Thank you so much for answering my question.

I certainly remember Maria Callas.

Bel Canto.

Me again. I read your post too fast.

I never heard of Kiri Te Kanawa - what a beautiful voice.

Now that you have piqued my interest, I will research each singer's version of "O Mio Babbino Caro.'

Hi i_am_kane - Kiri Te Kanawa is from New Zealand, I think she is a Maori, or part Maori and is very beautiful with this amazing voice. She also sang at Prince Charles's wedding to Lady Diana Spencer.

Really great photos!

ttt

Hello-- hope all is well with you. I'm wondering if you'll be posting more photos. Please include yourself and husband---and Christmas. Thanks can't wait.

rickmav, I have been reading your Trip Report the last few hours and now to see your slide show was the icing on the cake!! I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the report and now the photos with the fabulous music chosen! Bellisimo!! We leave in a little less than 2 months for Italia and now I truly cannot wait.
You chose one of my very favs. in "O Mio Babbino Caro"!!!! I too have never heard of this vocalist, but I want to hear more of her. I would have to agree about Maria Callas--fabulous indeed. Thank you for both additions to Fodor's "Italy" section, the written report and the visual--although I have to say that your report read like a book and painted very beautiful scenes I am sure we could all "see" as you described them. (I think I actually was gripping the arms of my chair as you drove up the mountainside that night in the rain and the fog!LOL) Thanks again.

Thank you loveroses. I'm surprised that you could still find my report, buried as it must be in so much great stuff that has come after it. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and we look forward to your report when you return.

rickmav,
I just went to "Europe" and then defined the search to "Italy" and then to "trip reports" and...voila! There you were.

I just simply cannot sit at the computer for hours and hours and so I printed out about 10 of them and read the shorter ones at the computer. I saved yours for last, as it was the thickest, LOL, but, kidding aside, I truly enjoyed every minute of it and now, I feel like one does when you finish a good book....a little lost.... Thanks again.

rickmav, thank for this photo and sound memory of Italy. The slideshow captured the Feel of Tuscany VERY well! And while the gallery's full of gorgeous shots, my favorite may be the one at http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/v...7945/page/1/15 which is like a classic painting - composition just superb.

Te Kanawa is one of my favorites too, and that song! I was able to see her sing Magic Flute (Pamina) and Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, in the same season, a few times each, as I was a rabid standee and I'd never heard her before. In recordings, they would have to pull back because she has an enormous voice that opens up at the top instead of constricting as so many do and it was amazing to hear her, uncompressed!
So songful and pitch perfect in this piece.

Great accompaniment for your slideshow. I went back a few times to browse many photos after it was over. A real treat! Thank you - a fitting set for your really excellent trip report.

- Andrys

Hi andrys. I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I couldn't figure out how to do the pictures in sequence, so they are a bit random. I agree with your favorite - it is also mine. I use it as my screensaver!

I can't believe you've seen Te Kanawa sing. It is on my list of the 100 things I must do in this life.

Thank you for your kind words.

Mavis

rickmav,

Our family is venturing to Italy for the first time in 5/08. Reading your trip report really put a perspective on what I hope to come away with. For me personally, I do not want to spend hour after hour in museums, although some are a must see. I want to absorb the emotions of Italy like you did. I want to observe their life and culture. I know in my heart that that is what I will remember and cherish.
Thank you for making me take a step back from trying to detail every waking moment with typical tourist sites. I also believe my family will be more appreciative in the long run.
Thank you, thank you.

Oh my goodness....GORGEOUS< GORGEOUS, and the background music made it so special and nostalgic. I'm ready to go back.
This will be kept in our "favorites" file and shared and looked over for sure!
Thanks!

Rickmav, loved your slideshow. I am going on Aug 13th and your wonderful pics sure put me in the mood. I'm gonna start packing now! Grazie!

Mavis,
I actually like that your slideshow is random. This way it's more like random memories, which is the way we tend to remember highpoints of our trips... it just sort of adds to it that we see these scenes that way rather than try to think of them as places in chronological order. Your descriptions are enough when we want to know more and then we have your amazing trip report too.

- Andrys

I peak at your photos every once in a while and they make the waiting for my trip unbearably exciting. After mapping out Rome to Venice, the photos help it seem more possible. October is coming quick!

Hi Italy08. You are so lucky to be able to share Italy with your family. I'm normally a museum person, although my husband isn't. But in Italy it seemed insane somehow to forego all the incredible street scenes, scenery, etc. to wander about museums, no matter how great they are. Hope you have an amazing time.

mari5 - Thanks for the 'gorgeous' feedback. It's a great honour for me that you would return to the photos again and again. How wonderful that our wonderful holiday lives on.

Willy123 - Glad you enjoyed the slideshow. Your departure date is so soon, you must be very excited. Remember, you'll probably need to pack less than you plan to - unless you're one of those minimalist packers already. Have a great time.

Hello andrys - you like the 'random'? You are absolutely right that that is the way we remember things. Hmmm. It's said that everything happens for a reason - maybe I'm a photo editing idiot on purpose!

ljc4creb - Make sure you post your photos and trip report when you return, I'm always inspired anew when I see how other people absorb and capture amazing Italy. Have a great trip.