Thursday, July 28, 2011

Market in Florence


Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi


The 2011 Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto went by without a word on Travel Umbria. I did not talk about it because the festival was literally hijacked by the local and national government, stealing it from the Menotti family and their non-profit organization, boycotting it in any way possible, finally ruining with sad political games and artistic incompetency what for fifty years the founder Gian Carlo Menotti and his son Francis had done to bring this festival to world fame.

I strongly encourage you to visit the official website of the Spoleto Festival and watch the video on the first page titled "Spoleto Festival. The End of A Dream" by Michael Lebor. For your convenience I am posting it here also, but please visit the website to get all the information on the matter.

The video briefly, but thoroughly, covers the story of the end of the Festival. You will learn how local municipal government boycotted the festival in any possible way by raising theater rental fees to improbable amounts, blocking access roads, sacking company computers obliging organizers to do all the work with pen, paper and rubber sole, denied the promised fundings at the last minute so that employees and workers could not be paid, and finally, and perhaps the saddest note of all, the church started ringing its bells over the final concert in a last desperate effort to ruin the performance. Thankfully, the bells became part of the performance (thanks to the director's mastery) and enriched the performance!

Although the 2007 edition ended as a success, all the efforts to save the festival were in vane and damaged the Menotti family. Francesco Rutelli, the culture minister at that time, played a major role in ruining and stealing the concert to the people of Spoleto and the Menotti family. Watch the video for more details on this.

Please share the Spoleto Festival website link as much as possible and encourage all to watch the video on the homepage. Again, this is the link http://www.spoletofestival.it/index.en.htm .
These behaviors are shameful and impoverish the great artistic heritage of Italy. Let your friends know!

The Spoleto Festival was a creation of the composer, Gian Carlo Menotti over 50 years ago. His son Francis took over the festival over a decade ago as Gian Carlo's old age made it impossible for him to continue as festival director.

Sadly Gian Carlo died in 2007, leaving the festival rights to his natural successor, Francis. Just one year later the Italian authorities had forced Francis out, repossessing his homes and taking the festival away from the Menotti family.

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Salami of The King


A typical pastry from Umbria, Italy

Ingredients for the salami: 300 grams of flour, 300 grams sugar , six egg yolks, the juice and peel of half lemon, 75 grms of baking powder.
Ingredients for the filling: 200 grams alchermes liquor, 150 grams of cocoa powder, half glass of milk, 400 grams of yellow cream.

How to make it:

Beat the egg yolks together with the sugar, add the flour, the juice and peel of the lemon, and mix in well. Add the yeast and mix it in well. Smear with butter a narrow and long oven pan, then pour the mix in to reach a thickness of half centimeter. Heat the oven at 180 Celsius, then set the mix in for a few minutes. Using a clean kitchen towel dampened with water, remove the cooked layer of sponge cake from the oven pan. Spread the wet towel on it, then flip the oven pan. Set it on a kneading surface and dampen it with alchermes (in substitution you can use cherry syrup mixed with vodka. Do some tests for consistency and alcoholic content prior to using it), then spread a layer of chocolate melted in milk, and one layer of cream. Roll the sponge cake to create a tight sweet salami.

Perfect for all seasons, this Umbria recipe is best accompanied by a sweet wine or black tea in winter time.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Inspiring Images of Umbria

These are inspiring images of Umbria! I hope you will understand the beauty of this land and come to enjoy it as much as I do!!








Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Apartments in Umbria Castle


Today I just discovered a splendid new property in Umbria. It is a castle that was completely renewed last year and features several properties independent from one another. The name is Casale Il Poggetto.

The castle is from the middle ages (12th century) and used to be the residence of lords that used the properties at Poggetto as their hunting residence. The castle was destroyed by the Pope in the 15th century for political reasons, then rebuilt over the ruins immediately after, and it still preserves structures from the original building.

The old barn and turret are now independent apartments in Umbria, each one separate from the castle, and independent from one another, completely furnished with lovely rustic style, fine antiquities, and modern appliances for a holiday in Italy with all comforts.

