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Giacomo Puccini January 2010 Events in Lucca

Giacomo Puccini January 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 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

and
Mercoledì/Wednesday 27th JANUARY 2009, AT 21.15 – BASILICA DI SAN GIOVANNI
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMADEUS!”
special gala performance with
arias, duets and trios from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterworks
on Mozart’s 254th birthday

Tuscany – The eyes are the mirror of the soul

tuscan-sculptures — Artist Alessandro Cervizzi

Artist Alessandro Cervizzi express the ancient saying through the eyes of those he sculpts in terracotta. On can imagine him looking deep into the anima of the person, and the person looking back, full of expression and life.
Alessandro’s life-size children’s portrait sculptures in terracotta have the wiede-eyed wonder of youth but they are also deep in the wisdom and expressiveness which children evoke. His small commedia dell’arte masse figures, recalling the tradition of Goldoni are intensely human with their imperfections. They are fully and richly crafted to bring out the character’s individuality. All these sculptures are finely detailed, with lips that seem to breath, warm cheeks, hair and other feauteres that match the personality.
Alessandro works on private commissions, spending long hours in his workshop at Montecarlo, using photographs to help guide his hand as he forms the clay into flesh, but also meditating on the personalità that he wants to emerge from the raw material.
Never rushing, but entering into the spirito f a piece, enjoying communication with the emerging humanity this is his preferred way of working.
The studio is always open by appointment; it’s a beautiful villa location just beyond the mediaval walls of Montecarlo di Lucca.
You are welcome to stop by if you are passing, or even to make the trip, only 15 minutes from Lucca.
See the website www.alessandrocervizzi.it.

Tuscany – Christmas in Barga

I’ve always loved the Christmas Holidays both here and in the U.S. I have to admit, however, that in Italy there’s a much more festive feeling for a longer period and so many more traditions.

There are two i’d like to mention. One is the live Nativity representation in Barga on December 23 and one, more falily oriented, is making the coockies called befanotti, wich the Befana gives to children who’ve been “good” during the year. If they haven’t, they get charcoal.

The Nativity representation in Barga take place every year on December 23 starting after 9 p.m. It takes place trhough Barga’s lovely historic center and ends at the cathedral at about midnight when the bells ring out announcing the birth of baby Jesus. Everyone follows the two people representing Joseph and mary as they walk from hostelry to hosterly aking if there is room in the inn for them. Jospeh and mary are enacted by a young couple from the town. They are, of course dressed in period costumes and i have to say how well made the are. People follow them and the donkey and as they walk through the town, they can watch various crafts being dine by carpenters, shoemakers and weavers, al dressed in period costumes. Of course there are people roasting chestnuts over an open fire, making sausages and also the pancakes called necci and frittelle which are made from chestnut flour.
Nothing isa charged for. You are only asked to make a small offering to cover the expenses of organizing suach am important event.

Making befanotti i san important family tradition, especially for those living in the villages in the mountains. These are a kind of butter cookie made in various shake such as the Befana, animals, stars and trees. The Befana then distributes them through the village on the eve of the Epiphany.

Merry Christmas!

Tuscany – Radda in Chianti

Radda in Chianti is situated on Chianti hills, the territory preserved its charm from many time.
In the 50’s Radda knew the abandonment of its lands and its old farms, but with the rediscovery of the 70’s many old lands were reassessed and the production of olive oil and wine has become a valuable with subsequent recovery in activities of many small and big farms in the area (entirely within the limits of Chianti Classico). Alongside the production of wine and olive oil, which are known the excellent quality, new activities have emerged in recent years, field craft and small and medium industries, particularly in the construction industry, furniture, the traditional terracotta and ceramics.

Tuscany – Impruneta

The city is situated near Florence, between the valleys of Greve and Ema streams; Impruneta is “home of Tuscan terracotta and ceramics”.
The most important feature of Impruneta is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria. The basilica dates from 1060, being probably located over an ancient devotional site of Etruscan times (6th century BC). It was an important site of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages.
The basilica was bombed during World War II and now few of the original decorations can be seen. The museum connected to the basilica is home to one of the oldest known pieces of European patchwork, the so-called Impruneta Cushion, dating from the late 14th or early 15th centuries.
The current Madonna’s image is a heavy restoration by Ignazio Hugford from 1758.
The town’s Saint is St. Luc and the saint’s feast day (18th. Oct) is the highlight of a week-long festival with a Palio featuring Horse Racing a carnival and fireworks.

More informations on: www.impruneta.com