Second series, Year III No. 2 - March 2018 G R WHA 8-pa T’S ON IN& AR ge f A old-out calendar! TUSCANY’S P The ma E OUND who liv MAGAZINE V – orwishthe gazine f I e inT N with thesponsorshipof or those uscany E y did € 2.50 Editorial 2018March Dear Readers, Springtime is finally on its way, though these last days of February have brought snowy chilling-to-the-bone weather, even to south- For food lovers and professionals alike, daily cooking classes: fresh pasta Contents ern Italy! Italians are also feeling the chill of the approaching and sauces, fish and seafood, Tuscan specialties, risotto, pizza, focaccia, Hands-on classes in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Participants cook the March 4th elections, but let's not talk about that. Par condicio dishes themselves, then enjoy these with plenty of wine and home-made Direttore Responsabile is an Italian fairness policy meaning that all the liqueurs. Highly recommended by Tripadvisor! Giuseppe Brandani Art/Music/Books/Beauty candidates should be treated equally by the press, especially in Monday to Sunday 10am to 2.30pm. Afternoon classes upon request. The Three Tenors Are Back! 5 these last crucial days. So for those who can do so, let me Editor just say, please vote! Info: www.cucina-italiana.com Norma Jean Bishop Laura Ziegler, Retrospective 09 Via di Sant’Alessio no. 3684, Lucca Tel 0583 329970 – 338 6718641 The Futurists and Engraving 10 Our Grapevine writers this month bring you beautiful gar- Contributors Giancarlo Pellegrini, Abstract Expressionist 24 dens and flowers, camellias in particular, that will no doubt La Cantina Di Carignano Restaurant Helen Askham inspire you to visit the Compitese hills, Marlia's Villa Reale, Tasting menus Joanne Bartram Open every day for lunch and dinner. Special menus prepared by Chef Paolo Monti for you. Special Dinner with Norma Jean Bishop or Lucca's Palazzo Pfanner, in what we hope will be sunny Typical Tuscan trattoria with local specialties: zuppa di farro, tordelli demo in the cooking class Chiara Calabrese Traditions & History days. After you fall into that dreamy state that gardens lucchesi, wild boar pasta, porcini, asparagus, artichokes. Specialties from kitchen, by reservation only. [email protected] Judith Edwards invoke, you may soon after lift yourself up with utopian the charcoal grill: Bistecca alla Fiorentina (T.Bone steak), lamb, mixed Morena Guarnaschelli Camellias 4 thoughts, to join what Shimon Shemtov calls “A New grill. Specialized in seafood dishes, with fresh fish every day! Tuscan Sun Apartments Francis Pettitt Utopia, Italy: Festival for Courageous Dreamers,” this year dedicated to Donna Pilletere Martin Luther King, Jr. In the green Lucca countryside, ten minutes from the city center and Jenny Schutz A New Festival for Courageous Dreamers 8 adjacent to the cooking school, four newly remodeled Tuscan style Shimon Shemtov In Homage to Women 23 Living in Lucca we are blessed by a continuous round of con- apartments. Terracotta floors, Karen Vander certs and art exhibits, as well as markets and fairs. There's no Letizia Vita wooden beam ceilings, wrought- end of things to do. Student writer Letizia Vita has put iron beds, cooking facilities … but Marketing Food & Drink together a very useful summary of the markets that we can with all modern comforts: private & Distribution Recipes & Remembrances, Ivana 22 enjoy throughout the year. On the other hand, if you are look- bathrooms, telephones, air-con, Claudia Casoli ing for something a little different, join us at the Women's free Wi-Fi, 32” flat screen TV. Diana Gatti Day celebrations in Bagni di Lucca, where the local spirit of Info: www.tuscansunapartments.com Nicola Girolami participation is surprisingly well developed. Seeing so many Silvano Simi House & Garden tel 0583 329970 artists past and present may awaken the inner artist in us all. Via di Sant'Alessio n. 3684, Lucca Adam Walker The Garden at Palazzo Pfanner0 6 While you are living in this beautiful country, whether for days or for years, if you feel inspired, please write to Grapevine. We Spotlight look forward to seeing you at our weekly encounters (see the Lucca’s Fantastic Markets 20 “Meet-Up” groups in our What's Up section, on page 18), or to reading about your experiences! This being the month of St. Patrick, let me share this traditional Irish blessing, partic- Events of the Month 11-18 ularly apt for those of us who are far from “home”: Markets, Museums & Monuments, Venues May the road rise up to meet you. What's On: Music, Art & Exhibitions May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, Traditions, Sagras, Sports, Children, and rains fall soft upon your fields. Cinema, Conferences And until we meet again, POOL CONSTRUCTIONPOOL SHOP May God hold you in the palm of His hand. POOL MAINTENANCE