Casale il Poggetto apartments in Umbria is located in Todi in the middle of splendid nature settings, woodlands, and hills with great charm and perfect to relax. All apartments are greatly romantic, and the outdoors offer spaces to enjoy the warm Italian weather in an oasis of peace during al fresco dinners.

If you are looking for a romantic stay in a castle in Umbria, renting apartments for couples or for families, you should really check out apartments Umbria Casale Il Poggetto, as its prices are just as excellent as its quality and charm. A perfect location for both summer and winter vacations in Italy.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Prince at Umbria Jazz


Wow! One of the coolest concerts of Prince! The sole Italian date, and it was at Umbria Jazz 2011.

At 53 years of age the singer is still very much in shape, and does not seem to be in need of the double hip replacement he is supposedly postponing. He is a Jehovah witness and his religion prohibits blood transfusions. However, it seems he is fine, as he moved on the stage with great agility and energy, playing his guitars and singing at his best.

It was a great concert that took place in the square of Perugia on the main stage of Umbria Jazz. Prince did not delve too much into his early production from 1975 and the Eighties, however he did perform his 1987 Purple Rain. To think that Prince could be inserted in the Umbria Jazz 2011 program only at the last minute after Nathalie Cole (Daughter of Nat King) forfeited the date of July 15 is almost ironic.

Prince has played for more than 4 hours, including encores, for the thrilled public that did not expect such a wonderful, long-lasting show. Extravagant ad-hoc costumes, impressive lighting effects, a stage backed by an eye-shaped screen projecting the concert, sound effects and scenic details projected spectators in a Tafkap dimension that was at times futuristic, at times pure concept.

Prince cost Umbria Jazz 600 thousand Euros, and that is also why the ticket had to cost 70 euros apiece. 7 thousand people attended the concert, an event that will not return to Umbria or Italy any soon, I am sure.
Till next time then, Prince, thanks for the great performance, it was worth every penny and more!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Umbria Jazz 2011


Here we go! Umbria Jazz 2011 is about to begin!

Let's start with the offiacial website link for Umbria Jazz (English version of course), and by saying that with the passing of time this music festival has grown to be one of the most important in Europe. It is also possible to say that thanks to Umbria Jazz Italy has discovered and metabolized Jazz music, now fully entered into the mainstream Italian music landscape. But, hey, what's all this jazz about? I'm no music critic, so let me go straight to the event program...

July 8, 2011 is the opening day of the festival.
The main stage will see Caro Emerald, while peripheral, yet important, stages in restaurants and hotels feature Anat Cohen Quartet at Hotel Brufani, and Stefano Mincone Trio at Ristorante La Taverna both at 9 PM, and at Restaurant Stage Henry Butler Trio at 7,30pm

July 9, 2011
7,30 PM at Restaurant Stage HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9 PM Main Stage CHIHIRO YAMANAKA TRIO HERBIE HANCOCK / WAYNE SHORTER / MARCUS MILLER with “Tribute to Miles” Produced by Marcus Miller featuring SEAN JONES, SEAN RICKMAN
9 PM at Hotel Brufani Jazz Dinner THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club with TIA FULLER QUARTET around midnight

July 10, 2011
At 7,30 PM Restaurant Stage HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9 PM Main Stage HIROMI THE TRIO PROJECT featuring ANTHONY JACKSON & STEVE SMITH, AHMAD JAMAL
9 PM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Dinner THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
0,00 AM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club ANAT COHEN QUARTET

July 11, 2011
7,30 PM Restaurant Stage HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9 PM Main Stage BRANFORD MARSALIS DUO & QUARTET featuring JOEY CALDERAZZO , ERIC REVIS, JUSTIN FAULKNER, EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE featuring JIRI STIVIN, MATTHIAS SCHRIEFL, ALAN SKIDMORE, STAN SULZMANN, GERD DUDEK, ROB VAN DEN BROECK, ALI HAURAND, CLARK TRACEY
9 PM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Dinner THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
0,00 AM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club TIA FULLER QUARTET

