About this experience
Venice is a city of legends and secrets. It is a maze of narrow alleys and bridges. It is vibrant emotional Italians and their traditions. Venice is my love and my soul. I am an opera singer. 13 years ago, I came here to study and decided to stay. I love this city madly! On my tour, I will show and tell you what can make you fall in love with Venice.
What to expect
The most interesting city spots
On the way, we will meet Ponte dei Pugni (the Bridge of Fists). I will share the story behind its name. If we are lucky, we will see a vegetable market right on a boat. Then I will show you an eye on the ceiling of a palace on Campo San Barnaba square and tell you about it. We will also see an old boat workshop and enjoy beautiful views from Ponte dell'Accademia (Academy Bridge). At Campo Santo Stefano square, we will learn how locals call the Italian writer Niccolò Tommaseo and see an unusual spiral staircase.
Opera stories: Italian, Russian, and my personal ones
I will tell you about artists' superstitions. I will share what singers do the day before a concert to keep their voice. You will learn about an Italian opera written specifically for the Director of the Russian imperial theaters and why Italians are afraid to pronounce its name. I will explain why most operas are written in Italian. And if you want, a little personal touch: I will tell you why I came to study in Venice specifically and how I got into the conservatory.
Hand gestures and O sole mio
Italians are a very emotional people. They often talk while wildly gesturing. To make you feel like a true local, I will show you some interesting gestures and expressions. And as the cherry on top of our Venetian dessert - if you wish, I can teach you the song O sole mio.
