Associated Press
7/6/2017
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Pippo Zeffirelli, center, son of director Franco Zeffirelli, poses with Russian entrepreneur Mikhail Kusnirovich, and American investor Govind Friedland during the presentation of the Franco Zeffirelli International Centre for the Performing Arts at the Foreign Press Club in Rome, Thursday, July 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
MILAN (AP) — Director Franco Zeffirelli's art works and personal library have been moved from his Roman villa to his native Florence to fill a museum honoring his life's work.
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Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, second from left, speaks during the presentation of the Franco Zeffirelli International Centre for the Performing Arts at the Foreign Press Club in Rome, Thursday, July 6, 2017. At left Philip Willan, Foreign Press Club's president, and at right Gianna Letta, honorary president of the Zeffirelli Foundation. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
The museum and performing arts center will display around 500 sketches of production sets that Zeffirelli made during his vast career, make available his 10,000-volume library and incorporate artistic activities.
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Russian entrepreneur Mikhail Kusnirovich speaks during the presentation of the Franco Zeffirelli International Centre for the Performing Arts at the Foreign Press Club in Rome, Thursday, July 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
His son, Pippo Zeffirelli, said at a presentation Thursday in Rome "the project was born from the maestro's desire to leave all his artistic treasures" intact and accessible. Zeffirelli was expected to attend, but his son said he was feeling unwell because of a heat wave.
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American investor Govind Friedland speaks during the presentation of the Franco Zeffirelli International Centre for the Performing Arts at the Foreign Press Club in Rome, Thursday, July 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
The film, TV and opera director, who is 94, also will be honored at La Scala with a revival of his 1963 production of "Aida."
