<p>Meanwhile, mine went to Assisi over the weekend with two Smithie friends. She says her reading is intense (since her reading in Italian is still only half her English speed, but is picking up.) Loves her classes (I think she’s bitten off more than she can chew, but we’ll see.) Meeting lots of new folks (Italians of course) in her orchestra. Plans to spend her break in Spilamberto (near Modena) with a third world development organization with which we have worked), and then go up to Turin to see friends, and then to Genoa for the Slow Foods Conference if she can figure out how to get in.</p>
<p>Now trying to get tickets for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the first production of Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo” in Mantua next February.</p>