I've decided that that the way to understand Naples is as one giant opera set.
So let's write an opera!
So let's write an opera!
First, we need a composer.
It's Rossini who was born here opposite one of the funicular stations
It's Rossini who was born here opposite one of the funicular stations
Act one: Galleria Umberto 1
Lots of comings and goings as our characters introduce themselves ending with a big chorus as they exit the south doors to...
Lots of comings and goings as our characters introduce themselves ending with a big chorus as they exit the south doors to...
Act Two. The grand stage outside of the Basilica.
Aida with knobs on!
Horses! Camels! Lions! Elephants!
A cast of hundreds!
Our main characters fall out and we move to.....
Aida with knobs on!
Horses! Camels! Lions! Elephants!
A cast of hundreds!
Our main characters fall out and we move to.....
Act Three. The endless corridors of the Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) and, in the gardens, Picasso style horses and a spectacular tree.
Lots of comings and goings, acidental meetings, duos, trios and choruses culminating in a big fight between our hero and villain....
Lots of comings and goings, acidental meetings, duos, trios and choruses culminating in a big fight between our hero and villain....
Act Four. The Palazzo dello Spagnolo.
The great denoument.
Our hero finds the man he's just killed is really his twin brother and that the woman they were fighting over is their sister (What, you've never seen il Trovatore?).
The great denoument.
Our hero finds the man he's just killed is really his twin brother and that the woman they were fighting over is their sister (What, you've never seen il Trovatore?).
Cue arias, tears, choruses and, as the hero walks declaiming into the sunset....
...a volcano erurpts.
...a volcano erurpts.
FIN
