Thursday, July 11, 2019

‘CANTIAMO’ LET’S SING- IN ITALY! ALONG THE ROAD TO MILAN – No.4 The Final


Opportunity to do some simple shopping in Italy

Buongiorno…welcome back to Cantiamo’s travels around beautiful Italy.  When I left you last, we were a bunch of choristers who had very quickly found our feet in Florence, so much so that by now, many of us had adapted well to the Italian way of life which involved sightseeing or shopping madly for a few hours then, understandably utterly exhausted from this strenuous activity and with the shops shutting their doors at one o’clock on the dot, popping back to the hotel for a bit of lunch and a rest, the sole purpose of which was to re-energise for the afternoon’s vigorous Florentine walking activities. 


Carb Loading ☺

As You Do
Though it is safe to say that Italians have never heard of the word ‘diet’, by now with many of the group struck down with a variety of ailments, the Italian culinary habit of carbo loading at every meal could well have been a blessing, for by now we were in need of every bit of energy we could muster,  particularly on this morning (Day 17) as we were on our way to help ‘prop up’ the Leaning Tower of Pisa (as you do)!



The 100 kilometers from Florence to Pisa through the Tuscan countryside with its undulating hills covered with vineyards, olive trees, avenues of cypress and small farms, is a part of Italy that had clearly received a big fat smooch from the fairy of beauty.  While there is no doubt the town of Pisa did contain its own medieval magic with historical churches, palaces and beautiful bridges spanning the River Arno, it was time constraints that prevented our group from heading anywhere other than the precinct of the Piazza dei Miracoli or Square of Miracles.  From the profusion of buses, cars, scooters and bikes in the parking zones, it was also the destination of three million other visitors who were keen for their own kodak moments and to be as amazed as we were by this impressive piece of Pisa. 


Situated within ancient fortified walls, this UNESCO world heritage site comprised the Baptistry, Cathedral and the Cathedral’s Bell Tower, its construction over a couple of hundred years begun in 1173, its noticeable lean becoming obvious nearer its completion.  A few of our energetic souls, assured of the Tower’s ability to withstand toppling, did climb the 257 steps to the top, Nos. 8 and 10 (Brian and Marina) recreating a photo taken at the bell’s chamber during a holiday back in 1984BC (before children).   Having  absorbed the sights, consumed a snack, captured on camera the scene from many angles and with a need to maintain our day’s schedule it was a quick count to preserve our flock before herding ourselves through untold tourists milling about souvenir stalls and back to the bus for the next leg to Le Roncole, a tiny village in the province of Parma and the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi.
Casa Verdi in Roncole 


This simple home, ‘Casa Natale del Maestro’ two hundred years ago a tavern and General Store run by Giuseppi’s father, is now regarded as a National Treasure where staff equipped our group with iPads for an interactive account of the daily activities of young Guiseppe and his family, a wonderful introduction to the life of this remarkable man.  “I was, I am and I will always be a countryman from Roncole” said the sign outside.  As humble as he was gifted and benevolent, we were soon to learn so much more of Verdi’s life upon reaching Milan. 

Before departing Le Roncole for Pavia, our next over-nighter still very much on this day’s itinerary, mention must be made of the tiny red poppy-like flowers which had been attracting admiring glances from bus windows throughout the length and breadth of our travels.  Tiny red wildflowers which made like Mexican waves along the roadsides or appeared from unexpected places in pastures.  On this day, a profusion of these poppies in a neighbouring farmer’s field was a photo opportunity too tempting to resist.  All I can say is that Farmer Filippo (not his real name), watching  a section of his field of barley flattened by unknowing frolicking females did show commendable control and we, extreme relief and repentance as we became the objects of his attention and made a swift exit!

Playing in the fields at Roncole 


The journey to Pavia was a delight taking us through rich farmland and many rice paddies highlighting the Italian sentiment that this area around the Po River Valley was ‘the rice capital of Italy’, particularly renowned for the Aborio variety.  There’ll be no prizes for guessing what was on the menu at our 4star accommodation in Pavia that night!

Statua della Minerva - Pavia 




After the buzzing hub of Florence, Pavia seemed like a cloak of quietness but lift the cloak and there was a lot going on encompassing the remnants of a long life, its history dating back to 572AD.  On a short stroll down the tree lined street to the main square, it was hard not to embrace the oldness of the architecture with cafes and shops lining the way nor the  continuing sad saga of No. 1 who by now had developed quite a bad chest infection and, outside a Pavian Apothecary had inadvertently broken her bottle of cough mixture spilling its sticky contents throughout her brand new leather bag.  











Day 18, and with our scheduled performance at the 10 o’clock Mass in the Church of Santa Maria della Carmine, it was an early checkout and a big hallelujah for the comparatively short walk to this 15th century church.  Though quiet on this Wednesday, the market stalls in the piazza outside the church spoke of the many great gatherings that may have once taken place.  Inside, with a mid-week congregation surprisingly large and despite the many muffled coughs and ahems from the choir, our voices soared to the majestic heights of this Gothic masterpiece.  Counterpoint to our euphoria was the disappointment  no more deeply felt than by our No. 11, (Alexis) that had we been one week earlier, we might have been part of an audience for the performance by the La Scala Symphony Orchestra under the baton of world renown conductor, Zubin Mehta, a giant of his craft.   
The Choir in Le Chiesa  di Pavia, Santa Maria  del Carmine 


Milan Cathedral
However, an hour later we were back on the bus and heading down the highway a short distance to Milan, Italy’s second largest city where we were elated to be spending the next 3 nights.  Having suffered extensive damage from allied bombings during WW11, today Milan stands as a testament to the human spirit that it is now a thriving metropolis.  Acclaimed for its culture, castles, cathedral, its banking and commerce, museums, fashion houses and its Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the world’s oldest shopping Mall and a mecca for shoppers, on our Day 19, it was for Milan’s famous Opera House, Teatro alla Scala that we were all making a beeline. Our guide, Ester was a font of information as we were guided through La Scala’s magnificent halls and galleries; a front-of-stage journey through one of the world’s most important Opera Houses and its most impressive museum collection of great composers, unforgettable singers and dancers who have called La Scala their ‘home’.  A sneak peek of the theatre from an Opera Box left many of us breathless.  For the remainder of the day, Milan was ours for the exploring.


