A Medici Brilliance in English: Culture for the Historically Clueless

Written by a Lucky Participant

I know three things about Florence since living there. One: there’s a massive church in the middle with a dome you can see from space. Two: there’s a statue of David somewhere, probably with tourists doing awkward selfies next to his marble bits. And three: Dante existed and maybe lived nearby, because I walk past a statue of a guy in a robe looking judgy and I’m told that’s him. So when I got invited to a press-only performance of A Medici Brilliance in English, I assumed I’d sit politely, fake an interest in renaissance wigs, and then sneak out for a spritz. I was wrong. It was actually brilliant.

What the Hell is A Medici Brilliance in English?

It’s a one-hour multimedia show featuring two actors who somehow manage to cram 300 years of Medici family drama into 60 minutes without sounding like a dusty textbook. The lights, visuals, energy: all of it worked. And yes, I was surprised too. Two people. One stage. No escape. It could’ve been a disaster.

But instead, A Medici Brilliance in English was like history with a wine buzz and subtitles. For someone who grew up near Palazzo Reale… alright, a few streets away, close enough, it was a surprisingly enjoyable crash course in the family who basically ruled Florence, funded the Renaissance, and fought with each other like it was their national sport.

Why I Wasn’t Ready for This

Since moving to Florence, I’ve met expats who casually quote 14th-century architects over coffee and know which Medici cousin had a thing for poisoning his enemies. Me? I’m still figuring out where the good focaccia is.

So I went into this performance with cultural imposter syndrome, ready to smile and nod. But A Medici Brilliance in English did something wild… it made history actually stick. I left the theatre knowing who Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici was and why she might be the only reason Florence isn’t empty of its own history.

Apparently, her brother (Duke “Whatever-His-Name” Medici) wanted to ship off the family’s art collection. She argued that it should all stay in Florence. He died, she won, and because of that moment, this city still holds on to its art. Meanwhile, Persian artifacts are in London, Greek friezes are in Paris, and Aboriginal paintings are in Rome. I mean, come on.

Florence kept its stuff. Because of one smart, stubborn woman. That’s the kind of gossip I can get behind.

Should You Go See It?

Yes. Whether you’re in Florence for one night, three nights, or you live here pretending to write a novel while day-drinking, go see A Medici Brilliance in English. It’s short, it’s smart, it’s surprisingly funny, and it makes you sound clever at dinner later.

Go see the show. Then get drunk. Climb the Duomo. Shout facts about Lorenzo the Magnificent at your friends. Then casually mention you learned it all from a “private cultural event” and not two actors on stage while someone projected maps behind them.

And when someone doubts your Florentine expertise? Light a cigarette, smirk, and say “Anna Maria Luisa would’ve backed me.”

Cheers for tuning in. You’re welcome.

Fox

Oh… in case you’ve been wondering what I’ve up to… check out Good Luck Getting Rid of Me.