Music in Firenze

One of the great things about being in Florence is the opportunity to hear wonderful music, sometimes in unusual and unexpected circumstances.  Many times I have slipped inside the beautiful little church, Chiesa Santa Maria de' Ricci, near Casa di Dante, because there is someone practicing on the organ for a concert later that night.  Now someone is posting that there are regular performances evenings at 6 pm, which would make a lovely addition to any passagiata.  Here's the post:  http://www.anamericaninitaly.com/2011/11/09/organ-music-at-santa-maria-de-ricci/

Another song that reminds me of Florence . . .

. . . is "O mio babbino, caro," which Brightman sings beautifully.  This soprano aria is from the opera "Gianni Schicchi," written by Giacomo Puccini in 1918.  The setting is 14th century Florence, and when the soprano sings of buying a ring in Porta Rossa or throwing herself off the Ponte Vecchio, I can see those beautiful settings in my mind's eye.

Time to Say Goodbye . . .

. . . is the English title of one of Sarah Brightman's more popular songs.  I prefer the Italian title, "Con te Partiro`" which if translated directly, means "I will depart with you."  Either way, this song and others on Brightman's album, "Classics," remind me of Florence.  One of the charming things about my favorite city is the number of street performers in public spaces.  Very often there is someone doing the Brightman songs outside the Uffizi or in Piazza della Repubblica.  Do you have songs that remind you of specific cities?