If we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.
1 John 4:12
The city of Parma founded in 183BC by the Romans along the Via Aemilia was an important road junction. Today it is known for its architecture, music, art, prosciutto and cheese.
It was not always like that. Deep sadness nearly destroyed his desire to create. The story goes like this. Berezzi asked Verdi to teach his daughter music. He soon fell passionately in love with Margherita. They married. They had two babies, both died in infancy then while working on his second opera Margherita died at the age of 26. He was devastated and vowed to give up composing. He was then persuaded to write Nabucco with its famous chorus of the Hebrews Slaves and its premier in March 1842 made Verdi a star. He continued to create operas including Verdi’s Requiem Mass, composed to honour his friend Alessandro Manzoni , a famous novelist and poet who had died the previous year.
He did fall in love again but only married after his mother died.
In 1901 he suffered a stroke and died a few days later.
You may have the universe if I may have Italy.
I have striven for perfection, it has always eluded me, but I surely had an obligation to make one more try.
The artist must yield himself to his own inspiration, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.
Giuseppe Verdi 1813 – 1901
Press on the bold print to listen to
Verdi’s Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves
It is decorated by a highly influential illusionistic fresco by Renaissance painter, Antonio de Correggio
1494- 1534. Back outside…
The inside contains 16 arches each containing an alcove with 13th and 14th century frescoes and paintings.
Then step back outside and taste some cheese. Here is a recipe from an author and for those who are strict vegetarians a suggested substitute.
“I made lemon spaghetti in an early season of ‘Everyday Italian’ , and to this day people still come up to me and say they love it. It’s very, very simple. Basically, you cook the pasta and mix together Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice and zest and pour it over pasta.”
Giada De Laurentiis Author
“Parma is an amazing Parmesan Cheese substitute made from walnuts. It tastes like a dream and is healthy to boot.”
Rory Freedman Author
I hope you have experienced some of what Parma had to offer us. Thank you for looking at this post.
Sandy 🙂
I enjoyed reading about Verdi and his turbulent life, so thank you for the history lesson. I also loved seeing the Parma Cathedral. The frescoes and architecture are so very beautiful. I don’t think I will ever be able to wrap my head around the opulence of European cathedrals until I can see a few for myself. Thank you for sharing Parma, Sandy!
My pleasure. It seems that art often comes from a heart of pain. Glad I could share with you.
This post makes me hungry😂. (Not the ham…). You folk have really traveled far across Europe! Thank you for the lovely music too. Interesting post.
…and still a way to go!!! Thank you for keeping in contact with us. It means a lot.
Amazing artwork and still around for the world to see!!
Yes, that is what is so amazing! Sat next to and stroked a Roman marble lion outside. No glass or other protection. I hope we leave something behind other than broken glass.
Wow!! Those frescos and arches are simply divine. I can’t even imagine standing beneath them and taking it all in. It must be overwhelming to some degree. Thank you for the video of the bell tower chiming. It took me there and frankly took my breathe away. This is someplace I need to visit.
Yes, please do! I was worried about the bell tower video. I didn’t think it was good enough but it made me feel inspired so I am glad you liked it.
I loved it! I felt transported with you.