Anziano and Sorella Mumford in Piazza del Duomo in Milano, Italy (April 23, 2023)
Our NEXT ADVENTURE--MORE LIKE A "BUCKET LIST ITEM" (If I had a bucket List)---but this was a DREAM. I found out a few months ago that Tuesday, April 25, 2023 was a National Holiday--kind of like our 4th of July. Since it was a NATIONAL HOLIDAY--everything was to close--including the Temple. So that meant that we would have a Sunday, a Monday and a Tuesday that was OURS. I got an IDEA. I started looking up LaScala, in Milano, for available programs on that Monday or Tuesday.in April. Initially, I was looking for an Opera or a Ballet--after all, this is one of the most famous Opera Houses in the world, but those 2 "Seasons" of performance were not on the Roster until the end of July thru October. And then the cost--oh my--it was well. . . let's just say . . . not in my budget. But then when I talked with Ron, and when he found out that most operas were 3.5 hours long--and Ballets were 4.0 hours-- He said if there was something less involved (my cue for "cheaper and shorter") he thought it was doable. WELL--another look at the calendar and I found the "PERFECT" PERFORMANCE!! A Concert by the LaScala Symphony Orchestra doing a program of Tchaikovsky and Shoshostky--and it was 2.0 hours. As I looked for seats--there were limited seats in the Balcony and it was hard to find 2 together. So my next choice was the BOX SEATS. In most theaters, there are 6 seats in each Box, except those on the curve--where there are only 5. This option is less pricey than the Gallery IF you choose the 2 seats on Row 3 in the Box (last row). From the "seating map" I tried to find some inexpensive seats on the next tier--but knew I'd better stay away from the "Box seats". Well, I found some seats that looked like a pretty good view--(some seats alert you to a "post" obscuring part of the view (but not these) so I booked them. We were on our Way!!! We rode the Fast Train to Milano, leaving Sunday (April 23) after meetings and we returned Tuesday early evening (April 25). Now, why, you say, is LaScala so famous. Well you know me, I just have to give a few short notes about LaScala.
The Teatro alla Scala in Milan is among the world's most famous opera houses. Most of the greatest singers of the past 200 years have appeared here. It was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala.
The word 'scala' just means 'staircase'. The theatre was built on the site of the church of Santa Maria della Scala – Holy Mary of the Staircase. Apparently a sick child had once been cured because its mother put a statue of the Virgin on the landing.
The theatre has more than 3000 seats organized into 678 pit-stalls, arranged in six tiers of boxes above which is the 'loggione' or two galleries.
La Scala Opera House is one of Milan's favourite attractions and noted as one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Since its opening in 1778 it has played host to the greatest names and performances in opera. It was closed from 2004-2007 for major renovations and the entire "world of opera (and performance)" waited anxiously for it's
Reopening with the 2008 Season. BELOW--- Seating chart that I had to choose the seats from. Only a "seasoned" on-line ticket purchaser could tell where the BOX SEATS were.
--now back to my "Review" of this Grand Concert Hall. It was Marvelous--the grandeur of a world renowned Opera House lived up to its past and reputation. I really didn't even know what kind of seat I had booked, until we got there, and the Usher took us to a door and unlocked it--And then I realized it was a BOX SEAT!! We were the first ones in "the Box." I WALKED IN and this unbelievably rich view of the interior of this grand opera house hit me!! I sat down to take it all in and was mesmerized by the different things going on below and onstage. As I was sitting on one of those front row seats in this Box---two lovely women from Milano who had purchased them--came in. When we went to move--the one lady, who had a brace on her leg--looked at me and then told me to "stay right where you are"--I need more room tonight." So I had a front-row Box Seat in LaScala and it was GRAND!!. Never have 2 hours gone by so quickly!! I enjoyed every moment.
We were also able to walk all over Milano--checking out THE DUOMO--one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the World. Ron showed me the area in this Piazza where he and 5 other Missionaries were able to set up a street board back in the Fall of 1969 and try to talk to passersby about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We also went to another little Square, the "Piazza Irnerio #11", which was where the Church members met in Milano. The building is gone and a Marriott Hotel is being built on the property. Progress. . . I guess. But we did have a good time "reliving"some of Ron's memories from Milano some 54+ years ago.
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.Inside the magnificent La Scala in the center of Milano. I never imagined myself
inside this world renowned, acoustical classic and one of the principal opera houses in the world!
