Frissón Opens New Music and Art Space in Central Rome

Frissón, a new listening bar and cultural hub, opened in early December 2021 at Via dei Cartari 7 in central Rome. Founded by DJ and philosophy graduate Luca Quartarone and gallerist Mario Ansalone, the space aims to provide a high-level listening experience in a flexible artistic environment designed by architect Pasquale Pagano. The venue features three interconnected rooms: an entry listening and reading area with a New York bench from Ansalone's former Paris gallery, a bar area, and a room with a high-end audio system for live sessions, DJ sets, performances, and exhibitions such as the current site-specific installation "Ragnatele" by artist Remi Petit. Frissón also sells vinyl records, independent magazines, and natural wine. Ansalone previously ran Flaq gallery in Paris for nearly 15 years, showcasing young artists across Europe and Italy. The founders describe the space as an "intimate container" and an "essential white cube" with blue, yellow, and green parallelepipeds. They emphasize a curated experience and community-building, with daily musical selections from Tuesday to Saturday. The pandemic allowed them to connect and develop the project. Quartarone notes that while some say such venues are difficult in Rome, they saw it as motivation. Future plans include daytime activities like brunch and magazine discussions.