Tag Archives: Naples

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Concert at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy

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A look back (first published March 17 2015): when this was written the San Carlo was virtually hidden behind scaffolding. I saw the theatre a few days ago and, although still under repair externally, the bandaging is much lighter now.

thephraser's avatarThe Phraser

Teatro di San Carlo, Naples, Italy Teatro di San Carlo, Naples, Italy

The Teatro di San Carlo in Naples is the world’s oldest working theatre and still ranks amongst its most famous opera houses.  I’m no opera expert but if I close my eyes and imagine an opera house I see it with glamour, gold and balconies of red.  The Teatro di San Carlo has all that.

A few weeks ago we were treated to a concert there.  First we had to find the theatre.

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Burned, buried and brought back to life

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A look back (first published 17 February 2015): discovering the secrets of the papyrus scrolls of Herculaneum, now in the National Library in Naples, Italy.

thephraser's avatarThe Phraser

Library of Naples Library of Naples
Biblioteca Nazionale di Napoli

It’s never a good idea to judge anything by appearances.  Here’s an example.

Mid-autumn of last year I was new in Naples.  The language was a challenge and I still didn’t know my way around.  The city seemed hectic and disheveled.

Then, on a wet Wednesday in November, I was invited on a trip to the Biblioteca Nazionale di Napoli.

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An elephant, a bird, and an offer

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A look back (first published 14 February 2015)

thephraser's avatarThe Phraser

Carved elephant An irresistible elephant

I wasn’t looking for any of the above but somehow they found me.  That’s what Naples does.

My elephant – she’s now mine – spent days for sale on the steep, wintery steps outside the huge post office near the city centre.

I passed her twice a week en route to class.  It was hard to miss her.  My head was full of elephants and there she was, big and awkward in amongst the trinkets and faded pictures.

Then yesterday, on an impulse, I roped together my Italian and my courage, and paused.

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