For many of us, the emotional connection to Sicily is not necessarily musical. Mine began as a lad, when I for some reason was offered Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s totally beautiful Il Gattopardo to read. I wish I could remember who suggested I read it, for I’ve been indebted to that person for many years. …
Feeding the Soul in Palermo: “Rigoletto”
Tuesday 24 November 2009 [Some postings after the fact due to spotty Internet access.] Is Mr. Guy ever any happier than when he is at the opera? Probably not, and opera in Italy seems to push all the right buttons. The enthusiasm of the musicians, and of the audience, the almost embedded respect for the …
Mosaics and Manuscripts (Rev.)
Monday 23 November 2009 [Some postings after the fact due to spotty Internet access.] If, as is purported to be the case, Ibn Jubry in the 12th century said of Palermo, “it dazzles the eyes with its perfection,” he might have been right. Indeed, one of my colleagues continued the idea as we approached the …
Rome & Sicily: Impressions of a Different Kind
Sunday 22 November 2009 [Some postings after the fact due to spotty Internet access.] It would be hard to imagine a greater contrast than my experiences in Nairobi and the visit I’ve embarked upon in Italy. The transfer out of Nairobi was easy, the process very simple (in fact, I was thinking I wouldn’t mind …
Kenya Interruptus
Some First Impressions Leaving Kenya for a couple of weeks, as I have an assignment in Sicily and Rome to deal with – a very pleasant assignment, obviously. But as the commitment was made before I came to Nairobi, I must be away from Kenya and interrupt my work and the very nice lifestyle that …