Get ready! Hold on to your horses (or should I say your lance?) because I'm going to tell you about the Giostra del Saracino. This most thrilling and exciting event occurs in Arezzo every June and September! What is the Giostra del Saracino? It's a medieval jousting tournament that dates back to the 13th century, and it's held in the beautiful Piazza Grande, the heart of Arezzo's historic center. You can experience the Giostra del Saracino with me this year. Listen on! Ascolta bene!

In a new podcast, I take to Ascoli Piceno, where I’m planning a new Italian Language Program this September.

Here is a chance to meet some of the teachers and the school director with whom I am partnering this September to organize a small group Italian language program in le March in the town of Ascoli Piceno from September 11 - 23, 2022. We also go on a short walking tour with Antonella the director of the school.

There are still openings available for the 2022 Ascoli Piceno Italian Language Program! Join us this September 2022!

The Studentessa Matta discusses 5 learning difficulties that many language students encounter and the things they can do to keep their "language learning" boats from faltering and sinking but instead keep their boats afloat, getting them back on track so they can continue full steam ahead!! Follow along with the Youtube Video with transcripts in both Italian and English on the www.StudentessaMatta.com website

This was an incredibly delightful day! The Studentessa Matta Bookclub met Silvia Zucca the author of “Guida Astrologica per cuori infranti” to discuss her book that inspired the hit Netflix series of the same name! In the beginning, when I had this idea to start an Italian book club and I chose Silvia’s book, to begin with, I joked “who knew… at the end perhaps we could even meet the author!” Magical things happen when you speak Italian! Big thanks to the women who participated in the Matta Italian Book club and to Silvia Zucca for a wonderful chat and the opportunity to get to know you and talk with you about your work.

Learn more about Ascoli Piceno, the town in le Marche, where I plan the next "Matta" Italian Language Immersion Program with the Accademia Linguistica Scuola directed by Antonella Valentini and her staff of dedicated teachers. Join me in this charming town, immerse in language and culture, and take your Italian skills further.

In this podcast, la studentessa matta recounts for you the legend of "la donna Bianca" the beautiful fantasma that is trapped inside a castle in Italy. Learn also what the expression "sognare ad occhi aperti" means. Read more Italian legends and learn about Italian culture in Melissa Muldoon's novels set in Italy: Dreaming Sophia, Waking Isabella, Eternally Artemisia, and The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola—all novels available on Amazon in print, epub, & audio.

Transcripts in Italian and English on the www.StudentessaMatta.com website. https://www.studentessamatta.com/leggenda-donna-bianca-italian-youtube-video-legends-ghost-story-novels-set-in-italy-sognare-occhi-aperti

During the month of November 2021, every week I posted a word or an expression combined with an image on the Studentessa Matta Facebook page. In this video, with my special guest Hazel the Bull Dog I present the words of November. These are random words that I came across while reading or that I heard in movies that I found useful and worth highlighting. Improve your Italian Vocabulary with these interesting words and phrases. Visit www.StudentessaMatta.com for transcripts in Italian and English.

Ciao a tutti! Benvenuti al mio canale. Sono la studentessa matta. Welcome to the Youtube channel. I’m the crazy student of Italian. I'm home again after spending seven weeks in Italy. I got my Italy fix and loved spending time in my happy place! To hear about some of my adventures and learn recent updates on the blog and the new Matta "Let's go to Italy!" Small group language programs that I'm organizing for next year—and all the learning opportunities available through the www.StudentessaMatta.com website, Italian Homestays, Conversation Practice, and the schools and individuals with whom I partner so that I can bring you discounts and small gifts…. listen to this podcast. All transcripts in Italian and English available on the Studentessa Matta Website https://www.studentessamatta.com/learn-italian-studentessa-matta-immersion-trips-homestay-language-vacation-affiliates-discounts-conversation-practice-improve-listening-youtube-video-chat/

During the month of October 2021, every week I posted a word or an expression combined with an image on the Studentessa Matta Facebook page. At the end of the month, I compile these word memes on the Studentessa Matta Website. Here is a short video to help you with the pronunciation of these fun words and expressions. You can find the post related to this video following this link: https://www.studentessamatta.com/parole-parole-parole-vocabolario-studentessa-matta-ottobre/

Caravaggio in his day was a controversial figure - both for his style but also for his personal life. Today, however, he is considered an artist who elevated the art of painting and who influenced a generation of painters. I would like to tell you about one of these painters, who is not a man, but a woman. They say that there were many "Caravaggisti" but only one "Caravaggista." Her name is - Artemisia Gentileschi.

