we have tickets booked tonight for a 2cellos concert in rome
but before that a day to fill up so some re-visits are planned
the first stop - abbazia di farfa - the territorial abbey of farfa
this rated as one of the most famous abbeys in all of europe
built in the 7th century and still used by the benedictine order
on our last visit we had all sorts of issues finding the place
we could see it on a hill but google maps had a secret route
which had us ensnared on a narrow road onto private property
the correct selection of our target should avoid that problem again
wrong - and worse - we're all over the place trying to get to the abbey
google maps is an amazing resource but over-reliance is punished
a good old road-map would have served us much better at this time
and just as with last time - at the point of giving up - bingo - there
it certainly is an act of determination required to make the distance
sadly though the abbey itself is closed - maybe the case on sundays
we wander the small town and enjoy the serenity there anyway
and note the large crowd gathered in the tavern - sunday lunch?
moving on - next re-visit - tivoli - and one stop only planned
the villa d'este with it's stunning gardens is worth the effort
not our day with google though and another meander taken
eventually dumping the car and walking - it's a small town
we then enjoy lunch under sun umbrellas close to the villa
while the 3 ladies make the visit i park inside the restaurant
the cafe freddo is good but not the wi-fi, staff (meeting) or decor
too close to the action possibly and the tourists taken for granted
this one moves on and spends an hour resting up and waiting
next stop - well some supplies are required so we head west
rome is surrounded by an extraordinary network of roads
these ones all new to us as we then arrive in eastern rome
the modern shopping centre under a glass roof is found
some time killed successfully there until close to showtime
it's a simple drive then to the venue - the baths of caracalla
we previously encircled them on our recent bike tour of rome
tonight we snare a close car park and join the people filing in
a beautiful evening and excitement builds as we have our picnic
then moving inside and assuming our seats in the a reserve section
wow - it's a big crowd and the stage is set for a special concert
the ruins of the baths rising as huge backdrops to the large stage
first up - a local and solo pianist who earnestly plies his trade
mostly significant is the effusive bows between each tune
the crowd going wild when it is thought he has finished
he takes this as a call for more and plays more...and more
thankfully he departs before being hooked from side of stage
the 2 lads wander on stage to a huge and very long welcome
looking older (both bearded) than when last seen in dunedin
back then brilliantly supporting and playing with elton john
here's hoping their freshness and edginess has continued
first tune - a classical piece - sounds great - but - uh-oh
there's a backing track of violins dominating the tune
my thoughts - c'mon guys - why not have live musicians
employ some locals and knock us out with a rich sound
a string of their most well known cover tunes then follow
na - forget the live strings - they wouldn't be able to deliver
for the sound is now like a big production with cellos in the mix
add in the light show and the on-stage screens and it's stadium rock
especially when ac/dc covers with a live drummer are rolled out
yep - someone has promised to make them rich and successful
they take turns at schmoozing the crowd which is lapped up
even when we are asked to hold aloft coloured a4 sheets
and we obey - and sing along to a michael jackson tune
my prediction - coming soon a new hd dvd live in rome
the volume continues to increase to ear-shattering levels
having me seriously concerned for the ancient ruins behind
with at least 4 ac/dc tunes, led zeppelin, rolling stones full bore
if there were any classical purists in the fan base then goodbye
though the final tune is only the lads in dual cello classical mode
phew - they tactfully bring us back to earth - and it's goodnight
thank-you rome - you are one of the best audiences we have had
and see you next year - well - assuming the wave keeps rolling
good luck to them - they have certainly come a long way
as for us - it feels like a long late night trip to home town
with a few missed turns at crucial times - sloppy driver...
