Interior of Chiesa Orsanmichele

Is there a word for an annoying noise that changes tone and pitch and just gets even more annoying as it crescendos?

Whatever it is – it was in full force outside the Church of Orsanmichele this evening as a packed church waited in eager anticipation for the arrival of musical director Masaaki Suzuki to conduct Passione secondo San Matteo

Unfortunately when he arrived the noise was so loud it was impossible to hear what he said – but I imagine in went something like this : – ” As it is not possible to hear anything in this Church this evening it is – until this matter is  resolved – not possible to play anything! Certainly we all – and there were a lot of us – sat and waited patiently for the Maestro to return – whilst the various Vigile ran hither and yon outside trying to work out how to get into the shop whose fire alarm was persistently driving the whole audience crazy!

Happily just after 21.00  our Music Director decided to bring the Yale School Choir on fortissimo  – and just sing out above the noise.

It was worth the effort – despite their stressful situation the Choir sang well enough to give me a few goosebumps – especially in such a mystical auditorium – definitely Vale la Pena di andare!!

Crowded Church - waiting for the Maestro

Distant glimpse of Masaaki Sukuki - deciding what to do under stressful circumstances