Today, we are moving from Ancona to Merano and I’m giving my voice straight to @mongris8, as she has covered all the bases. “The night before yesterday, we were still in Ancona, but after six hours of travelling at night, we have arrived to Merano (a nice town in South Tyrol, northern Italy), for the penultimate LP concert in Italy (in June, of course). We had to park our car along the road and sleep inside the car and drink more coffee than usual, but at least we will remember this crazy Summer for many years to come.”
“This time, the location was definitely unusual – The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. It’s a wonderful and famous botanical garden located in the grounds of Trauttmansdorff Castle, with local and exotic plants and a ‘Water-Lily Pond’ in the centre of the garden.” And a little bit more trivia: The gardens were initially laid out circa 1850 by Count Trauttmansdorff during the castle’s restoration. Empress Elisabeth of Austria was a frequent visitor to Merano and its gardens. That’s why a bronze bust was placed in the Merano gardens after her assassination in Geneva in 1898.
Photo courtesy of Ilaria Silva @yellilaria, shared via Instagram
“LP left Ancona along with the band & staff, after her concert late at night, and arrived in Merano just before noon. She spent yesterday’s afternoon in the gardens of the castle. At first, the place was quiet so she, musicians and all her staff could easily visit and wander around. We were there as well (for a little bit we also travelled along the road behind her bus ), but in the gardens we’ve stayed away, we didn’t want to disturb them… We didn’t ask for pictures or anything, by choice. ”
“So, guess where did the untiring star of the universe sang? Exactly in the middle of the pond, on a floating stage. The spectators were at a greater distance than usual, but the surrounding landscape made this physical detachment less ‘dramatic’. The ‘seats’ were set in this natural amphitheatre and the seductive scents of plants and flowers inebriated the cool night air. A new way to appreciate the voice of that extraterrestrial woman, and – I confess – a crazy desire to jump into the lake and swim up to her… a desire that was not fulfilled.” Frankly, I was surprised that no one tried to swim up to her!
“It was an overwhelming visual and audio experience… so spectacular and fabulous. The concert was magical as always, and I was (yet again!) delightfully captivated by her magnetic charisma – the more I see her, the more it’s not enough. I had thought that the nature that surrounded us would create a more languid and sweet, tenderly bucolic atmosphere, instead… we were set on fire, but it felt so good… Someone give me back the balance and the saneness of my ordinary days, but not immediately, not now… Let me fly in the warm wind of her music for a while, without worries and responsibilities. Because only if I lose myself I will be able to find myself again.”
And now @fr_colors, this time she was able to find her words! “Yesterday we’ve had another incredible night! The venue was so incredible and all what surrounded us was so relaxing… The gig was simply wonderful. You know, I love almost ALL LP’s songs, but the new ones, ‘Recovery’ & ‘Dreamer’, are just beautiful. ‘Dreamer’ has hit my soul from the first notes and her voice left me literally without words. I’ve heard ‘Dreamer’ for the first time in Ancona, and it stunned me (positively). As I was watching people standing close to me and my friend in Merano, they were without words as well…”.
“The set list was the same as in Ancona, however the show seemed a little shorter, because LP couldn’t leave the stage located in Merano gardens before her encore, just like she did in Ancona. [After all, she was in the middle of the pond!] Instead, they’ve played all the songs in a sequence. There wasn’t enough space for her to wait and to be called for the encore, so that’s why some people thought the show was much shorter than usually.”
Photo courtesy of Ilaria Silva @yellilaria, shared via Instagram
“During ‘Strange’ something funny happened: when she threw her harmonica into the air, she risked losing it in the pond, but… she thankfully caught it in the last moment! So afterwards everyone took a breath… and laughed. The second throw was much, much better and then, in no time she threw the harmonica yet again – I guess she likes to practice! She laughed about it, but… what a risker!! It was an amazing night – when her voice hits your soul, everything disappears and nothing else exists… And, as I’m writing my words, we are already in Stupinigi-Torino, waiting for LP and her last concert in Italy – but only for now!”
Photo courtesy of Ilaria Silva @yellilaria, shared via Instagram
AND, a short report from Magali, my French reporter 🙂 “I’ve attended many concerts and festivals but I’ve never been to a festival in such a beautiful place. The floating stage with all those flowers around us and mountains in the background was so beautiful. Unfortunately, the stage was very far from the audience. That’s what LP told us too : “you are so far“. But, we could listen to the soundcheck after which, LP was on her way to the backstage. But before she reached her destination, she stayed with her fans for a very long period of time: I think she took at last 1.000 selfies with her fans – what an amazing woman!
“The beginning of the concert was the same as the day before, with a soundtrack of LP’s voice, talking about her fans. (I also believe, like you, that at some concerts or festivals there will be a video to that part). At the end of ”Muddy Waters’ LP’s harmonica was about to fall in the water. LP also found funny to see fishes in the front row, instead of her fans! 🙂 And the audience loved the new song ‘Dreamer’.”
Thank you girls for taking your time despite being tired and travelling and everything else! I am thankful you are sharing your experience with those who are not in Italy at the moment! At least, we can re-live your memories, while waiting for the concerts which we will be attending. And, at the very end of this post, for beautiful set of pictures from Ancona, click here!
Anna from Poland. I have been a blogger for a long time, but more in a royal field. Since 'meeting' LP through her music and as a person, a lot has changed. If I'm not working on my blog, I work as a teacher. I love to travel, read & dance. I sing & play uke when no one listens. Music was always a big part of my life.
