Singing in Gondolas

We took a most amazing ride in gondolas while in Venice. This would be useless to write about without pictures. Here is the other half of our group getting into their gondola.

We had hardly gotten under way when our leader, Rona Commins, began singing. Actually, it was I who started things off with "Belle nuit" from Contes de Hoffmann, but neither of us could exactly remember it. This particular duet is supposed to be sung while riding in a gondola, I believe.

Rona insists that the gondoliers prefer that she sing Puccini, "O mio babbino caro" and "Vissi d'arte" are favorites. I sang along only for Schubert's "Ave Maria."

People are staring from a passing vapparetto.

It was a lovely long ride that took us past the Rio del Malibran.

People riding in another gondola.

Here is an irresistible gondola crossing sign.