Tuesday
30th October
Murano
Murano
is known as the glass capitol of the world and today we discovered
why. We caught the canal bus from the main island to Murano and then
walked and walked, visiting the glass museum and numerous glass shops
and factories. Seeing hand blown glass from the first century through
to modern garden sculptures was a treat.
After
a coffee break we headed again by Boat, to the Island of San
Michelle, which our friend Andy in Germany advised us to visit. We
spent a few more hours wandering this huge island cemetery. Jim paid
a visit to Igor Stravinsky's grave. Ten meters from here was the
tomb stone of Diaghilev where visitors had left flowers and a
collection of used ballet slippers.
We
continued our wanderings back on the main island, happily getting
lost and finding our way again.
Tonight
we attended a performance in and old church, just off St Marks
Square, of music by Vivaldi including the Four Seasons. It was a
chamber ensemble performance and started a little shaky but by the
second movement of the main work things were rattling along. It was
a real treat to hear the music of Vivaldi performed just meters away
from where it was originally composed. After the concert we wandered
into St Marks square and were entertained by the chamber ensembles
that are set up at each of the main restaurants on the square. A
beautiful balmy night, perfect for music al fresco.
