Turandot

Every year the Festival Pucciniano presents a series of operas on the lakefront near Puccini’s home. What makes thesse operas unique is the setting moonlight, lakeside and also the “Sculpt the Opera” project featuring local artists of international stature such as Kan Yasuda (for Butterfly) and Franco Adami ( La Fanciulla del West).
Some say that opera is the most complete of all artistic forms, because it includes all the others.
Turandot offers all the elements of traditional opera grandiosity, beautiful staging, sumptuos costumes, stock characters (called maschere in Italian) and high passion. Certainly nothing was left out of this year’s production.

The opera has a fairy tale atmosphere, with a far-away location (Peking) and Chinese princess who tries to block her suitors by presenting them with three riddles:
. What is born each night and dies each down?
. What flickers red and warm like a flame, but is not a fire?
. What is like ice, but b urns like fire?

The Prince of Persia fails at the challenge and his decapitated head is presented before the throng. Only Calaf, son of deposed king and travelling incognito, can answer her questions and avoid beheading: hope is born each night and dies each dawn; blood flickers red and warm like flame but is not a fire; Turandot is like ice but burns like fire. Finally Calaf challenges Turandot “You don’t know my name. Bring me my name before sunrise, and at sunrise I will die.” In case you have not seen the opera, I won’t tell you what happens next.
Turandot has set up the challenges as an impediment to marriage to avenge her ancestor who was dishonored and killed.  She has created impossible enigmas that only love can overcome.

Extremes come together in this icy Turandot who kills her suitor, in Calaf who gives Turandot the chance to kill him in return, in the servant Liù who rather than reveal Calaf’s identity sacrifices herself out of love (shades of Dorria Manfredi). The stock characters Ping, Pang e Pong comment on the opera’s themes. Pong says ” I’ll prepare for the wedding” Pang replies and “I’ll prepare for the funeral”. Soon after, Ping sings about “il mio laghetto blu” at Honan, his peaceful home far from the court.

Who could fail to appreciate Liù (sung on opening night by Donata D’Annunzio Lombardi), gentle servant to Calaf’s father, the deposed and blind king Tumur. In her humble serf costume and in her stage movements, she is entirly believable and inspires empathy and true emotion. it is only right thet Turandot (sung by martina Serafin), the icy princess inspire some negative emotions.
“Nessun dorma” received the usual bravos, though Torre del Lago’s night air can waft away arias as lightly as brushing away mosquitoes. This time, though the stage designers got it right, blocking the back of the stage so that the music could not escape over the lake but inevitably reached the audience. A solid castle with smooth wings pushed the sound forward.

It was the first time I had seen Turandot but this is now on my “best” list one to see again and again. Next time I’ll be prepared with the libretto in hand.
As this year’s season comes to an end we can look forward to next year and once again to the Puccini favourites Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Turandot, and Tosca.
For 2011 there will also be a lesser-known opera by Leoncavallo, Mameli. Meanwhile, Lucca’s winter season begins soon at Teatro del Giglio with mozart’s Don Giovanni and Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Guided tours in Italy - Pisa

Guided tours in Italy: Concerts in Piazza dei Miracoli

This September, The Anima Mundi International Festival of Sacred Music in its Tenth edition has stunning program.
Sir John Gardiner will again conduct seven concerts covering five centuries of sacrd music.
Seven staggering performances of masterpieces, new music and rediscoveries for the pleasure of our ears and heart, ranging from the Vespri della Beata Vergine by Claudio Monteverdi to the music of the young Girolamo Deraco, winner of the 2010 composition contest sponsored by Anima Mundi.

From September 15 through October 1 we can hear music by Monteverdi, Gesualdo, Pergolesi (so much admired by J.S. Bach), Pasquini and Cherubini as well as the music that J.S.Bach, Igor Stravinsky and Sergej Rachmaninov wrote and dedicated to these Italian composers.

Some concerts will be held in the Cathedral, others in the Monumental Cemetery. 

On September 18 in the Monumental Cemetery Anima Mundi proposes Le Jongleur de Notre Dame by the English composer Peter Maxwell Davies, based on a medieval legend of a juggler entering a convent and having nothing else to donate to S.Mary’s statue than his skill. It contains a message of tolerance and acceptance just right for today.

The various interpreters are represented  by instruments and children are expected to take part. The Vespri by Rachamaninov, authentically interpreted by the Moscow State Chapel Chorus will close the festival on October 1 in the Cathedral.
All seven concerts are free and start at 21.00. Tickets available from two days before the concert dates.

Web site: www.opapisa.it

Puccini Opera

It’s a happy accident of translation that the word “opera” in Italian translates into English as both “opera” (as in musical drama, opera lirica) and “work”. So the neatly named permanent exhibition in Lucca of “puccini Opera” can serve both as a showcase for the maestro’s whole output of work and his famous operas.
You’ll find Puccini Opera in Via Santa Giustina, midway between Piazza San Salvatore and Via Galli Tassi in the centre of Lucca. Established in the last few months by a not for profit organisation, this elegant little establishment offers three exhibition rooms and a shop.

