Gondola

The international bestselling author delivers "a delightful look at the gondola as cultural icon, marvel of construction and object of romance and mystery" (Judith Malafronte, Opera News ). Of all the trademarks of Venice#8212;and there are many, from the gilded Basilica of San Marco to the melancholy Bridge of Sighs#8212;none is more ubiquitous than the gondola. In Gondola , the acclaimed "American with the Venetian heart," tells the fascinating story of this famous boat, complete with gorgeous full-color illustrations (The Washington Post). First used in medieval Venice as a deftly maneuverable getaway boat, the gondola evolved over the centuries into a floating pleasure palace, bedecked in silk, that facilitated the romantic escapades of the Venetian elite. Sumptuary laws turned it black#8212;a gleaming, elegant hue for a boat manned by robust gondolieri in their iconic black-and-white-striped shirts and straw hats. Each boat is carefully fashioned in a maestro's workshop#8212;though Leon also recounts a tale of an American friend who attempted to make a gondola all on his own. Once its arched prow pushes off from the dock, the single Venetian at its oar just might break out in a barcarole, the popular songs sung by gondolieri . Please note this ebook edition does not include audio recordings Please note, this e-book edition does not include the audio recordings of Venetian barcarole. Of all the trademarks of Venice, none is more ubiquitous than the gondola. In this beautifully illustrated collection, internationally bestselling author Donna Leon tells fascinating stories about these famous boats. First used in medieval Venice as an easily maneuverable getaway boat, the gondola evolved over the centuries into a floating pleasure palace that facilitated the romantic escapades of the Venetian elite. Now a tourist favorite, the gondola has never ceased to be a part of authentic Venice. Each boat's 280 pieces are carefully fashioned in a maestro's workshop-though Leon also recounts a tale of an American friend who decided to make a gondola all on his own, a feat that took five years to complete. But the gondola is a work of art well worth the labor, and no author is better poised to write about them than Leon, the "American with the Venetian heart" (Washington Post) Of all the trademarks of Venice, none is more ubiquitous than the gondola. In this beautifully illustrated collection, internationally bestselling author Donna Leon tells fascinating stories about this famous boat. First used in medieval Venice as an easily maneuverable getaway boat, the gondola evolved over the centuries into a floating pleasure palace that facilitated the romantic escapades of the Venetian elite. Now a tourist favorite, the gondola has never ceased to be a part of authentic Venice. Each boats 280 pieces are carefully fashioned in a maestro s workshopthough Leon also recounts a tale of an American friend who decided to make a gondola all on his own, a feat that took five years to complete. But the gondola is a work of art well worth the laborand the barcarole sung from its prow are no less masterful. The best of these popular sings sung by the gondolieri are included on an accompanying CD, including an exclusive track from Cecilia Bartoli. Please note, this e-book edition does not include the audio recordings of Venetian barcarole. Of all the trademarks of Venice, none is more ubiquitous than the gondola. In this beautifully illustrated collection, internationally bestselling author Donna Leon tells fascinating stories about these famous boats. First used in medieval Venice as an easily maneuverable getaway boat, the gondola evolved over the centuries into a floating pleasure palace that facilitated the romantic escapades of the Venetian elite. Now a tourist favorite, the gondola has never ceased to be a part of authentic Venice. Each boat's 280 pieces are carefully fashioned in a maestro 's workshop—though Leon also recounts a tale of an American friend who decided to make a gondola all on his own, a feat that took five years to complete. But the gondola is a work of art well worth the labor, and no author is better poised to write about them than Leon, the “American with the... Accompanied by a CD of Italian boat songs, this fascinating history of the gondola, which was first used in medieval Venice as a maneuverable getaway boat, reveals how it evolved over the centuries into a floating pleasure palace that facilitated the romantic escapades of the Venetian elite A rumination on Venice, its gondolas and its music. The book includes a CD of barcarole.