So, anyway, there we were sitting at the Ristorante Beccafico in Campo San Stefano enjoying a magnificent meal and the sight of the Venetians promenading past us on their nightly passegiata. Restaurant packed and a queue waiting for tables. I had prebooked (Emma Ah Cheh Cappa Ee Eh) so was feeling pretty smug until I spotted that the people waiting were being plied with free drink.
An elderly gentleman wandered up to the front of the restaurant. Sudden commotion. The proprietor rushed forward, greeted him effusively and ushered him to the only free table in the place. All he ordered was a glass of water and a mixed salad but every single waiter in the place took the chance to hover attentively and to have a chat. They all called him ‘Maestro’.
Since La Fenice is close at hand, I thought that he must be something to do with Opera. Then I overheard the owner using the magic words. Maria Callas’ when telling another diner who the guy was. When we had finished, I went over and asked as well.
It was Bruno Tosi, Artistic Director of the Carnivale, and, much more importantly Presidente dell’Associazione Internazionale Maria Callas. Friend and biographer of that divine diva.
Here she is singing one of the truly great arias
For good measure, the owner told me that the boy sitting at the table next to us was a Senator who was having an intimate dinner with a ‘friend’. Very civilized the Italians, in my opinion.
Off to the Rialto.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Callas – was she mixed up with Charlie Bridges or was that Sophia?
Good line, Janus, but, as you probably know full well, it was Ponti/Loren and Callas/Onassis.
Wiki says that Maria and Aristotle met in Venice. I must ask my close personal friend, Bruno Tosi, about that the next time I see him.
A prima donna par exellence!
yes, JM. Please say ciao from me too.
Btw, I read today that half the culture funding in Itlay goes to opera and the unions are already up in arms about the latest cuts. What’s the Italian for ‘lay off our cash’?
Mmm..that is lovely.
Spare a thought for me, locked in sweaty A level exam rooms, when you’re winding your way around those wistful canals tomorrow! 🙂
Just beautiful.
Jm, your title – I’m sure I know it. if you hum it I’ll play it.
Tosca, Vissi d’arte
Sounds as though your hol is progressing exceedingly well, Giovanni. Fab clips of Callas too.
You never know who you might bump into in Venice. We were on a vaporetto on the Grand Canal passing the Gritti Palace when a guy with rock-star hair walked out onto his balcony stark naked and smoking a giant spliff. I might have recognised him if only he’d been wearing clothes!