The international bestselling author delivers "e;a delightful look at the gondola as cultural icon, marvel of construction and object of romance and mystery"e; (Judith Malafronte, Opera News).Of all the trademarks of Venice-and there are many, from the gilded Basilica of San Marco to the melancholy Bridge of Sighs-none is more ubiquitous than the gondola. In Gondola, the acclaimed "e;American with the Venetian heart,"e; 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-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-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.
| ISBN: | 9780802192523 |
| Publication date: | 10th March 2015 |
| Author: | Leon, Donna |
| Publisher: | Grove Atlantic |
| Format: | Ebook (Epub) |