Reinout Bosman
Dear readers, first of all, thank you for the deluge of responses that have been released as a result of the first article about Milan. Your reactions were priceless. Thanks for the honorary title 'Milan-hater', I wear it with a big smile. Because the reality is different… ☺. I take you in part two of the shivers of Milan.
I walk out of the station and walk towards the Duomo. And indeed, walking slowly I feel the vibrations of Milan. But then because today something very exciting awaits me. I'm auditioning to be able to sing during the opening of Masterly – The Dutch in Milano, which takes place during the Milan Design Week, from 8 to 14 April 2019.
Once I arrived at the Duomo, I was again amazed at how beautiful it is. The architecture, the shapes, the sunlight that creates a beautiful reflection on the marble. Now that the fog has lifted, Milan is slowly starting to take on some color. I walk past the Teatro alla Scala towards Via Meravigli, where the audition will take place.
Arriving at Palazzo Turatti I have to wait a little longer before I see the organizer of the event and we can start warming up voices and mental preparation. I sing the Musica Probita, an ode to love and a tribute to Italy, is included in a serenade that was widely sung in the Italian 60s.
As I warm up my voice I think about the city. Somehow she reminds me a bit of San Francisco, mainly because of the streetcar that runs through the city and the old colored houses.
Time to sing
Anyway, I didn't come to Milan for the San Francisco feeling. First the audition. It's my turn and I walk into the courtyard of the Palazzo Turatti. I stand and close my eyes for a moment. I take a deep breath and notice that I am quite calm. Now open my heart and sing. I start and create the whole song. I look at the five people in front of me. They listen carefully and don't flinch. One picks up his phone to film my performance.
When I start the chorus, I feel myself getting warm. My throat opens even wider and I feel free. For a moment, in half a second, it flashes through my mind that I'm just standing in Milan, auditioning for a big event and singing like my life depends on it. When I hit the last high note, it goes silent. Then, very slowly, I hear applause. I look up and see the palazzo employees hanging out of the windows and clapping.
I look at the people in front of me. I see slight emotion and big smiles. 'How was it?' I look at the organizer doubtfully. She smiles. 'As far as I'm concerned you've been hired! We're going to do it!' Relieved and full of adrenaline, I look around me. April 9 I will be here again. An enormous tension is lifted from my shoulders and for the first time I look around me in real peace. "This is cool!"
Lunch time
After the audition, I bounce to my lunch date with the girlfriend who came to pick me up from the station. We walk into the Navigli, another district of Milan that I like to visit, because with its canals it reminds a bit of Amsterdam and has a very intimate atmosphere, while it is actually the center of world culture with a choice of international restaurants, with specialties of all over the world.
In the Navigli there is a long and very good meal Il Cortiletto dell'Alzaia 56 (so no cowardly risotto for me, but delicious Milanese typical dishes!). We take the time to take in the environment. It is very beautiful here, I must admit. The colours, the light, the atmosphere... after all the hectic this morning, it is really relaxing in the Navigli.
Parco Sempione, La Scala and via…
After lunch I say goodbye to my girlfriend and continue to my last appointment. This one is again near the Scala. I decide to take the metro to the Parco Sempione to walk around a bit. Sempione is also impressive: I take a moment to sit on a bench and look around. The locals enjoy sitting on the grass reading a book or making music. The atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed, on a Thursday afternoon.
After my appointment at the Scala I return to the station. For a moment I catch a glimpse of the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II and I walk down the Viale to the Central Station. Unfortunately I don't have enough time to really take in Milan, but I do know that I think it's a beautiful city.
Different from the other Italian cities… Almost un-Italian I would say, probably because of the strong international character. What really strikes me is that a lot Milanese have short fuses. There is a lot of yelling and impatient honking, which I see less in my Renaissance town, which I am very happy to live there.
As far as I'm concerned, the big cities are wonderful for a few days and then quickly return to the world of the Medici with its open-air museum, warm colours, beautiful light and (musical) history.
Because, whether you want to read it or not: The most beautiful city is and remains… Florence ☺.
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