Well, I have! And it was delightful!~
(click on any photo to see better detail)
This wonderful man was singing as my aunt, my mother and myself approached the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice(http://www.scuolagrandesanrocco.it/) As we rounded a bend in the alley, we heard him singing classic Italian songs. As the songs unfolded, we became more enamoured of this man's stage presence. He was so lovely, really. So kind-hearted -- and classically, intensely passionate-- as many people frequently perceive Italians to be (the passionate part)!
After several songs and a pause, my mother approached him and began to talk in Italian to him. Whatever the exchange, you could tell he was appreciative of her compliments. He sang a little ditty to her and she danced daintily around him (my mom loves to dance).
We went inside and looked for a long while inside the Scuola (school) where many breath-taking paintings by Tintoretto cover both walls and ceilings. Inside the main room on the 2nd floor there was only one window, high up and covered with a wire grate. It was open but too high to see out.
After being inside quite some time we began to hear the man outside singing the classic operatic tidbit of "Nessun Dorma" (None Sleep), a piece made famous the world over by Pavarotti. It brings goose-bumps and tears whenever I hear it. My mother and I looked at each other and moved to the window. I stood there looking up at the window, listening with tears trickling down (trying not to but it was too moving to do otherwise, truly). Wow. In Venice and listening to someone singing Nessun Dorma so magnificently, while viewing INCREDIBLE art. What more could one ask for?!
After viewing the rest of the splended wooden "dociles"(magnificent carvings lining the 2nd floor walls) and various religious relics, altar pieces, etc. on the 3rd floor we depart the building. That is, my aunt and I do. My mother stays behind because she was accidently shocked by an electric rod on a window going to the 3rd floor that is designed to keep pigeons away. She decides she is going to let them know the sign was entirely too small and only posted on one of the windows and she is really unhappy getting such a shock.
Going out on the Scuola's steps my aunt and I see the singer, who has now loosened up the top buttons of his simple plaid shirt. He's wearing pressed jeans and an impeccably natty white straw fedora with red ribbon. We point and smile to each other, "Here is the singer, again!"
I ask my aunt to translate that while inside we heard him singing "Nessun Dorma" and it was so beautiful I cried. He is listening intently and at this smiles broadly, touching his heart in a gesture of appreciation and begins to animatedly describe how delighted he is just to perform for people...for strangers who seem to sit and enjoy what he sings for them. I don't understand all the words, but I know he is saying he gets equal, if not more pleasure in performing, as they do listening.
He (Giuseppe or "Joe"), takes my hand I offer in handshake, but then instead of shaking it "normally", turns it gently around in the gentlemanly manner of days long gone -- and kisses it instead... And then -- even more to my surprise he holds the hand-kiss for what seems an eternity!!! He finally gives it a final silent "MWAAAH!" and releases my hand.
Woah! What just happened?!
My hand has been kissed by this delightful Italian singer on the steps of this famous site for Tintoretto paintings! All I can say is it was perfectly lovely and felt like a profound connection in our humanity was made is about the best I can describe it. It made me feel wonderful for complimenting this charming, talented gentleman. It simply made the rest of my day in Venice even better!
If you get the chance to see Venice, my friend, you won't regret it. Walk it some -- don't just take the boat over to see the central grand plaza. Go explore the tiny alleys packed with myriads of shops, selling all manners of exquisite treats, murine glass jewelry, tapestries, linens, and of course the world-famous Venetian carnival masks and costumes!
(click on any photo to see better detail)
This wonderful man was singing as my aunt, my mother and myself approached the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice(http://www.scuolagrandesanrocco.it/) As we rounded a bend in the alley, we heard him singing classic Italian songs. As the songs unfolded, we became more enamoured of this man's stage presence. He was so lovely, really. So kind-hearted -- and classically, intensely passionate-- as many people frequently perceive Italians to be (the passionate part)!
We went inside and looked for a long while inside the Scuola (school) where many breath-taking paintings by Tintoretto cover both walls and ceilings. Inside the main room on the 2nd floor there was only one window, high up and covered with a wire grate. It was open but too high to see out.
After being inside quite some time we began to hear the man outside singing the classic operatic tidbit of "Nessun Dorma" (None Sleep), a piece made famous the world over by Pavarotti. It brings goose-bumps and tears whenever I hear it. My mother and I looked at each other and moved to the window. I stood there looking up at the window, listening with tears trickling down (trying not to but it was too moving to do otherwise, truly). Wow. In Venice and listening to someone singing Nessun Dorma so magnificently, while viewing INCREDIBLE art. What more could one ask for?!
After viewing the rest of the splended wooden "dociles"(magnificent carvings lining the 2nd floor walls) and various religious relics, altar pieces, etc. on the 3rd floor we depart the building. That is, my aunt and I do. My mother stays behind because she was accidently shocked by an electric rod on a window going to the 3rd floor that is designed to keep pigeons away. She decides she is going to let them know the sign was entirely too small and only posted on one of the windows and she is really unhappy getting such a shock.
Going out on the Scuola's steps my aunt and I see the singer, who has now loosened up the top buttons of his simple plaid shirt. He's wearing pressed jeans and an impeccably natty white straw fedora with red ribbon. We point and smile to each other, "Here is the singer, again!"
I ask my aunt to translate that while inside we heard him singing "Nessun Dorma" and it was so beautiful I cried. He is listening intently and at this smiles broadly, touching his heart in a gesture of appreciation and begins to animatedly describe how delighted he is just to perform for people...for strangers who seem to sit and enjoy what he sings for them. I don't understand all the words, but I know he is saying he gets equal, if not more pleasure in performing, as they do listening.
He (Giuseppe or "Joe"), takes my hand I offer in handshake, but then instead of shaking it "normally", turns it gently around in the gentlemanly manner of days long gone -- and kisses it instead... And then -- even more to my surprise he holds the hand-kiss for what seems an eternity!!! He finally gives it a final silent "MWAAAH!" and releases my hand.
Woah! What just happened?!
My hand has been kissed by this delightful Italian singer on the steps of this famous site for Tintoretto paintings! All I can say is it was perfectly lovely and felt like a profound connection in our humanity was made is about the best I can describe it. It made me feel wonderful for complimenting this charming, talented gentleman. It simply made the rest of my day in Venice even better!
If you get the chance to see Venice, my friend, you won't regret it. Walk it some -- don't just take the boat over to see the central grand plaza. Go explore the tiny alleys packed with myriads of shops, selling all manners of exquisite treats, murine glass jewelry, tapestries, linens, and of course the world-famous Venetian carnival masks and costumes!
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| The drama of an exquisite Venetian mask shop |
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| Some famous domed church landmark in the distance! |
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| The famous Lion(symbol of Venice) in St. Mark's Square |
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| The luck capturing three costumed gondoliers at once! |
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| a typical Venetian canal and bridge |
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