Ravello

The most beautiful sight that I have ever seen in the world

is the panoramic view from Villa Cimbrone on a bright winter’s day,

when the sky and the sea are so vividly blue

that it is not possible to distinguish them from each other.

Gore Vidal

Ravello is one of the easternmost towns along the Amalfi Coast.  Located about three miles up the hill from the coast road, Ravello is known for amazing vistas, famous gardens, and its annual arts festival.

According to the Ravello Concert Society, Wagner found the inspiration for the second act of Parsifal in Ravello.   Now known as the City of Music, the famous Ravello Festival began as performances of Wagner's works.  Over the years it has grown into an arts fesitval with a variety of music and dance performances.

There will be two concerts at Ravello during our time in Sorrento, if anyone is interested in attending one (or both), we can arrange for tickets and transportation:

Monday, October 17, 8:30 PM
RAVELLO - Villa Rufolo

RAFFAELE TERLIZZI piano recital
L. van Beethoven: Sonata op.101, 32 Variazioni WoO80
R. Schumann: Sonata op.22, Studi Sinfonici op.13

 

 

Wednesday, October 19, 8.30 PM
RAVELLO - Villa Rufolo

 

CARLA AVENTAGGIATO - MAURIZIO MATARRESE
piano four-hands
E. Grieg: Danze Norvegesi op.35
F. Busoni: 2 Danze Finlandesi
M. Moszowsky: 5 Danze Spagnole op.12
A. Dvorak: 6 Danze Slave
J. Brahms: 6 Danze Ungheresi

 

You can read more about the concerts (and listen to music from past events) on the web site of the Ravello Concert Society.

 

Villa Rufolo

The concerts will be held a Villa Rufolo, a beautiful old palazzo and gardens.  Although their web site is in Italian, you can see pictures of the palazzo and the gardens here.

 

 

Garden lovers will also enjoy Villa Cimbrone, the former 12th century residence of the Vuilleumier family.  Run today as a hotel, the gardens are among the most famous in Italy.

 

 

In the main pizza you'll find the cathedral of Ravello, built in 1087; it is known for its bronze doors, created in 1179 by  Barisano da Trani.