La Preghiera Blog

Etruscan tomb unearthed in Perugia

2008-08-12T03:08:00.000-07:00

An ancient Etruscan tomb has resurfaced after centuries underground during the course of building work in the central Italian city of Perugia.
The tomb, which has been preserved in excellent condition, contains seven funerary urns, the municipal archaeology department said.
It is in the shape of a square and was covered by a sheet of travertine marble, which had apparently remained untouched since being laid centuries ago.
The tomb is split into two halves by a pillar and there are two benches running along each side.
The funerary urns, which were placed on the benches, were marked with brightly coloured mythological and religious motifs.
A preliminary study suggests that writing on the side of the urns probably refers to a family that was called the Aneis.
In addition to the urns, the tomb also housed the remains of a bronze bed and various pottery shards.
The site was discovered during digging work for a new roundabout in the Strassacapponi neighbourhood on the outskirts of the Umbrian town.
The Etruscans are believed to have formed the first advanced civilisation in Italy, based in an area called Etruria, corresponding largely to present-day Tuscany, Umbria and northern Lazio.
By the sixth century BC they had become the dominant force in central Italy, but repeated attacks from Gauls and Syracusans later forced them into an alliance with the embryonic Roman state, which gradually absorbed Etruscan civilization.
Although the Etruscans had the upper hand in the early days and supplied Rome with the last three of its first seven kings including the famous Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud), the archaeological record of their once sweeping presence in central Italy is scanty compared with that of other civilisations.
Some historians have posited that the Romans actively tried to wipe out the traces of their predecessors, whose sensual and fun-loving approach to life contrasted with the spartan, austere and rigidly patriarchal life of the early Roman republic.
Most of what we know about their civilisation is based largely on archaeological finds, since much of their language has yet to be deciphered.

http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/umbria/etruscan-tomb-unearthed-perugia

Festival del Sole

2008-07-27T01:42:00.000-07:00

It is a triumph of all that is best about Italy. Music, art, wine, food and literature take centre stage among the narrow streets and vineyard-strewn slopes of Cortona during the Festival del Sole from August 2 to 10.

Now in its sixth season, the Festival is the brainchild of Barrett Wissman, head of arts management corporation IMG Artists, who first launched it in 2001 to celebrate “the art of life.”This year, stars of the Bolshoi Ballet will open the event with an outdoor performance against the ancient tower and elegant palazzos of Piazza Signorelli, one of Cortona’s most scenic squares. Alexander Volchkov, Maria Allash and other soloists will dance old favourites from the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Cinderella and Don Quixote. It is the first time that ballet is included in the festival’s programming and, in the words of Wissman himself, “what better way to do that than to start with the renowned Bolshoi.”

Music on the other hand has long been the mainstay of the event, and this year’s packed calendar hardly disappoints. Tenor José Cura and soprano Ana Maria Martinez will sing some of Puccini’s most yearning arias—the heart breaking E lucean le stelle, from Tosca, Un bel dì vedremo from Madama Butterfly and Che gelida manina from La Boheme. Soprano Danielle de Niese and the Venice Baroque Orchestra will perform a selection of Handel’s concertos and arias, and violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Natasha Paremski will play Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi.Wissman has also drafted in actors Gabriele Lavia and Robert Redford to read poems by Giacomo Leopardi and Robert Frost, marked by the mellow notes of Nicola Luisotti on the piano. And at lunchtime, Piazza della Repubblica will turn into an open-air theatre staging free concerts by the UBS Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra. Pianist Piotr Anderszewski, together with Joshua Bell and the Verbier orchestra, will close the Festival with pieces by Mozart, Wagner and Mendelsshon.

“The Tuscan Sun Festival is a unique annual celebration of the arts set against the backdrop of the beautiful landscape of Tuscany,” says Wissman. “We are honoured to present this international festival every year and to once again welcome such a stellar list of artists to Cortona.”

But the Festival del Sole titillates the eye and the palate as much as the ears. Behind the sober façade of the Chiesa di Sant’Agostino, artist Sybille Szaggars will bring The Shape of Colour to life with her abstract paintings. The convent next door will be home to the Espontaneas exhibition of photographs by tenor José Cura, which focus on friendship, human dignity, poverty, old age, loneliness. It will also be the backdrop to cooking demonstrations by local chef Donatella Balducci, who will tease the tastebuds with nettle ravioli, lamb fricassee and almond brittle.Art will also meet wine at the 13th century Palazzo Casali, where twenty-one artists, including Mimmo Rotella and Mark Kostabi, will display their works exploring music in art, while the Wine Consortium of Cortona, restaurateur Tonino and local shop Delizie Toscane will hold tastings of velvety wines, creamy cheeses and flavoursome cold cuts. And should this not suffice, there will also be wellness sessions, literary lectures and tai-chi every day around town.
To buy tickets to Festival del Sole performances,call

+44 (0)20 8133 5571 (UK),

+1 646 797 2915 (US)

+39 0575 606 887 (Italy).

