Music Trip - Venice, Florence, Rome, Paris

Venice - the home of Vivaldi, so of course we went to a concert in Vivaldi's church. It's right on the edge of one of the islands, the smell of the salty air very much present. We heard Four Seasons, the fastest, energertic version we've ever heard!. In Florence, we paid homage to the Medici family who were responsible, amongst many other well-known art patronages, for employing Bartholomeo Cristofori who was an instrument maker and who invented the pianoforte around 1700. Where would we be without him??? Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence had some wonderful examples of Medici court instruments from this time. We also went to the Teatro Maggico Musicale to hear a concert performance of Grieg's Peer Gynt, the first time we've ever heard it in the play format. In Rome, we heard Bruckner 5 at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, celebrating 200 years since his birth. We also visited St Cecelia's church, the patron saint of music, and actually heard some live music whilst we were there! In Paris, we saw Stravinsky's Rake's Progress at Palais Garnier in our very own box, just like royalty! We also heard the amazing bells of the newly reopened Notre Dame, and our absolute favourite, Mitsuko Uchida play with the Paris Philharmonie - we even met Uchida after her performance! 
​