February 22, 2013
The Real Teatro di San Carlo is the oldest continuously active venue for public opera in Europe, opening decades before both the Milanese La Scala and Venetian La Fenice theaters. San Carlo was built by the Bourbon king, Charles III, and takes its name from the fact that it opened on November 4, 1737, the feast day of the saint the king was named for. San Carlo has always been what they called in the days of vaudeville a “tough house”. in 1901, local critics panned their own hometown boy, Enrico Caruso, so severely that he took himself to America, never to sing in Naples again.
I recently was treated to box seats for an opera performance at the San Carlo and it most certainly was a memorable evening. The ushers were clothed in fun attire made of all buttons, ribbons, or keys…a delightful contrast to the classic gilded red and gold theatre itself.
Though the opera season in Italy does not run year around, often a ballet or musical performance can be enjoyed in the off season.
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February 5, 2013
Naples, Napoli in Italian, is the third most-populated city in Italy and the biggest city in Southern Italy. Its close proximity to many interesting sites, such as Pompeii and the Bay of Naples, makes it a good base for exploring the area. Naples is a lively and vibrant city, full of wonderful historical and artistic treasures and narrow, winding streets with small shops, making it worth at least a few days visit.
During my late January visit to Italy, I was priviledged to be one of ten American guests invited to partake in a 4 day educational program highlighting the history, arts, culture, and cuisine of Naples. It had been many years since I had visited Naples with locals and I was rewarded with a renewed enthusiasm for this magical city that is rich in history, traditions, art and breathtaking views, not to mention the culinary highlights. Mayor Luigi de Magistris and Antonella Di Nocera, head of Tourism and Culture, and her welcoming staff prepared an incredible ‘Grand Tour of Naples’ for us and personally joined in on much of the agenda.
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January 31, 2013
I just returned from a tourism symposium in Rome. The first evening, after a day packed with informative meetings, Mayor Gianni Alemanno of Rome hosted a gala dinner for about 60 of us. The event took place in the Palazzo Esposizioni Museum after hours, which meant we were treated to a private viewing of the ‘On the Silk Road’ exhibition.
Rome never fails to lift my spirits and make me feel priviledged to be there. To walk past ancient structures mingled with the new, the many beautiful piazza’s, fountains, and historic buildings and monuments in this very ‘lived in city’ is a joy.
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January 2, 2013
Archaeologists who have completed the excavation of a 900-seat arts centre under one of Rome’s busiest roundabouts are calling it the most important Roman discovery in 80 years. The centre, built by the emperor Hadrian in AD123, offered three massive halls where Roman nobles flocked to hear poetry, speeches and philosophy tracts while reclining on terraced marble seating. “Hadrian’s auditorium is the biggest find in Rome since the Forum was uncovered in the 1920s,” said Rossella Rea, the archaeologist running the dig. The complex was only unearthed thanks to excavations to build a new underground railway line which will cross the heart of Rome. The site is under Piazza Venezia, a main transportation hub in central Rome and site of the Victor Emmanuel II monument, Italy’s first king.
For the full story published by the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/26/hadrians-hall-roman-emperor-arts-centre
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December 27, 2012
Our Middle Eastern Voyage of Discovery continued…. Israel and Palestine, the heart of our Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, docking in Ashdod and Haifa. We walked in the footsteps of the founders of the worlds great religions, on paths dating back several thousand years. We visited ancient holy places; Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Gethsemane, Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, the Way Of The Cross, Nazareth, and Cana. We boated the ‘David’ for a tour on the Sea of Galilee, and visited churches built at the request of the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s mother in 325AD at the sites of the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and the tomb of Jesus. Lunch in the ‘old city’ near the Via Dolorosa…fascinating architecture.
We experienced the walls that separate the Israeli and Palestinian states, and the difference in the two cultures. It is truly amazing to see the transformation from a desert region to an oases that has been accomplished by the Israeli people in just over sixty years. In Jerusalem the beautiful architecture, the modern transportation systems, and the wonderful living spaces built along side ancient history with such careful consideration to antiquity is an example for all the world.
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December 21, 2012
Buon Natale 2012 e Felice Anno Nuovo ~ 2013 !
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The Real Teatro di San Carlo is the oldest continuously active venue for public opera in Europe, opening decades before both the Milanese La Scala and Venetian La Fenice theaters. San Carlo was built by the Bourbon king, Charles III, and takes its name from the fact that it opened on November 4, 1737, the feast day of the saint the king was named for. San Carlo has always been what they called in the days of vaudeville a “tough house”. in 1901, local critics panned their own hometown boy, Enrico Caruso, so severely that he took himself to America, never to sing in Naples again.
Journeys Viaggio 