Cappella Brancacci and Carmen

The photo's that will be posted today are not mine, nor are they pictures from classmates. Unfortunately, I have to resort to the internet because I was told I could not use my camera in the Brancacci Chapel and so I left it at school and the said story is, I totally could have snapped some shots. The reason that I am resorting to the internet, is that I have to brag about the famous frescoes that I've finally gotten to see. I distinctly remember a number of these fresco's from my classes (shout out to Jessica Belich and AP Art History my senior year of high school!) The point of the visit yesterday to the Brancacci Chapel, was to expose our class to another rich and powerful family (the Brancacci) who commissioned work in addition to the Medici. The chapel was painted by Masolino who enlisted in the help of a young Massaccio and was finished by Filippion Lippi when Massaccio was called to Rome to for another commission. By comparing the fresco of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with the Serpent, to the one where they are expelled from paradise, viewers can see the difference in paintings styles of the different artists. The pictures I chose to upload are the ones I specifically remember from my classes and just got a warm fuzzy feeling when I saw them for real. Its so surreal to me that I am actually getting to see these pieces of work in real life as to appose to the glossy color photos in the 200 dollar text book I have for college classes.

Then, yesterday evening, we crossed the Arno, all dolled up, to go to the Opera. Because when one is in Italy, and the Opera that takes place in Spain, which is sung in French, preformed in an American Church in Italy, is only 15 Euro, one must simple spend an evening at the Opera. The show was Carmen, a story of a women named Carmen who makes cigarettes and gets arrested for fighting at work and ends up falling in love with and seducing her jailer Don Jose (who is supposed to marry a nice girl his mother picks out) and a love square ensues (Don Jose, some bull fighter, the nice girl Don Jose is supposed to marry and Carmen, make up this love mess.)  The singing was really quiet impressive, and I've never been to an Opera so I enjoyed the experience despite the nice pillar that slightly blocked my view. The show was preformed in the middle of the church and red cushioned chairs surrounded the area that was blocked off for the performance. The "I have a father and sister in theater" part of me appreciated the small, personal setting of the show despite the fact that I know my father would have set the seating up better (risers people.) But over all it was a lovely evening out with the girls (and pictures were taken, just not on my camera so I'll get them from Marit and post them later.) 

Capella Brancacci (the Brancacci Chapel) and the Opera were the high lights of the week other than a number of us coming down with colds. Tomorrow we take on Pisa and maybe another beach!