For further information visit the festival’s website,

www.festivaldelsole.com.

Jazzy 35th birthday for Umbria Festival

2008-07-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Umbria's renowned jazz festival kicks off this weekend, with another dazzling line-up of top Italian and international stars from the world of modern music.Umbria Jazz, the largest European event of its kind, gets under way on Friday morning with a traditional street parade through Perugia's medieval centre, led by the New Orleans-based Coolbone Brass Band.The festival, celebrating its 35th birthday this year, still refuses to be pigeonholed, insisting on a mix of old and new, as well as a variety of jazz-related genres spanning experimental, instrumental, vocal, pop and rock.The top international names appearing include legendary jazz greats such as tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins in his only European performance of the summer and pianist Herbie Hancock.Stars from a slightly younger generation range from the celebrated guitarist Pat Metheny, through award-winning vocalist Chaka Khan, to R&B singer-songwriter Alicia Keyes.

Alternative rock band R.E.M. will play the festival's closing concert on July 20.But as well as giants from the US jazz scene, the festival also promises a host of Italian greats.Top of the list is Italy's most famous jazzman, trumpeter Enrico Rava, who will perform a tribute to Chet Baker on the 20th anniversary of his death.Internationally acclaimed pianist Stefano Bollani will appear alongside Brasilian guitarist and singer Caetano Veloso in an unexpected and keenly awaited pairing.Other names on the program include jazz clarinettist Gabriele Mirabassi, saxophonist Stefano di Battista with trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso, and the pianists Ramberto Ciammarughi, Danilo Rea and Riccardo Arrighini.Umbria Jazz, which was founded in 1973 by Carlo Pagnotta, will host around 300 concerts over 10 days.As usual, it takes place in a variety of different venues throughout the region, including public squares, gardens, theatres, monuments and even restaurants, although the big-name events are staged in the open-air Santa Giuliana Arena in Perugia.Events at the arena require tickets but many of the festival's other events are free.Throughout the festival, two outdoor platforms stand at either end of Perugia's central thoroughfare with free concerts of accessible, popular jazz music.In total, around 30 concerts are staged each day, running from late morning until well past midnight.
Umbria Jazz runs from July 11 until July 20.

For more information and a complete program visit the festival's website at:
http://www.umbriajazz.com/

Cannes prize winners thank Italy

2008-06-02T14:55:00.001-07:00

The producers of the two Italian films that gained major honours at Cannes, Il Divo and Gomorrah, have thanked Italy for giving a lifeline to independent cinema.
Gomorrah, adapted from the Roberto Saviano bestseller of the same name, gave Cannes audiences a revealing picture of the Naples Mafia, the Camorra.
Il Divo, a nickname of ex-Christian Democrat premier Giulio Andreotti, provided an eye-opening portrait of the controversial statesman.
Gomorrah's producer Domenico Procacci said the gangland expose', directed by Matteo Garrone, could not have been made without the support of the Italian culture ministry.
''You can't rely on the market to make films like Garrone's,'' he said.
He said the ministry and other big funders like the public broadcaster RAI ''have worked very well in the past few years''.
Andrea Occhipinti, producer of Il Divo, said ''this backing has been fundamental for recent Italian movie-making,'' citing a string of festival hits that have spurred talk of a mini-renaissance for Italian cinema.
Il Divo, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, won the jury award, Cannes' third prize.
Gomorrah picked up the second-highest laurel, the grand prize.
It was Italy's best result at Cannes since two films shared the Golden Palm in 1972 - Francesco Rosi's The Mattei Affair and Elio Petri's The Working Class Goes To Heaven.
This year's Golden Palm went to a French film for the first time since 1987, Lauren Cantet's The Class.
Italy last won the Palme d'Or in 2001 with Nanni Moretti's The Son's Room.

Assisi Steps Back to the Middle Ages for the Calendimaggio

2008-05-04T01:55:00.000-07:00

Assisi
From May 8th to 10th the clocks in Assisi
will be turned back over 500 years for the city’s
Calendimaggio Medieval pageant, with people dressed in period
costume, processions, performers playing on period
instruments, archers, flag-throwers and more...
This important event will bring to Umbria thousands
of visitors from Italy and worldwide.
It is one of the most important events
to take place this year in the area.

Biagio Antonacci in Perugia

2008-04-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

Perugia.

The popular Italian singer Biagio Antonacci will be performing at the Palasport Evangelisti on April 17th at 9.20pm, as part of his tour to promote his latest album "VICKY LOVE"
Info: Musical Box – Agenzia di Spettacoli

tel. 075 5056950 – 5156508.