July 12, 2011
7,30 PM Restaurant Stage HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9 PM Main Stage “Guitar Heaven 2011” SANTANA
9 PM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Dinner THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
0,00 AM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club ANAT COHEN QUARTET

July 13, 2011
7,30 PM Restaurant Stage HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9 PM Main Stage LIZA MINNELLI
9 PM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Dinner THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
0,00 AM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club TIA FULLER QUARTET

July 14, 2011
7,30 PM Restaurant Stage HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9 PM Main Stage “BRASILIAN NIGHT” “For All” GILBERTO GIL “The Celebration Tour” SERGIO MENDES
9 PM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Dinner THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
0,00 AM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club ANAT COHEN QUARTET

July 15, 2011
7,30 PM Restaurant Stage HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9,30 PM Main Stage “Welcome to America” - Euro Tour 2011 PRINCE
9 PM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Dinner THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
0,00 AM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club TIA FULLER QUARTET

July 16, 2011
7,30 PM Restaurant Stage THE THREE LADIES OF BLUES & GUSTAV CSICK TRIO
9,30 PM Main Stage TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE B.B. KING
9 PM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Dinner HENRY BUTLER TRIO
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO
0,00 AM Hotel Brufani, Sala Raffaello Jazz Club ANAT COHEN QUARTET

July 17, 2011
6,30 PM Main Stage “THE GREAT LATIN JAZZ EVENING” EDDIE PALMIERI QUARTET featuring HORACIO “EL NEGRO” HERNANDEZ, BRIAN LYNCH and LUQUES CURTIS
7,30 PM Restaurant Stage ANAT COHEN QUARTET
9 PM Main Stage MICHEL CAMILO “MANO A MANO” TRIO featuring GIOVANNI HIDALGO & ANTHONY JACKSON CHUCHO VALDES & THE AFRO-CUBAN MESSENGERS MICHEL & CHUCHO GRAN FINALE
9 PM Ristorante La Taverna Jazz Dinner STEFANO MINCONE TRIO


This is just the meaty section of each day's program, but you can live Jazz all day long through satellite events covering the movie, history and critique aspects that revolve around the world of Jazz.

As you can see from the juicy part of the program above, this year, as every year, there are big names and ensembles you should not miss. For tickets and more info visit the official site link above. Have fun in Umbria!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Umbria Holidays, Meetings, Weddings and Restaurant at Antica Posta di Braccio


Antica Posta di Braccio is a residence and restaurant in Umbria. It is a picturesque conglomerate of houses in typical Umbrian style with delicious red roofs and set in a lush green countryside. It sits right besides the Trasimeno Lake sporting one of the most magnificent views over one of its islands and offering a peaceful stay for short and long term holidays in Umbria. You will find it over the southern shore of the Lake near the town of San Arcangelo di Magione.

The origins of the palace are in the Renaissance period and its style is typical from that age. The restaurant specializes in truffles, an Umbrian specialty. The summer garden is a wonderful place where to enjoy the meals cooked with the ancient wood brick oven. This is a historic place that started its hospitality tradition in the 15th century, hosting those who traveled these lands.

That tradition continues to these days where guests are accommodated into 20 splendid apartments all boasting independent entrance and self catering services. This is also the ideal place if you need a large accommodation for your guests to celebrate a happening such as a wedding or a get-together, a birthday, or a company meeting. The large cross vaulted rooms are the ideal setting where to gather many people at once in an elegant and functional space. The entire structure is immersed in the green setting of the Trasimeno Park.
The efficient organization of this residence in Umbria will provide anything you need to make it happen for parties, large meetings, and conferences.

To top it all on the property grounds you will find a splendid swimming pool–pond decorated with submerged stone blocks and set in stone for a terrific visual impact and pleasurable relaxation. The pool also includes a Jacuzzi in an elevated and panoramic position commanding views over the Trasimeno area.