Primavera a Venezia: Ancora Lunedi! Another Week

Mondays always bring a slightly different energy and perspective. Out of necessity we readjust after the weekend. This morning the masons working in the restoration of the old studio building next to us started back up at 8:00.........with their brick grinding equipment no less. Clearly a new work week has started!

We tackled the morning with a new method of poaching eggs in the microwave - with great success! How's that for an exciting start to the day? Today is also the day we decided to tackle the laundry. We remember from before that the Italian machines and directions were somewhat of a challenge, and they did not disappoint! In summary, we got through the wash cycles with no problem, but the dryer was not cooperating and we had to wait for Carlo to return from lunch. He banged on the top of it......then unplugged it and plugged it back in......and all was fine.

We also made our reservation for a water taxi to the airport on Thursday morning, but this also took some help from Carlo......and Marta......and the concierge, as the land lines were not working well this morning (good to know as I was sure we were goofing something up). Anyway, all set.

For lunch we went down to the San Giorgio Cafe, as the sun was breaking through periodically and we thought it would be nice to eat outside. Afterwards we went to a couple of exhibits here on the island organized by the Cini Foundation. The one on Chu Teh-Chun called 'In Nebula' was quite stunning........very large format abstract oil paintings that were quite powerful. The exhibit was in a renovated indoor swimming pool building that had been vacant for 30 years. The transformation of the building was incredibly well done. It was quite an experience.

By the time we got back we only had a couple of hours for some work, painting and a riposa........then off to a concert. The concert was Vivaldi's 'Le Quatro Stagione (4 seasons) and it was held in S. Maria della Visitazione on the Riva degli Schiavone. It was a remarkable setting, enhanced by Vivaldi's presence here 250 years ago.......as he was born in Venice. The concert is apparently held three times a week and is sold out months in advance. We now fully understand as the performance was extraordinary. The videos explain better than our words.

After the concert we headed over to the St. Regis Hotel (15 minute walk) to see if we could luck out and get a table in the outdoor patio. Their website said they were fully booked, but we gave it a shot........and totally lucked out with a great table right on the Grand Canal. This was an amazing experience and great end to day, but again we will defer to the photos.

Afterwards, growing rather weary, we hiked back across San Marco and over to the S. Zaccheria vaporetto stop.......and 15 minutes later we were hiking across San Giorgio to our apartment. It is so quiet and peaceful here on the island.......maybe 10-12 people living here right now.

LOTS OF GOOD VIDEOS TOWARDS THE END OF THIS BLOG!

Chu Teh-Chun

ANTONIO VIVALDI - LE QUATTRO STAGIONE

Before the main performance there was a wonderful introduction of a more modern piece by Giuseppe Vitale called Ciaccona in sol minore per violin, archi e basso continno.

This was followed by the Four Seasons......during which each season was accompanied by a different lighting color scheme in the church.

La Primavera - green
L.Estate - red
L'Autunno - orange
L'Inverno - blue

We also added videos of the encore performance. This was a major challenge because of the file size and the length, so we had to try to edit them down.......haha, very time consuming. If folks are not enamored with violin music, at least listen to the last one!

SPRING (PRIMAVERA)

SUMMER (ESTATE)

FALL (AUTUNNO)

WINTER (INVERNO)

FINALE

ADESSO PER LA CENA!