The permanent exhibition tells the life story of Lucca’s famous composer Giacomo Puccini through opera posters,programmes and sheet music, much of which has been lent from private collections. Puccini was in fact very effectively promoted his publishing house Ricordi packaged him like no other previous composer, with posters, postcards and elegantly illustrated editions of his scores which are collectors’ items in themselves.

In addition to the permanent collection, Puccini Opera is currently offering two temporary exhibitions Puccini e il Cinema, with an outstanding collection of posters of the many films inspired by Puccini’s life and operas; and I Piatti di Puccini featuring original porcelain and ceramic works illustrating scenes from the operas, from two important Italian manufactures Richard Ginori and Piero Fornasetti.
A thrid exhibition will open on 18 September promising Puccini Mai Visto with rare photographs, previously unseen letters, and the composer’s own signed score of his exquisite “Salve Regina”.

Lots to see, then there is even a tiny viewing room with a large screen showing performances of arias from his operas by famous singers. And last but not least, a shop with an interesting collection of new and second hand books about the composer and his music in both Italian and English, and a good range of CDs and souvenirs.

Puccini Opera
Via Santa Giustina 16, Lucca. Entrance free. Open every day except Tuesday from 10 am until 7 pm.
More information on www.pucciniopera.it

Montecarlo Wine

Bacco is crowing the Montecarlo tourist season with a series of events from 28 August to 8 September, weekends 6 pm to midnight, weekdays 7.30 pm to midnight.
This year the  garden of the Instituto Pellegrini Carmignani in Via Roma, which recently underwent a conservative restoration, is the site of the “Salotto del Vino e del Verde” in collaboration with Moreno Vannucci International Association of Green Producers.
Tastings under the Stars wine with cheese and salumi, daily in Piazza Garibaldi, 8.00 pm to 11.30 pm.
Salotto del Vino e del Verde at the Istituto Pellegrini Carmignani, information and reservations 329.3703751
Essenza del Gusto, wine food encounters hosted by FISAR sommeliers. Information and bookings 348.7557216
Sept. 3-5 ex Chiesa della Misericordia, via Cerruglio, 9.30 pm.

Each evening in Piazza Carrara 9.30 pm:
3 Sept. duet by “Gli Opera”, songs from the 70′s to the present.
4 Sept. Gruppo Storico Montecarlese, parade with drummers and costumes throughout the Centro Storico.
5 Sept. Saltimbanchi, students from “I. Calvino” middle school, winners of the national Rassegna del teatro della Scuola.
7 Sept. Doowoop present songs from the 60′s to the present.
8 Sept. Candlelight procession to the Santuario della Madonna del Soccorso, with Montecarlo Philarmonic Band.

Tuscany fair Murabilia 2010

Murabilia 10 years and growing

It’s the biggest visitor attraction in Lucca after Comics & Games. Last year 23.000 people – gardeners, aspiring gardeners, and simply those who like the outdoor life passed though the turnstiles of Murabilia.
This year, from 3-5 September, we can once again enjoy this uniquely lucchese event. For those who may not be immediately turned on by the idea of a garden show, reflect on what is on offer. Over 250 stalls from all over Italy and Europe. from Rome, the biggest bookshop in Italy dealing with flowers, gardens, floral art, and the great outdoors. Suppliers of outdoor clothes, garden furniture and tools, everything for the good life “all’aperto”.

For the house-proud, dried flowers and plant products. For foodies a central theme of the exhibition will be edible plants, everything from chocolate, chestnuts and aubergines to rice, not forgetting farro of course, an initiative also supported by local restaurants. Bonsai Opuntia, which maybe you know as prickly pears.
The annual marrow competition who has the biggest zucca in Lucca? And who doesn’t love orchids?
All in the unique setting of the ancient city walls, from San regolo round to san salvatore in the south-east of Lucca. Don’t miss this annual celebration of the earth at its most bountiful.

Murabilia opens at 12 noon on Friday 3 September.
Opening hours: 12.00 – 7.30 pm, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September.
Daily entrance euro 7,00; 2 day ticket euro 11,00; 3 day ticket euro 14,00.
Children under 9 free.
For more information see www.murabilia.com

Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini September 2010 Events in Lucca

TUTTI I LUNEDI’, MARTEDI’ E MERCOLEDI’ DEL MESE /EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
SPECIAL CONCERTS
“PUCCINI AND MOZART”
(always with different performers and programmes)

TUTTI I GIOVEDI’ DEL MESE – EVERY THRUSDAY OF THE MONTH

UNA NOTTE ALL’OPERA/A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Arie e duetti dal repertorio lirico di Puccini, Verdi, Leoncavallo, Donietti, Mascagni ed altri/arias and duets from the Italian operatic repertoire

TUTTI I VENERDI’ DEL MESE – EVERY FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