Aperitivo in Musica 2008

2008-04-06T11:56:00.001-07:00

Perugia

This year's edition of Aperitivo in....musica,
now in its 10th edition, is now in full swing until April 20th, with a series of appointments featuring music, cocktails and refreshments. The city's bars, wine bars and meeting places are busily celebrating this event.

Perugia- the World Poetry Day

2008-03-20T02:45:00.000-07:00

Italy and all countries that adhere to the United Nations Unesco programme celebrate the World Poetry Day on March 21st, the first day of Spring and a day dedicated to the elimination of all racial discrimination. The day was instituted in 1999 and is also a chance for smaller publishers who promote young poets to emerge

Cittaslow in Festival Dinner Music

2008-03-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

Orvieto

Now in its 10th edition, the Cittaslow Dinner Music, food and music festival will run from February 9th to March 15th at the La Penisola restaurant jazz club on the shores of Lake Corbara. Guests include Mimmo Locasciulli, Rita Marcotulli, Andy Sheppard, Antonello Salis, Fabrizio Bosso, Roberto Gatto, Sparagna and Joy Garrison.

International Women's Day

2008-03-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

Best wishes on Saturday 8th May to all the women of the world,

with special recognition for your dedication to your work,

your home and your family,

and thank you to each and every one of you for being.... you!

Ryanair flights to Perugia Sant Egidio airport on Saturday

2008-03-07T03:15:00.000-08:00

Ryanair are introducing flights to Perugia(Umbria)

Flights are currently available from 1p so get booking!

Perugia airport

only 30 minutes drive away from La Preghiera Estate

Discounts up to 25% if you book and confirm before March 15th

and up to 20% before the end of March

Offer applies for a stay of 3 nights or longer any time from March - April 2008

www.airport.umbria.it

www.lapreghiera.com

Carnival in Umbria 2008

2008-02-01T04:32:00.000-08:00

Perugia.

This year's Carnival festivities will officially end on February 5th,

although on February 9th Trevi will be holding its Carnevale dei Folli

and there will be an event on February 10th in Foligno.

Every village will also have a carnival party for the children

with a parade of adorned floats and cars and prizes for the most original.
The typical carnival sweet is the "castagnola",

deep fried lumps of sweet dough, which are dribbled with honey

and accompanied by a drink of thick hot chocolate!

The winter edition of Terni in Jazz

2008-01-17T00:58:00.000-08:00

Terni.

The winter edition of Terni in Jazz,

organised by the Charlie Cultural Association,

will run from October 20th to March 1st

with a host of prestigious international guests

from Joel Frahm to Gary Novak, Joe Locke, Ed Simon,

Joe La Barbera, Michael Rosen, Omer Avital

and many more...
e-mail: info@terniinjazz.com.

The Ceremony of the kissing of the Child in "Santa Maria degli Angeli".

2008-01-11T02:20:00.000-08:00

Assisi (Perugia).

The traditional Kissing of the Child ceremony,

held each year at the chapel of the Nativityin

the Basilicaof Santa Maria degli Angeli,

will take placeon January 13th between 3 to 7pm.

Charity Concert for El Problets in Lugnano

2007-12-24T02:54:00.000-08:00

Lugnano in Teverina (Tr).

A charity concert by local musicians together

with a Spanish ensemble from El Problets

is planned for December 29th at 9pm.

The concert aims to raise funds to help the families

in El Problets cope with the devastation

wreaked by the flood last October.

Best wishes from La Preghiera

2007-12-23T01:24:00.000-08:00

From all of us at La Preghiera
Best wishes for Christmas
Let's join together and
hope for harmony in 2008

Musica Senza Frontiere 2007

2007-12-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

Perugia.

This year's Musica Senza Frontiere Festival,

is currently running in Perugia.

Organised by the Namaste Clarinet Quartet

with the aim of offering performers from Italy

and abroad the opportunity to show their talents.

The festival will run from September 22nd to December 15th

located in a number of venues

and will feature a broad range of musical styles.

Zucchero in Perugia

2007-11-20T00:40:00.000-08:00

Perugia.

The world famous Italian blues singer Zucchero

will be in concert in Perugia on November 29th as part of his FLY,

come possiamo volare con le aquile se siamo contornati da tacchini

album tour.

Marking the 800th Anniversary of the Birth of St Elisabeth

2007-11-12T03:04:00.000-08:00

Assisi (Perugia).

This is the first of two years of celebrations

to mark the 8th centenary of the birth of St Elisabeth of Hungary

and Thuringia (1207-2007),

the patron saint of the Secular Franciscan Order.

On November 16th and 17th there will be a number of events

in the basilicas of St Francis' and Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi.

