefuturo.it. The Cathedral, on the other hand, will remain freely accessible with limited access but without reservation. The Tower will be closed to the public from 18:00.
FRANCIS IN THE PIAZZA DEL DUOMO OF PISA
Michele Placido with I Cameristi del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Michele Placido reciting voice
with the Cameristi del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
from an idea by Elena Marazzita
text by Davide Sacco
mise en scène by Marco Voleri
music
Mozart Quartet in C major KV 465 "of the dissonances"
Mozart Ave verum corpus KV 618
Beethoven Quartet in F major op.59 n.1 "Razumovskij"
Beethoven Quartet in C sharp minor op.131
Bach Goldberg Variations BWV 988
produced by AidaStudioProductions and Opera della Primaziale Pisana
Francesco is a solemn and inspired recital that retraces the life, works and universal message of Saint Francis of Assisi, central figure of Christian spirituality and timeless symbol of peace, humility and love for creation. The viewer is taken on an exciting journey, from the Saint’s childhood in the city of Assisi to his radical conversion, the renunciation of earthly goods, the foundation of the Franciscan Order and the mystical encounter with the divine. The scene consists of essential and suggestive paintings, where word, music and light merge to restore the spiritual depth of Francis' journey: dialogue with the wolf, the embrace of lepers, preaching to birds, love for nature, the poverty chosen as a way of freedom and the meeting with the Sultan, symbol of interreligious dialogue ante litteram.
Francis is not only the story of an extraordinary life, but an invitation to reflection, a call to essentiality and fraternity, which today resounds with renewed urgency. An intense representation, in the sign of a spirituality that transcends borders and unites consciences. Davide Sacco
Michele Placido (Ascoli Satriano, 1946). He studied at the Accademia Nazionale d'Arte Drammatica "Silvio D'Amico" and made his theatre debut in 1970 with Luca Ronconi in Orlando furioso. Four years later he made his cinema debut with Romanzo popolare by Mario Monicelli. He is given the first dramatic role in Marco Bellocchio’s Triumphal March. In 1983 he played Commissario Cattani in the television series La Piovra by Damiano Damiani. In 1990 he presented his first work as a director at Cannes, 'Pummaro'. Follow The Friends of the Heart (La Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, Cannes, 1992), A bourgeois hero (1995), Of lost love (1997), A journey called love (2002), Everywhere you are (2004, in competition at the Venice Film Festival), Criminal novel (2005, winner of eight David di Donatello and five Silver Ribbons, in competition at the Berlin Festival), Il grande sogno (2009, in competition at the Venice Film Festival), L'ombra di Caravaggio (2022, winner of two David di Donatello and three Silver Ribbons). He continues his career as an actor alternating between theatre, television and cinema, directed by directors such as Gianni Amelio, Mario Martone, Cristina Comencini, Alessandro D'Alatri, Riccardo Milani, Giuseppe Tornatore, Nanni Moretti.
