We will soon be traveling to Italy and I wanted to "strike the right note" on arrival. Hence, I've been practicing the famous aria from Rigoletto, using Pavarotti's interpretation as a guide. I hope to treat the immigration officers, taxi stand and of course the registration clerks at our hotel to a lively rendition. The trouble is, my wife and son will be accompanying me on ukulele and recorder. We easily adapted a harmonica transcription to the recorder, but I can't find any arrangements suitable for ukulele. I was hoping some knowledgeable Fodorite could help. Ciao!

Before you should concern yourself with the ukulele problem, May I ask if you will be dressed as a jester with a humpback? I think that should be your top priority.

Sorry, I was mistaken.

Since you'll be the one singing, your SON should be the one dressed as Rigoletto, and perhaps your wife can use some cosmetic surgery to make her look as young as Gilda?

Make sure you get this look (complete with mullet):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2797947...7605799084064/

Do they have rules about dead daughters as carry-on luggage?

You'll create an even more impressive performance if you are accompanied by a full-size orchestra, even if it is playback. There are CDs for singers that have the orchestral accompaniment without the voice. Hide a portable CD player inside the ukulele.

Notify us in time when the performance takes place so that we can all be there and cheer!

yk -- I'm glad toy got that right. I was beginning to think I'd misunderstood the whole opry.

Personally though I think we will not appear in costume -- I mean, we don't want to look ridiculous.

I want to make sure everyone understands the deep love we have for the Italianite culture and even some of the people!

It would be even more impressive if you waited until you got to Venice where it was first performed.