Francesco Geminiani

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Francesco Geminiani by Nicola Domenici, 2017
Piazza Guidiccioni
Lucca, June 2024

"Francesco Xaverio Geminiani (baptised 5 December 1687 – 17 September 1762) was an Italian violinist, composer, and music theorist. BBC Radio 3 once described him as ‘now largely forgotten, but in his time considered almost a musical god, deemed to be the equal of Handel and Corelli’. Born in Lucca, he received lessons in music from Alessandro Scarlatti, and studied the violin under Carlo Ambrogio Lonati in Milan and afterwards under Arcangelo Corelli. From 1707 he took the place of his father in the Cappella Palatina of Lucca. From 1711, he led the opera orchestra at Naples, as Leader of the Opera Orchestra and concertmaster, which gave him many opportunities for contact with Alessandro Scarlatti. After a brief return to Lucca, in 1714, he set off for London in the company of Francesco Barsanti, where he arrived with the reputation of a virtuoso violinist, and soon attracted attention and patrons, including William Capel, 3rd Earl of Essex, who remained a consistent patron. In 1715 Geminiani played his violin concerti for the court of George I, with Handel at the keyboard." (Francesco Geminiani, Wikipedia)

Meran Hotel

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Meran Hotel
Václavské náměstí, Nové Město
Prague, September 2024

“The Meran Hotel, Wenceslas Square (formerly the Hotel Garni) was designed by Alois Dryák and Jan Letzel, and constructed between 1895 and 1906. Directly abutting on this building is another fine example of contemporary art nouveau work, the Grand Hotel Evropa.” (Meran Hotel, The Prague Vitruvius)

Monumento ai Caduti

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Monumento ai Caduti (War Memorial) by Alfredo Angeloni, 1930
Piazzale del Risorgimento
Lucca, June 2024

"The monument, situated in piazza del Risorgimento near Lucca train station and S. Pietro gate in the town walls, has a large, tall stone base with steps. Above this there is a vertical element where, at either side, there are two high-relief statues (the Sacrifice; the Warrior). The structure is topped by a bronze equestrian statue of a classical warrior on a horse, with a small winged victory in his left hand and a flag pole in the right. The Lucca War Memorial was inaugurated, after eight years of work, numerous bureaucratic iterative, changes of plan and differences of opinion on its location, in 1930 in the presence of the King." (Lucca War Memorial, The Lands of Giacomo Puccini)

Danza Invisible

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Street named after the band
Calle Danza Invisible
Torremolinos, March 2024

“Danza Invisible are a Spanish new wave band founded in 1981 in Torremolinos, Spain, by Ricardo Texidó from the group Cámara, together with Chris Navas and Manolo Rubio from the punk group Adrenalina. Shortly after, Antonio Gil joined the guitar section. The last to join the band was Javier Ojeda, who replaced Ricardo Texidó as lead vocalist.They are one of the bands considered to have been part of the countercultural movement in Madrid in the 1980s. Their most popular songs include Sin aliento, Sabor de amor, A este lado de la carretera, and Agua sin Sueño. In 2022 they went on a sold out tour finishing in Palais de Rei.” (Danza Invisible, Wikipedia)

Ducal Palace

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Ducal Palace
Piazza Roma
Modena, May 2024

“The Ducal Palace of Modena is a Baroque palace in Modena, Italy. It was the residence of the Este Dukes of Modena between 1452 and 1859. It currently houses a portion of the Italian Military Academy. The palace occupies the site of the former Este Castle, once at the periphery of the city. Although generally credited to Bartolomeo Avanzini, it has been suggested that advice and guidance in the design process had been sought from Pietro da Cortona, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. The Palace has a Baroque façade, from which the Honour Court and the Honour Staircase can be accessed.” (Ducal Palace of Modena, Wikipedia)

Blueprint Event Space

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Blueprint Event Space
Butler's Wharf
Shad Thames, Bermondsey
London, May 2023

“The newly renovated events space is a hidden gem that occupies the gloriously bright space on the first floor of what used to be London’s design museum. The perfect space for corporate and private events, as well as being an iconic spot to host wedding celebrations. During the warmer months, the venue’s glass doors open to create a sense of al fresco dining with an outdoor terrace, while during the winter months, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer unrivalled views of the Thames.” (Blueprint Event Space, D&D London)

Basilica of San Prospero

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Basilica of San Prospero
Piazza di San Prospero
Reggio Emilia, May 2024

“The Basilica of San Prospero is a Renaissance-style, Roman Catholic church with a late Baroque-style facade, located on Piazza di San Prospero in central Reggio Emilia, Italy.A church known as San Prospero di Castello, located inside the city walls, is known prior to 997. San Prospero, a fifth century bishop, became the patron saint of the town. In 1514, during the expansion of the city walls, the church and its adjacent monastery, the dilapidated church, nearly in ruins, was demolished. The church was moved some 600 meters and its adjacent bell tower underwent reconstructions. By 1527 a new church was completed with designs by Luca Corti and Matteo Florentino.” (San Prospero, Wikipedia)