The Opera House with pots of flowers

The Opera House is not that new as it was built in 1880 something. I think the plants are begonais - I shall have a look tomorrow morning and let you know! The palms however are growing in the ground.

Hi Marguerite - I had a look this morning and at first glance from a distance they seemed like little roses but they're not. I didn't have my camera with me but there were 4 little bright red petals in a posy. The begonias I remembered seeing are in a big pot nearby.

Oops sorry, Marguerite I misread your comment, stupidly thinking you meant the bigger trees!! - yes of course you are right, they are palms growing in the bigger pots ....

When I lived in Rome I studied Ballet, as so many young girls do. My teacher trained ballet dancers who worked at the Opera House. A highlight of my life was when she offered us tickets to see Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev dance there. They performed 'Marguerite et Armand' , 'Le Corsair' and were supported by the Rome Ballet Company. That was an evening I shall never forget.

I can well believe you will never forget that evening Xela. There' something magical about the whole atmosphere. In fact, as I walk to and from work, I often see Carla Fracci sitting at one the bar's pavement tables opposite the Opera House. She always wears white and even tho' I know she is a very tough lady, she looks so frail and waif-like.