Bilingual Crossword 19 Tante buone cose! Cover: Umbrellas over Tonfano Properties for Sale 25, 26, 28 – Norma (Lido di Camaiore) 27 by Norma Jean Bishop Professionals Tuscany’s Grapevine Magazine by Grapevine Editions Registered office: Via Guinigi, 22 - Lucca 55100. Visit us at Via dell’Angelo Custode 3A. Mobile +39 333 8617962 - [email protected] - www.luccagrapevine.com P. IVA 02416230460 - C.F. BSHNMJ48C65Z404D. Iscrizione CCIAA - LU 223932. Registrazione Tribunale di Lucca n° 4, 23 Feb. 2016. © Tuscany’s Grapevine Magazine © What’s On In & Around Printed by Luminarprint srl - Calcinaia (PI). Articles/photos for consideration may be submitted to the Editor. Advertising in editorial form o f f s e t & d i g i t a l p r i n t i n g may also be submitted for inclusion. Pages enclosed with a frame contain paid submissions. Luminarprint S.r.l. Via Gramsci, 11 LUNATA - LUCCA tel. 0583.429333 - fax 0583.429158 The listings published in Grapevine are taken from reliable sources and reproduced in Fornacette di Calcinaia - Pisa good faith. However, to avoid disappointment, readers are advised to check information cell 327 6548857 - 393 3324288 [email protected] www.systems-pool.com before setting off. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of [email protected] the Direttore Responsabile. www.luminarprint.it 2 Tuscany’s GRAPEVINE Magazine March 2018 Tuscany’s GRAPEVINE Magazine March 2018 3 The Three Tenors Thank you, Camellia are back! was lucky when I bought my festival where one can fully appreciate the n the heart of Florence, near the place in Longoio back in 2005 to variety of flower forms and colours of this Ponte Vecchio, there stands the I also have two ornamental trees perfume-less plant. A shuttle bus takes you beautiful church of Santo included in my small garden: a to the camellias – this is the only way to get Stefano al Ponte. The church Japanese maple, which turns a there, as the narrow roads would otherwise wasI originally constructed around the Claudio Sassetti flaming red in autumn, and an evergreen soon be clogged up with private cars! The twelfth century in Romanesque style, One of the three tenors, Claudio Sassetti, is camellia which, come wind and rain, Camellarium is spectacular at this time, the but in the fourteenth century the exterior was renovated, and from Bagni di Lucca. After graduating from the Istituto Musicale produces red and white flowers by mill-stream walk is delightful, the between 1631 and 1655 the interior was also renovated to convert Luigi Boccherini he started a brilliant concert and operatic career. February. This year, the flowers have exhibitions are most informative, there are the three original aisles into an open hall. A masterpiece of Since then, he has sung all over Italy, with a wide repertoire of arrived later because of the cold weather many stalls selling local products, and architecture, the church houses important artwork such as the roles, in operas primarily by Puccini and Donizetti but also by and only now can they be appreciated in there are also musical events. (Last time I Buontalenti staircase with a marmoreal balustrade of 1575. The Pergolesi, Rossini, Verdi, Mozart and even Britten. As early as their loveliness. To see the camellia bloom heard a delightful recital on the harp.) magnificently decorated place is worth a visit, even more so, if you 2001, he performed in front of the Belgian queen, on the occasion after the monotone rigours of winter truly But why was this area chosen for consider that it is presently used as a concert hall where, believe it of the International European Museum of the Year Award. Mestro brings hope into one's heart. camellias? The fact is that the climate is or not, you can attend concerts of The Three Tenors! Sassetti has also featured in Monteverdi's Coronation of Poppea, Camellias originate in eastern and ideal for them. The English ex-pats of the Inspired by the world-renowned three tenors Luciano broadcast by the national TV channel Rai 2. In the Spring of 2016, southern Asia and were introduced into nineteenth century, escaping from the If you fancy your cup of tea, not only Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras, and as a tribute to he joined The Three Tenors and started a successful and intense torrid summer of the Tuscan plains, can you buy delicious camellia tea but you Europe during the eighteenth century. The Luciano Pavarotti, the concert regularly held in the church features period of concerts with them, touring all over Italy. discovered this and introduced the can even have the ultimate Italian tea plant is a member of the camellia family opera arias from La Traviata, Rigoletto, Tosca and Neapolitan For upcoming concerts and ticket information, browse and, indeed, the expansion of the tea trade camellia to these hills.