Zucchero is a contemporary Italian singer. In 2017 he will be continuing with his Black Cat 2o17 World Tour. The singer is featured in the novel Dreaming Sophia by Melissa Muldoon. The character of Sophia, although not a great singer, given the right beat, tune, and Italian … [Read more...] about Zucchero – One of Sophia’s favorite Italian Singers
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Sophia’s Gifts
"Dreaming Sophia" is the story of a young American painter named Sophia who is named after La Loren, the legendary movie actress. At the start of the novel, she is a woman blindsided by fate who must come to terms with a devastating tragedy. But, Dreaming Sophia is also a joyful story, at times even … [Read more...] about Sophia’s Gifts
La Befana, the Italian Christmas witch and I have a lovely gift for you!
Christmas has been celebrated and a new year has arrived with lots of pomp and circumstance. It seems like the holidays are finally winding down. Time to think about packing things away in boxes and clear the way for a brand new year. Christmas is over… or is it? The holiday season might be … [Read more...] about La Befana, the Italian Christmas witch and I have a lovely gift for you!
2016 really was a wonderful year!
Happy New Year! Buon anno! As 2016 draws to a close, I have been taking the time to reflect back upon the past year. It seems to me each year flashes by just a little more swiftly. I am often despondent during the lull following December 25th and January 1st. The rush of holiday parties is … [Read more...] about 2016 really was a wonderful year!
Panettone versus Pandoro! Christmas Cake Battles
Panettone versus pandoro! Which will you choose? Buon Natale! It’s that time of year when the season is celebrated with good cheer and lots of good food. In Italy, there are lots and lots of fabulous holiday treats…crunchy nutty brittles, tasty sugary cookies, and sinfully chocolate yule logs. … [Read more...] about Panettone versus Pandoro! Christmas Cake Battles
The holiday lights are on in Florence!
Excerpt from Dreaming Sophia “By the time December arrived, the streets of Florence were less cluttered with tourists. They were now filled with large, starry luminaries that dangled from lampposts. The lights stretched from building to building in zigzaggy, glittery strands all down the street. … [Read more...] about The holiday lights are on in Florence!
Italian Christmas Markets mercatini di natale
Happy December 1st! Christmas is fast approaching. There are only 24 days left to shop! If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Italy at this time of year, you can visit one of the many Italian holiday markets that appear in many cities up and down the boot. These markets are popular with the … [Read more...] about Italian Christmas Markets mercatini di natale
Kidding around in the Italian Language
How do Italian joke around in the Italian language? Reading the novel Dreaming Sophia you will learn a bit of Italian and words the Italian use for joking around. For starters, a battuta is a joke in Italian. The word means “to hit” in the sense of a “punch line of a joke. It can … [Read more...] about Kidding around in the Italian Language
Dreaming Sophia Book Trailer
Dreaming Sophia Book Trailer! Enjoy! Take a sneak peak at the new novel "Dreaming Sophia," by Melissa Muldoon. Melissa Muldoon writes the dual-language blog StudentessaMatta.com in Italian and English. She produces Matta Youtube videos in Italian and co-leads Italian Language Immersion … [Read more...] about Dreaming Sophia Book Trailer
The Nights of Cabiria: Film by Federico Fellini
Nights of Cabiria—in Italian: Le notti di Cabiria—is a 1957 Italian drama film directed by Federico Fellini and starring Giulietta Masina, François Périer, and Amedeo Nazzari. Based on a story by Fellini, the film is about a prostitute in Rome who searches for true love in vain. The film is … [Read more...] about The Nights of Cabiria: Film by Federico Fellini
Dreaming Sophia a novel set in Florence, Italy is here!
Melissa shares her new bookDreaming Sophia with readers in a Youtube Video Chat I wanted to share with my readers a video I made last month shortly after publishing my new novel about Italy called "Dreaming Sophia". In this short video, I talk about my book, the experience of writing it, and … [Read more...] about Dreaming Sophia a novel set in Florence, Italy is here!
1966 Flood devastated Florence. City saved by Mud Angels
Last week marked the 50th anniversary of the flood that devastated Florence in 1966. On November 3rd, after weeks of torrential rains, the Arno’s banks gave way and river water gushed into the city. Florence was caught, virtually unaware that night and was ill-equipped to deal with the aftermath of … [Read more...] about 1966 Flood devastated Florence. City saved by Mud Angels
I Medici the Masters of Florence: Watch how the Duomo was built!
“I Medici - Masters of Florence” is the title of a new television series on Rai Uno (Italian TV). The protagonists of the series are Cosimo de’ Medici, played by Richard Madden and Giovanni de’ Medici played by Dustin Hoffman. The production was produced in English with an international cast, … [Read more...] about I Medici the Masters of Florence: Watch how the Duomo was built!
Waking up to Italy—the art of dreaming
The protagonist Sophia in "Dreaming Sophia" at first rejects the idea of traveling to Italy and following in the footsteps of her mother. Gradually, however, Sophia awakens to the idea after a series of encounters with muses that appear to her in her daydreams. Here is a little teaser from … [Read more...] about Waking up to Italy—the art of dreaming
Borgo a Mozzano—the place to find the Devil on All Saints Day in Italy
At the end of October, Americans celebrate Halloween, but the Italians celebrate All Saints Day. Halloween is a relatively new “imported” holiday for the Italians, and traditional Italians thumb their noses at the “Trick or Treat” or “Dolcetto o Scherzetto” scene. They prefer to save dressing up for … [Read more...] about Borgo a Mozzano—the place to find the Devil on All Saints Day in Italy
Etiquette of the Italian kiss
In Italy, it is a common practice to greet someone with a light kiss on both their cheeks. This is true even if you are just newly acquainted or if you have known someone for quite a long time. At an Italian social event, you can just imagine that half the time is spent kissing people, hello, and … [Read more...] about Etiquette of the Italian kiss
