Blogs from Florence, Tuscany, Italy, Europe - page 5

After a better night sleep for both of us, we were up and had breakfast in our apartment. We had bought some lovely fruit and yoghurt and also a baguette which we still had some cheese from Rome to eat with. I found the right coffee for the coffee device and heated up some milk to make myself a flat white (the Italians call this cappuccino). We then walked in towards the Duomo as we decided we wanted to at least go inside but at best walk up the Duomo so would see if that was possible. Firstly Janine wanted to sort oit her molbile phone at the Vodafone shop as she wanted to confirm just what she could use. After this we walked to the Duomo and spoke to someone that was selling tickets for ... read more

I woke around around 7:30 this morning so I could spend sometime on updating my blog. By 9 both Janine and I were up and after we had showers etc. we ventured out in search of breakfast. The first couple of places didn't appeal much but the third one seemed to have just what we needed. We both had a half toasted sandwich each with freshly squeezed orange juice. I had a cappuccino and Janine had a black tea. Very nice! We headed back to the apartment to finish packing and then checked out at 11:30am. We walked to the Metro stop near the Colosseum, stopping at the supermarket to pick up a fresh baguette and a bit more prosciutto. It was another hot, hot day today so we took our time. We bought our tickets ... read more

https://youtu.be/OhcMQCkQIJM As you face the choir I'm on the right, 4th row from top, next to a woman with puffy blond hair. John Rutter's Requiem. The movements are: 1. Requiem Aternam 2. Out of the Deep 3. Pie Jesu 4. Sanctus 5. Agnus Dei 6. The Lord is My Shepherd 7. Lux Aterna I loved singing this piece, so beautiful. The audience was so attentive. I'll cherish this memory.... read more

June 5, 2018 We had wine in the hotel bar last night to celebrate our wonderful concert, and getting up today was difficult. Another rehearsal today - from 0930 to 1330. It was grueling but we got through it and I feel much better about performing the Rossini piece. Brad Ellingboe did half the rehearsal and Peter Tiboris did the other half. It's difficult to get used to different methods of conducting from different people, and Peter Tiboris is not positive & encouraging like our other directors. I had lunch with Barb & Ernie at a small place down the street from our hotel. Then we had a walking tour to the Pitti Palace & Museum. Thing always seem so slow and disorganized with everything we do. This also applies to the disorganization for 'Line up ... read more

June 3, 2018 We had free time in the morning so Nancy, Diana, Mike & I walked to the Ponte Vechhio and then to Boboli Gardens. We entered at the far end (based on our walking route) and found out it was free on Sunday. We walked the length of the park and had a beautiful view of the city, then walked back anticipating a panini from the small place right next to our hotel. It was closed! I ended up at a place with a HUGE calzone. We had rehearsal from 1-4 in a room that was terrible for a choir rehearsal. We practiced Rutter for 2 hours and Rossini for 1 hour. Bradley Ellingboe led our Rossini rehearsal (we sang his Requiem in April). I had dinner with Nancy, Anita, and Dave, and then ... read more