Italian journeys

If music be the food of love…

As Shakespeare wrote …

If music be the food of love, play on

…so it was for me at the Teatro Filarmonico, at the performance of music by Verdi, Rossini, and Wagner played by the Orchestra of L’Arena di Verona, a full choir and a soprano with a voice like an angel.

I sat in a private box with my friend Lodovica and Paola, on red velvet seats enthralled by the beautiful music which lasted for two and a half hours…magical!

Built in the 18th century as Verona’s opera house, the theatre opened in 1732, with the drama, La Fida Ninfa by Vivaldi. The opera season became famous, and the performances led society events. But in 1749 fire destroyed the theatre. It was rebuilt and opened again in 1754.

However, tragedy struck once again on the night of February 23, 1945, when the theatre collapsed under Anglo-American bombing in World War II. The Academy Philharmonic announced that it would try to rebuild the theatre exactly as it had been before and in 1975, the theatre opened once again in all it’s glory.

Ciao for now …Isabella

A walk in the vineyards

[dropcap size=dropcap]A[/dropcap] beautiful day for a walk in the vineyards of Valpolicella, in the foothills of the Alps, just west of Verona and between the mountains and Lake Garda. Winemaking in the region has existed since around the time of the ancient Greeks. The Valpolicella region is colloquially called the “pearl of Verona” (La perla di Verona).

View across the Vineyards of Valpolicella

The red wine known as Valpolicella is typically made from three grape varietals: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara. They are lively, table wines with full bouquets…I plan to taste a few next week when we have an excursion to a cantina and a degustation.

Troy, Hannah and I enjoyed the passeggiata with Gaia and Giacomo, two of our fantastic teachers, from the town of Marano di Valpolicella along paths through the vineyards to a beautiful church, La chiesa di Santa Maria di Valverde at the top of a hill. The church is famous in Verona for weddings…what a beautiful setting to be married! I hope the vine-growers don’t mind that we pinched a few bunches of their delicious grapes as we walked along.

Cin cin …Isabella

Chaos and calm

Although most shops are shut on Sundays in Verona, sometimes, when there is a big event on in the city, they are open and it seems that everyone and their dogs are out and about. The picture is of Via Mazzini, a (usually) beautiful pedestrian shopping zone. It was unbearable, and I found a quick escape route to the river Adige which is very close. The comparison is amazing!

Beautiful churches in Verona

A day to remember our special friends and loved ones. For you Dina, la mia amica del cuore, you are always in my heart.

love …Isabella

Rice fields in the Veneto

A beautiful day for an excursion to Isola della Scala, located on the fertile plains close to Verona. It is often called “Citta del Riso” (city of rice) because it is surrounded by rice fields. Isola della Scala has been a centre for rice production in the Veneto since the 17th century and has also become the market garden of the Veneto with it’s fruit and vegetable production due to natural springs and fertile soil.

We went to the rice fields which belong to the Azienda Agricola del Vo. The photo is of my schoolmates in front of their beautiful villa which has huge grounds and a lawn big enough for a game of Aussie Rules! Rice harvesting was in full swing when we arrived.

First though, we we’re almost eaten alive by mosquitoes (zanzare, in Italian) on our walk to se the natural springs, with it’s crystal clear water. It is also home to the pesky carp which we Aussies have come to detest.

After posing for photos in the rice fields with the huge harvester at our heels, we visited an historic mill for a look at rice processing in times past. A staple in the Veronese diet for centuries, the rice produced here is commonly used to make risotto. So, we were off to the rice festival to taste the many different risotto dishes made with amazing ingredients, including wine and cinnamon.

Buon appetito…Isabella

Spettacoli al’Arena di Verona

Spectacular is the word to describe the two shows I’ve been lucky to experience at The Arena, in Verona.

Cats, the musical, sitting four rows from the stage (courtesy of my wonderful host, Lodovica) was magical, with the orchestra almost close enough to touch.

The Zucchero concert, from high up in the unnumbered seats under the stars in the amphitheatre, was amazing. The atmosphere, fantastic with everyone (including me) singing and dancing along to the music.

Enjoy the show…Isabella