Venice’s cultural life has always been – and continues to be – extremely vibrant, with significant growth recorded in recent years. The city is not only a place of cultural enjoyment, but also a hub of lively, innovative and ongoing cultural production. A quick scroll through the list of event organisers reveals the variety of proposals and the wide range of activities carried out. There are hundreds of organisers of cultural events, including public bodies, foundations, institutions, associations and private entities, and the link between cultural production and tourism is particularly strong. Those staying in the Riviera area often show a strong interest in the activities of Venice’s major cultural organisations, frequentlu requesting information on how to participate and which services are available. Below is a selection of some of the most important Venetian cultural production centres visited by guests staying in the Riviera del Brenta and Mirano area.
The Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice is one of the jewels of Italian theatre architecture and a “sacred” place in the history of music. Founded in 1792, it has hosted numerous world premieres of operas by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi; and its stage has welcomed many of the greatest artists of the past and present. The theatre, destroyed by a fire in 1996, was rebuilt and restored to its former glory. In recent years it has once again presented artistic programmes of the highest caliber, featuring renowed figures such as Myung-Whun Chung, Ton Koopman and Marco Angius, along with new productions and international stagings – includng Giuseppe Verdi’s Don Carlo.
In 2004, the reconstructed Fenice was inaugurated by Robert Carsen’s production of Verdi’s La Traviata, which is still considered one of the most fascinating opera productions of all time.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a treasure trove of great 20th century masterpieces. During her intense life, the eclectic American patron collected the most important and significant works of the early 20th century avant-garde in her Venetian house-museum in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, including masterpieces by Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky, Mirò, de Chirico and Dalì. In the spirit of the founder, who opened her rooms to the public every summer, the palace officially became a museum in 1980 and over time has been enriched by the masterpieces of the Hannelore B. and Rudolph B. Schulhof Collection and the beautiful garden of the Hannelore B. Schulhof. Schulhof Collection and the splendid Nasher sculpture garden. The permanent collections are complemented by a wide programme of temporary exhibitions and collateral activities, such as free public presentations and educational workshops. These initiatives make the Peggy Guggenheim Collection one of the Italy’s most beloved and visited museums dedicated to 20th century art.
Established in 1869 by the last descendant of the family, Count Giovanni, a cultured man and philanthropist, the Querini Stampalia Foundation in Venice is a true home for art and culture. Inside the 16th century palace, the spaces restored by leading contemporary architects provide an elegant setting for concerts, meetings and exhibitions.
The house-museum still seems to be inhabited; it preserves the original furnishings and the rich art collections, with over four hundred works by artists of the calibre of Bellini, Tiepolo and Longhi. Since 2018, the Foundation has been permanently exhibiting the valuable collection of paintings, sculptures and furniture owned by the Cassa di Risparmio di Venezia, now Intesa Sanpaolo. Available to visitors are the refined bookshop, the cosy cafeteria and the secret garden with oriental suggestions, for an unusual Venice in which to experience the emotion of art and beauty.
Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana, two splendid historic buildings restored by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, are two contemporary art museums in the Pinault Collection. Overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice, they host major solo and group exhibitions featuring leading figures of the international contemporary art scene. Through customized guided tours, visitors are taken on an exciting journey to discover the artworks, the artists on display, and the remarkable architecture that houses them. The cafeterias of the two museums enrich the visitor experience with gourmet proposals ranging from lunches to aperitifs.
From 22 March 2020 Palazzo Grassi presents an exhibition dedicated to the great master Henri Cartier-Bresson and a monographic exhibition of the photographer Youssef Nabil, while Punta della Dogana hosts a group exhibition of around 60 artists.
M9, the first multimedia museum dedicated to the 20th century, is a unique place to learn about the past, question the present and imagine the future.
Designed by the Berlin studio Sauerbruch Hutton, M9 is an example of urban regeneration with an international scope that, by bringing together modern and ancient architecture, contributes to enriching the city centre of Mestre with a new cultural pole. The museum offers visitors an educational and engaging experience through 60 interactive multimedia installations and 8 thematic sections that guide them on a journey of discovery of the social, economic and cultural transformations of 20th-century Italy. A floor entirely dedicated to temporary exhibitions, along with an auditorium and a covered cloister, extend the cultural offering and periodically host events open to the public.
Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, home of the Venice Casino, is among the most beautiful palaces overlooking the Grand Canal.
Official location of the Venice Carnival dinner show, the complex features a spacious piano nobile where the ballroom opens up, used together with the adjoining rooms during parties, conventions, shows and press conferences. On the same floor, the Wagner Restaurant offers the exclusive pleasure of a refined dinner sorrounded by Palma il Giovane’s paintings and Gian Battista Crosato’s frescoes. The mezzanine floor houses the flats of maestro Richard Wagner, who lived and composed here: the museum rooms, managed by the Richard Wagner Association of Venice, can be visited free of charge upon reservation. On the top floor, the Venice Casino completes the offer.