MOZART & PUCCINI
Arie e duetti da/arias and duets from  LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, COSI’ FAN TUTTE, DON GIOVANNI, MADAMA BUTTERFLY, LA BOHEME, TOSCA

TUTTI I SABATO DEL MESE – EVERY SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

UNA NOTTE ALL’OPERA/A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Arie e duetti dal repertorio lirico di Puccini, Verdi, Leoncavallo, Donietti, Mascagni ed altri/arias and duets from the Italian operatic repertoire

TUTTE LE DOMENICHE DEL MESE – EVERY SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

PUCCINI E LA CANZONE TRADIZIONALE NAPOLETANA – PUCCINI & THE  NEAPOLITAN TRADITIONAL SONGS
SEPTEMBER 2010
SPECIAL OPERA PRODUCTION OF THE FESTIVAL
24th – 25th – 26th SEPTEMBER – AT 19.30
“TOSCA”
WITH SOLOISTS, CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA OF THE “PUCCINI E LA SUA LUCCA” FESTIVAL
conductor MASSIMO MORELLI
NEW PRODUCTION OF THE FESTIVAL
SCENES AND DIRECTION: ANDREA COLOMBINI

Tuscan marble, fireplace built in Galleni workshop

A workshop with a calling for art.
A first glance, you’d say he’s a typical Pietrasanta youngster, with is ready smile and loquacity. But truth be told, Massimo Galleni is a member of “historic” generation of the city’s craftspeople: his grandfather started the family tradition and Masimo, who has been active in the sector since 1980, opened his own marble workshop about 15 years ago.

Massimo Galleni
Via Torraccia 5, Pietrasanta – Phone: +39 0584 793527
Web-site: www.gallenimassimo.it

Italian jewels

Celebrating Beauty in Tuscany.
Timeless creations from a craftsman-jeweler, on Forte dei Marmi’s most exclusive shopping outings, Carlo’s Marchi‘s jewerly gallery is a mandatory stop.

Marchi is a jeweler who has defended and “fashion-proofed” his classical style. His selections and proposals withstand the test of time; his creation have a inner light all their own and value that goes far beyond purely material worth: rare quality made of unicity exclusivity and personality.

Carlo Marchi Gioiellere
Via Mazzini 7, Forte dei Marmi – Phone +39 0584 83844
Via S. Lucia 28, Lucca – Phone +39 0583 491346
Via Fillungo 69 Lucca – Phone +39 0583 494885

Web-site: www.gioielleriamarchicarlo.it

Yacht rental Italy

Allow yourself the luxury.
Beautiful dream yachts: renting Versilia’s best
A life of luxury and the chance to chenge looks at will. This is the dream that inspired Noleggio Versilia Rent Luxury, specialized in rentals of high-end vehicles and vessels.

For an “escape” to Sardinia on a splendid yacht or vacation in Versilia behind the wheel of a gleaming Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley or Lamborghini.
The agency takes care of every detail, including theft, fire damage, comprehensive, and UM/UIM coverage, a broad spectrum of short-and long-term rental formulas, and contracts of up to one year’s duration.

Noleggio Versilia Rent Luxury
Via Verdi 17 Ronchi  – Phone: +39 338 9042127
Info@noleggioversilia.com
Web-site: www.noleggioversilia.com

Events in Tuscany

LUCCA

Lu.C.C.A Lucca Center of Contemporary Art, Via della Fratta 36
Steve Mc Curry and Pietro Gilardi.
Time after Time. Giuliano Ghelli Le vie del Tempo. Otto minuti dal sole, un minuto dalla luna.
Videoart open 10.00-19.00 Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays. Till 5 September.

Puccini Opera Via S. Giustina 16
Various exhibitions at the association’s head quarters.
Puccini e il cinema Posters and rawing relating to films on puccini heroines. Open 10.00-19.00 daily except  Tuesdays. Till 1 November.
Piatti di Puccini, Richard Ginori ceramics celebrating Puccini’soperas.
Puccini mai visto, memorabilia, music scores, rare photos and letters, inauguration  15 September.

VIAREGGIO

Da Fattori a Casorati
Ojetti Collection. Experts have meticulously re-assembled the collection of 19th and 20th century Italian masterpieces dispersed when the Florentine home of the writer and art critic Ugo Ojetti was turned into a hotel. At the Centro Matteucci per l’Arte Moderna, via d’Annunzio 28.
Tuesday-Saturday 15.30-19.30 Sunday 14.30-20.00 closed Mondays. Till 12 September.

Galileo Chini e la Toscana
A collection of the art nouveau master’s ceramics, paintings, stage scenery- At GAMC Modern Art gallery, Piazza Mazzini 22. Open 18.00-23.00 Tuesdays to Sundays. Monday closed. Till 5 December.

BARGA
Immagini della Valle del Serchio nella pittura del novecento 20th century landscape from the Garfagnana. Fondazione Ricci Till 5 September.