Joyce "Wed. concert"

Our accommodations have been super.  In Florence we stayed in a converted monastery right in the center of town, but quiet.  We had beautiful stone floors and wooden shutters on the Windows.  My view was of the Academia and I could see paintings in progress.  It's a Museum and still an art school as well.

  

There are only 26 people on the  tour and I have been lucky enough to have my own room.  We have a large tour bus and we can have two seats to spread out and have a little personal space. The people on the tour are super and there is lots of silly fun and teasing.I know most if their names already.   The advantages of a tour is that we can get into museums really fast and don't have to wait in line. And the art guides have been incredibly informative. I have learned a ton. We also have free time to do what we want. 

Last night six of us went out to dinner and then went to hear two opera singers and a fabulous pianist perform romantic opera duets.  The venue was a small English church.  We were in the third row and could hear every sigh and see every bead of sweat. The pianist was a Dutch gentleman who also played some Liszt and Chopin... seemingly effortlessly. When the soprano hit a high "C", my ear drum rattled.  They also danced together. The tenor looked like a young, stout Pavarotti.  He was a bit of a ham and relished the applause. When we left,  they shook everyone's hand at the door.  I told the pianist I loved the Chopin and he seemed pleased.  It was an amazing evening. Joyce