italian holidays with a difference

the operatic olive l’oliva operistica

 

Consider this special holiday in the Florentine hills. Uncover the origins, explore the history and experience the passion of opera with Francesca Lanza, soprano, and Diego Mingolla, pianist, musicologist and composer.

Our quirky itinerary includes explorations to Florence to see Palazzo Bardi, the cradle of opera, and to the nearby town of Lastra A Signa to visit Villa Bellosguardo, residence of the great Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso. Then there’s a medley of private concerts in various locations: operatic repertoire across the centuries - from the baroque “recitar cantando” to contemporary works, coloratura arias from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and Bellini’s Puritani to Bernstein’s flamboyant aria of Cunegonde (Candide) …

In between there will be time to walk in the gorgeous surrounding hills, sample Italian cuisine and Chianti delights, and simply enjoy staying in a historic 18th century villa complex that was originally owned by the Prime Minister of Tuscany, a direct ancestor of the present owners. Contact us for further details.