Roger's Grand Tour to Italy 2019

It is time to realize a long-held dream of visiting the grand monuments of Italian Renaissance sculpture, painting, architecture and music. So I reserve the month of May 2019 and create an agenda to visit Rome and Florence, with side trips to the medieval country village of Bomarzo to see the 16th century Sacred Grove, or Park of Monsters; and to Cremona, a center of violinmaking for the past 500 years. I also intended to learn as much as possible of the Italian language and culture.

The adventure begins in Rome, with lodging not far from Saint Peter's. It's an easy walk to the Vatican Museums and the ancient sculpture of the Laocoön.

I didn't get the message that photos are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel until after I had taken this one:

On my agenda this month is to track down paintings by Caravaggio. This is the Madonna of Loreto (1604-06) at the church Sant'Antonio, a Baroque church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Lisbon. Renaissance church officials were not pleased with the soiled feet of the peasant, and with Mary's exposed bare feet.

At the church San Luigi dei Francesi, three paintings by Caravaggio decorate the Contarelli Chapel, on the life of Saint Matthew. This one is the Inspiration of S. Matthew.

At nearby Piazza Navona are some of the numerous fountains in Rome. These are the Moor Fountain (1575) by Giacomo della Porta and the Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651) by Bernini, with the Egyptian obelisk in the background. The heavy crowds of tourists made it difficult to get clear photo views.

A visit to the Borghese Gallery astonishes with gorgeous ceilings

The Borghese has these paintings by Caravaggio

Self-portrait as Bacchus

Youth with basket of fruit

The Palazzo Barberini is the home of the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, 

with many Renaissance masterpieces:

Narcissus by Caravaggio

Judith beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio

Carlo Saraceni (Venice 1579-1620), Santa Cecilia and the angel:

I visited the Santa Cecilia concert hall for a wonderful concert with pianist Yefim Bronfman and the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia conducted by Daniele Gatti. The all-Brahms program offered the Piano Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 2.

My review of the concert is here

This is just a sampling of the many treasures in Rome. Next, it's off to Bomarzo, Florence, and Cremona. Click HERE for the next page.