Italian Artisans - Weaving Fabric in Perugia
 | Working the Loom by Hand
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In today's world of machine made mass produced everything, it is truly inspirational to discover special people who have made the continuation and promotion of artisanal crafts their life's work. Italy is home to a great number of artisans, from Venetian glass makers to Florentine tanners to the ceramic artists of central Italy. We'd like to draw your attention to one very special artisan in the Umbrian capital of Perugia, Marta Brozzetti.
In the early 20th century, Marta's grandmother, Giuditta, became captivated with the historic practice of women producing household necessities and textiles by their own hand. In 1921, she founded a workshop for the production of high quality home textiles. She researched the patterns and practices of the textile weavers and designers to the middle ages, and began acquiring antique looms and equipment to recover this lost art. Today, her granddaughter Marta continues the family tradition in the deconsecrated church in Perugia that houses the workshop. The church itself was founded by St. Francis and the monastery has been dated to 1212, making it one of the earliest Franciscan dwellings. It is a glorious setting for work that truly suggests a higher calling. Marta does everything herself from painstakingly punching out the stencils for the designs to repairing the ancient looms herself - who else could do it? It takes days to set up the looms for the projects and days to weeks to produce complete pieces, depending upon the size and complexity of the pattern.
Marta is truly passionate about her work, and while maintaining the traditional patterns of ancient altar and sacred cloths which are now employed in table cloths, runners, and curtains, she also introduces innovations from time to time, like updated color palettes to catch the contemporary eye. She seeks out the best linen, cotton, silk and even gold thread to execute the designs.
The next time you're in Umbria with us, ask to visit Marta - it's like visiting another century. |
Spotlight - Sicilia
 | | Welcome to Sicily |
Sicily, or Sicilia as it is known in Italian, is the largest and most varied region in Italy. On the map, it looks small and manageable to visit in a few days, but you should spend at least 7 - 10 days here if you want a quick overview of the island, or if your time is limited, concentrate on one geographical region. From cities like Palermo and Taormina to the renowned archeological sites, volcanoes, beaches, vineyards and picturesque small villages, this island has something for everyone. The already spectacular natural landscape is enhanced by the incredible array of influences the island has experienced over the centuries. Sicily was an important Greek settlement, critical to the Romans, then invaded in turn by Arabs, Normans and Spaniards - all of which can be seen in the monuments and architecture of the island, and tasted in the cuisine. Although only a few kilometers from mainland Italy, Sicily is very different. Italian is spoken here, but the local dialect is quite particular and many Italians don't understand it.
We can introduce you to wonderful archeologist and art historian guides, nature experts for hiking the volcanoes, fisherman and scuba professionals, as well as the small family hosts in their olive groves and vineyards that you can visit for cooking class or a simple home meal.
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Ra la la la . . .
 | | Brian as the Father in Hansel und Gretel |
December was a very busy month for Brian on the opera and concert stage. He sang the Father in Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel at Theater Dortmund in Germany. He has sung in Dortmund's production since it premiered in 2007 - a run of 40 performances that concluded on December 25th with a full house. On New Year's Day, he traveled to Bamberg, Germany in Bavaria for a concert to ring in the New Year. 2011 is already shaping up to be busy musically as well. We are planning another concert with Marco (our pianist from last year's concert at UNC-CH) at the Palazzo Trinci in Foligno this August. Stay tuned . . .
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