Mercoledi Marzo 16

As the Palazza della Signoria was being prepared for the big celebration tomorrow——the 150 anniversary of the Unification of Italy—we were preparing for our departure. It is kind of ironic that Italy’s Unification is celebrated on the Irish St. Patrick’s Day, but, this is Italy, and what could be better!

The rain that set in late yesterday stayed with us throughout the day—our first full wet day since leaving New York ten days ago. Try as it may, it didn’t disrupt our plans. A brisk walk across the Arno to view the fresco sequence by Masaccio, Masolino, and Filippino Lippi depicting the life of St. Peter in the Brancacci Chapel was followed by lunch at Palazzo Capponi. Below is a recap of the Capponi experience.

In the pictures here, we see the boys in the cloister at Saint Maria del Carmine listening to a lecture after viewing the Brancacci Chapel.

While at the palazzo, thanks to the generosity of a wonderful Saint David’s family, the boys viewed the magnificent ballroom of the palazzo decorated with frescos by the mannerist painter Poccetti.

A visit to the Ufizzi brought our day to a close.

After dinner, Colin J., Student Council President, hosted Final Festivities at Hotel Kraft, leading his classmates in reflections on their Italian Study Tour experience, and in song and dance. It was thoroughly entertaining and very touching.

Tonight we pack.

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This morning our fifth graders continued a great year-end tradition at Saint David's, The Fifth Grade Musical. The boys performed Oliver! and they were fantastic, providing impressive performances and demonstrating great vocal ability. They have been mastering the dialogue and musical numbers for weeks, and clearly gave it their all. Congratulations to the cast on a job well done, and to their Producers/Teachers James Hubbard and Jamie MacNeille, Director Phyllis Clark, Musical Conductor Jeff Moore, and the Parent Committee of Cynthia Chapman, Susan Kissane, Tara Neumann, Joyce Restituto, and Ann Roberts. Musical theater is alive and well at Saint David's!

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