So--even now, I cannot believe that we were there. (psst--our "Box" was on this right side, 2nd level up--next to the person you can see looking out--see how GRAND it was!)
Anziano and Sorella Mumford outside LaScala (or Teatro alla Scala as it is referred to in most performance circles).
Strolling down a sidewalk in Milano--and we end up purchasing this painting that truly "spoke to both of our hearts"!
I have to mention this little "incident" that happened on our way to see The Duomo. The streets in the center of Milano are quite "torn up" right now, some major renovation project--but not much information posted as yet. So we could see the Duomo but we tried several ways to get there and were either blocked or rerouted. Eventually we ended up going down a street that had a LEGOS STORE on the corner. We hurried past it and out of the corner of my eye--I saw a large model of The Duomo made out of creamy white LEGOS (perhaps not to scale--but very identifiable and beautiful). Immediately I thought of some of our Grands who LOVE LEGOS and knew I just had to get a picture of it. So I told Ron, "I think we need to go back to that store". He looked at me quizzically--and then said "Well, OK". So we back-tracked until we reached the store and this creation was even better "close up" than I had imagined. We have found that many stores employ "larger than life" Security Guards that stand at the entrance and due to their height, they have a birds-eye view of much of what goes on in the store. Well this really tall black man, nicely dressed, saw us come in and flashed a great big smile. I sure didn't know where that came from--but made my way to the Duomo model made of LEGOS. As we were admiring it and taking a couple of pictures, my eyes were drawn to this Security Guard. He flashed another smile and as we were finishing and making our way back to go out of the store--he stopped us and asked about my Missionary Badge. He asked if this was the Church that had a large building in Rome that was called a Temple. We nodded YES and we told him that we were currently serving there as Missionaries. Then he told us that he had been attending this Church in MILANO for about 4 months and he was very interested and excited about it. He thanked us for stopping in and for talking with him. I think that's the reason we were supposed to "go back".
And these are the picks we got of that LEGOS Duomo and walking to the Piazza where Ron served in Italy That entire short trip will be such a vivid memory for me for a very long time.
THE LEGOS DUOMO
JUST A FUN LEGOS ROCKETAnd we were blessed by more VISITORS from home!! President Ron Smellie and his wife Heather brought their whole family to Italy!! Their son, Luke, served his mission here in Rome and environs and returned home the week after we arrived here. We saw him at Church our first Sunday in the Mission and heard him bear a very heart-felt testimony on that Fast Sunday. And then he was released and left that next Thursday. But we knew that President Smellie had plans to return with his entire family and visit the areas where Elder Luke Smellie had served. President Smellie is also a "Returned Missionary from Italy" and that was another bond that he and my Ron had while serving together in the Preston North Stake Presidency from 2000 to 2009. So it was so wonderful to welcome them here, enjoy a meal and some of their precious vacation time and even do some Sealings in the Rome Temple with some of them on an early morning Session before they continued their family trip. We so LOVE Visitors and were sad to see them leave.
From the Balcony of our Apartment in Rome, italy
Back L to R: Taylor Smellie, Dax Golightly, Heather, Luke, Ron, Austin and Maddie Smellie
Front L to R: Lauren Smellie (soon to be Golightly) Sorella and Anziano Mumford
And so the end of April, first week of May were truly filled with sweet visits and visitors and the Temple is entering its busiest time so far in our Mission. It is so exciting to see full sessions and many completing Ordinance Work for their deceased family members. One day, a few weeks ago, the Baptistry was filled for 2 sessions (50+ Youth) who, with their leaders, had come from other parts of Italy, outside of Rome, so these Youth could have this Baptisms for the Dead opportunity. And many had brought their own Family Names. I know for those of us in the Idaho-Utah areas --this number is quite common--but not for the Rome, Italy Temple. It was amazing. Just this week (May 11th) one of our Endowment Sessions was almost entirely filled with Italian Women (40) from a Stake near Verona, Italy. They planned it and traveled together to stay in Patron Housing and do Temple work for 2 days. Verona is north of Rome--so by car it would be about a 5-hour drive--one way. And they were so excited to be here and be in the Temple. Such is the work and sacrifice of these lovely Saints. And there are other groups coming, who have their reservations and plan to fill the temple in all areas. This is an exciting time!
And so I close THIS POST, and thank you again for all your love and support.
HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!! HURRAH!
Sorella and Anziano Mumford
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