Loving La Scala - Di Grace and Sue 



Our concert performance that evening was a 20kilometer bus ride to Uboldo, a tiny town north west of Milan overflowing with small town charm, bonhomie and our host at Talent House, Francesco, could not have been more gracious. It seemed that half the town had turned up for our performance, an audience no less gracious in showing their appreciation of our concert despite our struggles with their prized venue’s unforgiving acoustics and a performance akin to a Coughing Cacophony.  There were probably better ways to conquer colds than beverages of the strongish variety but by the time we arrived back at the hotel it was late, we were weary, cold and so it was the shortest route to the warmth of the bar area where we prattled on into the wee small hours  over a glass or two of prosecco.


The Choir  performing at  the Talent House in  Uboldo



The need to cast votes in Australia’s Federal Election sent a group on Day 20, our last in Milan,  to the underwhelming offices of the Australian Consulate, voting, a long and drawn out process which necessitated visits to neighbouring Starbucks to reminisce over hot coffee and await the last of our group. Luigi, our ever- reliable bus driver was Johnny-on-the-spot for our return in preparation for the remainder of that day’s activities. 






They say one should never go back, and while that may be true of some places, no trip to Milan could ever be complete without a rebound visit (for some on this trip, a first) to Casa Verdi.  I hope, dear readers, that you will forgive me if I borrow words from my 2011 report of our visit to this unforgettable place, for their depth of meaning have not diminished, my memories of this home, indelible.   

Casa Verdi in Milan 

Casa di Reposo per Musicisti Fondazione Verdi’ are the words engraved on the front of the home.  Verdi’s statue stands in the piazza in front of it and inside the home, his mortal remains lie in repose next to his wife, but according to the literature, ‘the commonly used name, ‘Casa Verdi’ grew out of another story: this is where the composer hosts his friends - the old musicians for whom Verdi had his home built and who do not enjoy economic independence; men and women left to face the most difficult years of their lives on their own’.  It is their ‘rest home’ and they are his ‘guests’ and today as many as 100 of these talented old souls live comfortably amid these beautiful surroundings.  To have been invited to visit this home, to wander the hallways and rooms and learn about the place where Guiseppe Verdi also wandered and composed was an unforgettable experience. To have been invited to perform for these gracious and talented old folk was indeed a privilege and the atmosphere, the sights and the sounds of Casa Verdi were pleasures in which we all gloried. 



Can't Help Falling in Love With You at Casa Verdi


It is truth that ‘upon entering one feels the need for an intimate, solemn prayer of the sort that he wrote for his operas’.  As we walked through the huge iron gates into the garden, from somewhere in a top floor room, we heard the dulcet sounds of a piano wafting down and it was not difficult to believe we were dreaming out loud.  While seemingly composed, our No. 20 must have been feeling somewhat overawed at having to accompany the choir on the magnificent grand piano donated by the great pianist, Vladimir Horowitz and his wife, Wanda Toscannini but as always, rose to the occasion with faultless accompaniment throughout  a sublime performance by the choir, arguably the best on tour.  To spend one’s final years in such a place, the sounds of music everywhere…that’s got to be hard to beat!!










Thank you Margaret ♥


On the evening of our last full day together in Italy, we gathered in our usual Milanese restaurant for our final dinner.  It was obvious from the outset that we were not going gently into that cold night for we supped, sipped, imbibed, laughed and recounted great times and in moments of sanity,  gave thanks to all who had made this tour the success that it had become.  













 It rained as we made our way back to the bus for our return to the hotel and was still raining early the following morning when a handful  boarded the bus for the airport and the long flight home via Singapore while others waited in preparation for further adventures around Europe and places beyond, all with wonderful memories and friendships to last a lifetime.

Alexis, for your incomparable compassion, inspiration, sensitivity and patience; for challenging us with songs so that every note was earned and, for the most part… right; for walking us into the world of music and showing us so much that we never want to leave it and for just being an all-round awesome person and the best in the business,  we give you our warmest thanks.

Alexis in La Scala 


Grazie mille to you all for joining me on this account of our ‘Cantiamo’ tour around Italy. Torna presto a trovarci, alla prossima, ciao ciaobut never say goodbye!

By: Sue Walker (No.25) 



What, More Carbs??!! 

Nola enjoying the  Galleria Vittoria
The Oldest Shopping Mall in the World
 
Reward for voting - Coffee

This guy prefers a small beer! 

Talent House in Uboldo 

Thank you Luigi our ever reliable bus driver - for getting  us to our destinations safely and on time.

Thank you Ondra  for guiding us through the maze
 of  old towns, directing us to the nearest and best
coffee shops, helping us hurdle the language barriers,
being the source of  endless information including 'height above sea level'.
Grazie Mille;  Děkuji 

Another Prosecco!






  Over the years, the Museum has stored the traces of the presence 

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