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Umbria, A Harmony of Art and Nature: Orvieto, Todi, and Lake Corbara with Kate Bolton-Porciatti

Umbria, A Harmony of Art and Nature: Orvieto, Todi, and Lake Corbara with Kate Bolton-Porciatti


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

A series of ‘armchair journeys’ exploring the astonishing wealth of important art, historic architecture, and spectacular natural scenery in Umbria – an area popularly known as the ‘green heart’ of Italy which boasts numerous UNESCO-protected sites. Seminars may be taken as a series or individually, but each one is devised to be a feasible itinerary for anyone planning to visit the area.
Guided by cultural historian Kate Bolton-Porciatti, each conversation will interweave history and cultural context into a richly evocative virtual tour, taking in famous art cities and also wandering off the beaten path to offer the discerning visitor insights into places where man and nature coexist in serene harmony.
Today we explore one of the most beautiful and dramatically situated hill towns in all Italy: Orvieto, which clings to a red volcanic tufa outcrop dominating the Umbrian plains. We wander its streets, tracing its Etruscan and Roman origins, visit its soaring Gothic cathedral - radiantly adorned with frescoes by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli - and explore the labyrinthine caves on which it's built.
As we wend our way eastwards, we virtually trek through the luxuriant nature reserve of Mount Peglia, recently declared a Unesco world heritage site. We stop off at pretty Lake Corbara before reaching our final destination: the enchanting and unspoiled town of Todi. Dubbed ‘the world’s most livable town’, it’s a masterpiece of medieval architecture immersed in Umbria’s verdant hills.
This conversation is part of a five-part series on Umbria with Kate Bolton-Porciatti. Each session is designed as a stand-alone seminar as well as part of a five-week series.

Kate Bolton-Porciatti is a professor of Italian cultural history and music at the Istituto Lorenzo de'Medici in Florence, where she teaches BA and MA courses in the humanities. She also lectures at the British Institute, Florence, and at the Chigiana Music Academy in Siena. Kate has published extensively as an academic and a journalist; she is a music critic for BBC Music and a travel writer for The Daily Telegraph, UK. Before moving to Italy permanently in 2005, she was a senior producer and broadcaster for BBC Arts & Classical Music in London and has won prestigious Jerusalem and Sony Awards for her programs. She did her M.Phil. thesis in Italy, exploring the musical culture of early Renaissance Florence.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 28 reviews
86%
(24)
11%
(3)
0%
(0)
4%
(1)
0%
(0)
A
Ann Rose (Palmetto Bay, US)
Kate Bolton-Porciatti is always fabulous!

I know from my experience with Kate Bolton-Porciatti's programs on the Neighborhoods of Florence and on Assisi that even if my husband and I have been to those areas numerous times and feel like we know a great deal about them, we always learn all sorts of new things about the region, the history, the art and architecture, the city and rural life in those areas both in the past and currently, nearby villages and hamlets, and more. I also enjoy her perspective and occasional wit - she's a comfortable presenter to listen to. The still photography (both nature and art), the videos, and the pictures pulled from the archives to show past history are always so well chosen. She has a sense of balance in her use of time, so the session moves forward with energy but also with enough lingering for the viewer to enjoy the subject she is addressing. Her programs are masterful, and the one on Orvieto was no exception!

G
Ginnie (Brantford, CA)
Umbria - Orvieto, Todi, and Lake Corbara

It’s such a beautiful part of the world and Kate Bolton-Porciatti really brings it to life with her commentary and videos. She’s an excellent guide.

L
L. (Phoenix, US)
Wonderful

Excellent presentation- enjoyed learning about these towns. Even though we have been to some of them, we learned new things.

k
k. (Chicago, US)

It was another great lecture interspersed with interesting photos, videos, walks, etc. You never get bored when Kate is presenting. Thank you.

A
A. (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 28 reviews
86%
(24)
11%
(3)
0%
(0)
4%
(1)
0%
(0)
A
Ann Rose (Palmetto Bay, US)
Kate Bolton-Porciatti is always fabulous!

I know from my experience with Kate Bolton-Porciatti's programs on the Neighborhoods of Florence and on Assisi that even if my husband and I have been to those areas numerous times and feel like we know a great deal about them, we always learn all sorts of new things about the region, the history, the art and architecture, the city and rural life in those areas both in the past and currently, nearby villages and hamlets, and more. I also enjoy her perspective and occasional wit - she's a comfortable presenter to listen to. The still photography (both nature and art), the videos, and the pictures pulled from the archives to show past history are always so well chosen. She has a sense of balance in her use of time, so the session moves forward with energy but also with enough lingering for the viewer to enjoy the subject she is addressing. Her programs are masterful, and the one on Orvieto was no exception!

G
Ginnie (Brantford, CA)
Umbria - Orvieto, Todi, and Lake Corbara

It’s such a beautiful part of the world and Kate Bolton-Porciatti really brings it to life with her commentary and videos. She’s an excellent guide.

L
L. (Phoenix, US)
Wonderful

Excellent presentation- enjoyed learning about these towns. Even though we have been to some of them, we learned new things.

k
k. (Chicago, US)

It was another great lecture interspersed with interesting photos, videos, walks, etc. You never get bored when Kate is presenting. Thank you.

A
A. (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment