I spent yesterday afternoon and evening in Venice. Not the Venice of today, but La Serenissima, the Venie between the early 16th century and the fall of the Venetian Republic at the close of the 18th century.
The Portland Art Museum currently has an exhibit entitled Venice: The Golden Age of Art and Music. I actually went to entice thirty years ago so my memories are rather hazy. Yesterday made me want to go back. As my friend and I wandered we learned a little about Venice’s history and it’s place in the world of music, art and politics. She had been to Venice more recently and was able to add personal stories to things we saw. Along with the paintings, the exhibition includes prints, drawings, illuminated manuscripts and sculptures along with original period instruments and early music texts. This was my favorite musical instrument
an ancestor of the oboe, made of wood and covered in leather. It was about 3 or 4 feet long.
There is a digital tour if you would like to go too.
After the museum visot and dinner we attended a concert in the ballroom featuring Cappella Romana singing religious songs of the eriod composed by Baldassare Galuppi and Dmitri Bortniansky, and The Portland Baroque Orchestra performing Vivaldi. A beautiful day of art, followed by a sublime evening of music. It was truly a great way to begin Spring Break
booksandbassets 