I Regali della Ascoli

I am in the home stretch of my stay here. Once, my friend Melody told me that when you study abroad there are a few days when you really miss home, and then in this last stretch you realize you are really going to miss your new found home. I will say this, Mel, I did not believe you, until this week concluded. Ascoli has given me more gifts that I care to imagine, and with our Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow I can confidently say I have a lot to be thankful for...although, I really missed being able to spend Thanksgiving with my family.

Tuesday and Wednesday were relatively uneventful. It was not until Thursday (ironically, Thanksgiving Day) that all of this happened. I went to go teach my final lesson with "i ragazzi." As much as I loved the kids, and although it became easier as the weeks went on, it always took a lot out of me. Well, this week, after teaching the children a little bit about England out of their textbook, I was asked to sit down. In my lesson on food in America, I mentioned to this class how much I loved "Kinder Bars" (a delicious European chocolate bar) and Nutella. Well, in response to this, the children made me dozens of cards and bought what had to be fifty Kinder bars and a big jar of Nutella. They also demanded me of my signature in their planners on my birthday. For each child, I wrote "Mi Manerai" I will miss you.

The second class greeted me the same. I now have two bags of cards, crafts, and the like. The second class even went as far as to make a three dimensional turkey stuffed with their names. It shows, sometimes, that even the smallest thing like helping teach English can greatly impact someones life. I was so happy...but it was bittersweet. I really am going to miss these kids. I gave them my e-mail...I hope I hear from them soon.

Thursday night was also un altro concerto...another concert. This time, I sang two pieces solo. I had Chris tape them on his camera. This performance meant a lot to me. This was my chance to show the school, and my peers, all I have learned in three months. I was confident after Sunday's duet, and I knew my two songs down pat. After three months of Italian, singing in Italian and understanding what I was saying has become much, much easier. So, for the first time, I went out to sing my first piece with that in mind and nothing more.

As a tenor, I never understood what it meant to sing classically and feel the music in the moment. I watched other singers look elegant and poised while they had one hand on the crook of the piano. I watched them die away to almost nothing and grow to crescendos that shook the room. I never understood that, because my tenor voice is too inflexible. But, for the first time, I felt it. The thrill of performing classical music and interpreting it with a solid technique. I felt everything pulse through. Listening to the playback, I can confidently say I see my voice staying here. I have a lot to do, but I think it will be much more enjoayble an experience. I cannot wait to show everyone at home.

Everyone else did a lovely job, as well. I loved listening to my fellow singers who have all grown so much. Josh sang a Rossini piece ("L'Utimo Riccordo" or "The Last Memory") that was emotionally potent, and Sandi sang a Rossini piece that has a beat not to far off from the one from "Single Ladies' by Beyonce. We even have a dance to it...

Rosella was crying as we went away. I think it hit us all that we have all learned so much from one another. For every moment that we all got frustrated from her vice versa, we learned something more about ourselves and the world of music outside of America. I have discovered composers we dare not go near in undergrad because all we know of them are their virtuosic pieces (For instance, there is easy Vivaldi and Rossini out there, but you just have to find it). I know I am a man of hyperbole, but she really did change my life. I feel like I leave a friend behind as I go away from Italy soon.

Last night, we got discount tickets to go see Ascoli's production of "La Boheme." I have passed the theater many times, and after Fermo I was afraid that this opera was going to be sub par. But we were all shocked. I think it was better. The singers were much more consistent, the orchestra was STELLAR and the sets were great. Notably, Musetta and Marcello were powerhouses. They both had me laughing and crying, especially Musetta (if anyone knows Rent, they know the plot to this opera. Musetta is essentially Maureen and Marcello is Mark). And the theater was packed...with lots of kids our age scattered about. I am going to miss this place where music is such a staple. I hope I can bring that passion back with me when we return. Here, opera is not so stuffy. It is an art and a job, and as Josh said to me last night "singing is a career here, not a novelty. When you say you are a singer, people take your seriously."

Today, I am working on my project and getting ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I am making my mother's bread stuffing and some garlic mashed potatoes. Shereen, Paulo, and their newest edition to the staff, Dalilah (who is probbably the most bubbly, eccentric, and genuine human being I have met) are coming tomorrow. We hope this to be an experience where we show them what sort of things we do in America, as a token for all of their help. I am excited. These three have left indents on my heart that will never go away.

Everyday, as I walk through the lovely Piazza del Popolo, I take my time now. I only have six days left here, and I want to remember it. I remember the first time I walked through that Piazza with Josh and Chris, and we were literally dumbfounded. You know, you would after three months of walking through it everyday, I would have lost all of my love for it. No, I haven't. And I don't think I ever will...