Saracen Joust, Cortona, Baroque flute and more...

The view from Cortona



Town Hall in the Main Piazza of Cortona



Stefano and one of his many passions, which include Baroque flute, fine wine, cigars and brandy.



Stefano playing the Powell.



Go Porta Crucifera!!!



The two images directly above are both from the Saracen Joust in Arezzo this past week. Thousands of people came from all over for this event and the streets were packed. Just imagine a bunch of Italians screaming at a bunch of guys on horses with crossbows. TOO. MUCH. FUN!

For more pictures of this, check out my facebook page as I should have some more up soon.

Also this week, I saw my flute teacher here in Arezzo, Stefano Fanticelli, give a concert on Baroque flute with a modern flute and portative organ. The concert was in the limonaia at il melone, a resort with a hotel and restaurant. The concert was almost all Baroque music and included a free wine tasting afterwards by Ruffino wines.

After the concert, Dr. Britt suggested we go to dinner in Cortona as we were only about 10 minutes away. The hill town has gorgeous views and we got some delicious ravioli for a decent price at a family-owned restaurant Dr. Britt had been to a couple times before (other previous diners included Robert Redford and the foreign girl from Law & Order). Overall, a very nice night.

Tuesday was my first lesson with Stefano...he showed up on his motorcycle sporting aviators and a popped collar. We had a 2-hour lesson in the music studio of the Upper Cazina (the room has flowing curtains and multiple windows with views of the Tuscan countryside...basically, I can't imagine a more inspiring place for a lesson). He gave me diaphram exercises to work on and had me play on his Baroque instrument (a Powell) for a bit. I'm still working on Griffes and Copland for my recital and he picked the Bach C Major Sonata and some orchestra excerpts for me to look at (a Bach overture and Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun).

Last night we had a Cabaret with the theater students. Lots of fun monologues, poetry readings and musical acts- both funny and serious. I played Katherine Hoover's Kokopeli for Solo Flute. We also discovered our new favorite gelato place, called Sunflower...this particular gelateria includes flavors such as chocolate, grapefruit, fig, blackberry and some others I couldn't read...all were delicious.

Tomorrow is a day trip to Florence for the music students to see Santa Croce and Santa Maria di Fiore.

Ciao!