It’s 1889, the middle of the Belle Epoque. You and your entourage of cultural and artistic intellectuals, artists and patrons alike have just finished attending “Le Salon”, the launch exhibition of a new creative voice in Bologna, Italy.
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You were able to secure an official invitation to an exclusive after party hosted in the private residence of the late composer, Gioachino Rossini. However, others got word and so as a diversion, you were hustled out a back door to a secret location to continue the evening. Who knows where you will end up in the wee hours of the night…..
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The “Samedi Soirées” was the official name of Rossini’s Salon Culturels- weekly celebrations of music, art and literature; hosted for his inner circle of artists, intellectuals, friends and musicians.
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This particular evening, hosted by Rossini’s protégé and French composer, Louis Diemer (Giacomo) and his lover , Genevieve Halevy Madame Bizet (Neima) will be the debut of a young, Viennese artist, Gustav Klimt; pioneering a peculiarly audacious artisitc style that uses gold leaf and gem tones in abundance.
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Inspired by Byzantine golden mosaics of Emilia Romagna, this nouveau art style may take off; thus you and your fellow aficionados want to be among the first to discover this budding artist. It is said that in attendance there will be many of his mentors, muses and creative friends from the Liberty underground literary, art and theatre scenes of Paris and Vienna; including Toulouse-Lautrec, Alfons Mucha, Sarah Bernhardt, Colette, Suzanne Valadon, and many more. All guests are invited to come dressed in theme, inspired by Klimt and the Belle Epoque accordingly.
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The post-exhibition evening will start with a formal dinner to further engage the senses, followed by music, art and literature and dance.