White Truffle Market Fair in Gubbio

2007-11-06T07:50:00.000-08:00

Gubbio (Perugia). Now in its 26th edition, the Mostra Mercato Nazionale del tartufo bianco e dei prodotti agro-alimentari , where visitors can taste this region's prized white truffle and a host of other local culinary and farming delicacies, will run from October 31st to November 4th in the old town centre. Info: Comunità Montana "Alto Chiascio" tel. 075.923041, IAT Gubbio tel. 075.9220693, fax 075.9273409

Eduardo Frota Installation in Umbertide

2007-10-29T04:22:00.000-07:00

Umbertide (in the province of Perugia). Entitled Uma Experiência para Espaço,Tempo e Lugar,na Rocca de Umbertide, the exhibition by Brazilian artist Eduardo Frota will be open to the public up until October 31st at the fortress of Umbertide contemporary arts centre. This market town has an interesting town centre, bars and restaurants, and a bustling market on Wednesdays.

Eduardo Frota en Umbertide, en la provincia de Perugia
Se titula Una Experiencia para Espacio, Tiempo y Lugar, se lleva a cabo en La Rocca de Umbertide, y es una exposición realizada por el artista contemporaneo brasileño Eduardo Frota, abierta al público hasta el 31 de octubre, en la fortaleza de Umbertide. La pequeña ciudad tiene un centro histórico interesante, bares y restaurantes, y un bullicioso mercado todos los miércoles de mañana.

Truffles and Local Produce Market in Città di Castello

2007-10-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

Città di Castello (in the province of Perugia). The old town centre of Città di Castello will be livened up by stands selling quality farm produce and truffles from October 31st to November 4th. Visitors will also enjoy a visit to this important medieval town of the Upper Tiber Valley. Interesting museums and several good restaurants and modern bars.

Las trufas y los productos locales en Cittá di Castello. En esta ciudad medioval desde el 31 de octubre al 4 de noviembre se podrá adquirir y saborear una marea de platos a base de trufas, tradicionales de la zona. Habrá lugar una gran fiesta y los restoranes y bares estarán colmados de visitas que llegará de todas partes de Italia y del exterior.

Chestnut Festival in Morra

2007-10-11T08:33:00.001-07:00

Città di Castello (in the province of Perugia) . The prized local chestnuts of Morra will be celebrated on October 20th and 21st with food stands and entertainment for visitors. Morra is a small village not far from Cittá di Castello. Hot roasted chestnuts and vin santo (fortified wine) will be enjoyed by all visitors. Typical foods will be on sale at the tavernas.

Festival de la castaña en Morra
El la pequeña villa de Morra se celebra la fiesta campestre con castañas calientes y vin santo, el tradicional vino fortificado. Durante el 20 y el 21 de octubre será el punto de reunión para los habitantes de los alrededores de Cittá di Castello, y en los stand gastronómicos se serirán las tradicionales comidas de la Umbria y los postres hechos a base de harina de castaña.

End of Season Suggestions

2007-09-18T04:46:00.001-07:00

Film Buffs, http://www.reelstreets.com/, come and discuss the merits of some 200 British films

Lead soldier enthusiasts, http://www.soldierssoldiers.com/, come and view some 30,000 model figures

Property seekers, http://www.propertiesumbria.com/, 200 properties sold, 65 restored, come and talk to the “master”

Luxury accommodation, http://www.lapreghiera.com/, ……………treat yourself with end of season discounts.

Villa rentals, http://www.villamoscatelli.com/, ……..or bring a group of friends for self catering

Weddings, http://www.weddingsumbria.com/, if you’re thinking of getting hitched, have a look at this site

English language, http://www.tunstillsdislexicon.com/, fascinated by words? This is where the Dislexicon began

Ryanair are offering penny flights, there and back, Stanstead to Bologna Forli, just an hour and 50 minutes from us. A closer airport, Asissi/Perugia also has Ryanair flights, and it’s only 20 minutes away

And what’s Umbria like? Look at http://www.lifeinumbria.com/

Contact Neal on info@lapreghiera.com for bookings, we’ve only got 11 rooms, and the season ends on 15th October

Best wishes

Liliana and John Tunstill

Festival of the Nations 2007

2007-09-04T02:01:00.000-07:00

Music festival
Città di Castello

40th Edition

The Festival delle Nazioni was conceived in 1968

with the view to promoting the artistic heritage

of the Upper Tiber Valley and its culture and music,

as well as compete for and occupy a quality space

in the most prestigious Italian and European cultural events arena.

The Festival’s cultural framework has been characterized since its inception

by the choice of one guest country each year which is given the opportunity

to present to the public the best of its musical production

in a particularly beautiful, natural and architectural surrounding.

In this context, the contribution offered by the

Festival delle Nazioni to the European Union through

art and culture has been universally appreciated.

For the full program visit the web site.

Date

From August 25 to September 7, 2007

Internet Site