I have always been struck by the story of Artemisia and her work. Truly she is a fascinating artist and her story is intriguing about her. Because of my interest in Artemisia I’ve written a historical novel of her life called "Eternally Artemisia." If you would like to know more about Artemisia I invite you to read the novel. It is available on Amazon in Print, Ebook and Audiobook.

https://www.amazon.com/Eternally-Artemisia-loves-women-timeless/dp/0997634871

I'm Melissa the crazy student. Welcome! I am glad you are here with me. Through the Studentessa Matta Podcast channel, we practice Italian together. You can follow the dialogue both in Italian and English on the StudentessaMatta.com website.

https://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-women-rights-diritti-donne-italiane-famiglia-tradizionale-moderna-right-vote-change-social-roles/

Discussing the changing role of women after receiving the right to vote in 1945 and how this emancipation changed the lives of Italian women and their families.

Italian cities throughout Italy celebrate civil and religious festivals, historical re-enactments, local festivals, and events particularly linked to a city or country. But the one event that stands out above them all, at least for me, is the Giostra del Saracino that occurs in Arezzo twice a year in June and September. Living in Arezzo during the joust is the most immersive experience I have ever encountered in Italy! Follow along and learn more about la Giostra del Saraceno.

Transcripts for this Podcast, both in Italian and English, can be found at: https://www.studentessamatta.com

Join the Sept 2021 Italian Language Program in Arezzo. Details about the program are on the www.StudentessaMatta.com

Learn more at: https://www.studentessamatta.com/2021-matta-cultura-italiana-arezzo-language-program

The Macchiaioli who closely resembled the French Impressionists never received the same international acclaim. Let’s take a look at the painters Giovanni Fattori and Claude Monet and compare the two 19th century artistic movements and discover how the invention of paint in tubes change the course of art history. Follow along with transcripts in English & Italian on the www.StudentessaMatta website 

Ox-heads and betrayed husbands… what have they got to do with Florence's Duomo?? Did you know that on the Santa Maria dei Fiori Cathedral in Florence there is the head of an ox that looks down on from on high? What is the meaning of this? In a new post and Youtube Video, Melissa—the Studentessa Matta explores two intriguing explanations—one that has to do with paying tribute and the other with adultery! To read a transcript of the text in Italian and English visit www.StudentessaMatta.com

In a new Studentessa Matta Video, in Italian, I talk about my hometown of Austin, Texas. This is where you can find me when I'm not in Italy! Learn about this funky Texas city, which is also the state capital. Visit the Studentessa Matta website to view transcripts of this video in English and Italian.

For more information and to enroll in the Italian Language Immersion programs visit the StudentessaMatta.com website

It's been a while—13 months in fact—since I last made a video in Italian! Time flies when you are busy publishing a novel, producing Audiobooks, and waiting out the pandemic. But, now after a year, as things begin to sort themselves out and travel seems possible again I thought I'd brush off my video camera and share with you some highlights of this year's upcoming Italian language immersion program in Arezzo scheduled for September 2021. I plan to move forward, and as long as we all are healthy and we have the green light for travel I will meet you in the piazzas of Lucca and Arezzo this coming September!

Sofonisba’s life is as fascinating as her character and clearly Muldoon has done her homework in terms of research. A genuine 16th century ambiance permeates the pages as Muldoon takes us on a virtual tour through the settings of King Phillip’s court in Spain, Sofonisba’s hometown of Cremona, Italy, and the island of Sicily. Also, as is representative of Muldoon’s pervious works, she infuses her own passion for art, history and Italy into this story and it’s evident though the outstanding delivery of such an intricate and engrossing tale.

I have always loved a good legend, filled with mystery and intrigue, and last year when I visited Chiusi, my friends were happy to tell me the story of Porsena the Etruscan King, who was as rich as he was benevolent. But whatever happened to his tomb?

Thanks to everyone who reads the Matta Blog and who follow the Youtube Channel. I am eternally grateful that through the internet I have the chance to meet so many people who continue to enrich my life. All of you… and the love I feel for Italy — for her art, language and her people — are the reasons I do what I do!

Discussing the legend of Apollo and Ciparisso, a wise saying about trees and a little Italian grammar lesson. After a long break during which I published my third novel set in Italy and translating my second into Italian, I'm back to say ciao! and thank everyone for following the Studentessa Matta Podcast! For more information and transcripts in Italian and English Visithttps://www.studentessamatta.com/alberi-saggezza-leggenda-apollo-ciparisso-cypress/

What exactly is merletto al tombolo? Well, it is a very old art form that harks back to the age of Caterina de' Medici. It is an antique way of making lace by hand. Anna Maria Gherardi, who lives in Arezzo, has done this type of work since she was a girl and during her childhood, Debora remembers hearing the noise the spools of the threads made always in the background as her mom worked on her roundtable creating pieces of lace that she put together later to make things like napkins and tablecloths.

The hottest days of summer are called the dog days of summer. In Italian, the expression is La canicola estiva. In this Youtube video find out reason why! Hint: it has something to do with the brightest star in the summer sky - Sirius AND the ancient Romans!

For text and translation visit: www.studentessamatta.com

To find out more about my Italian language Immersion programs in Italy for 2019 visit: https://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-language-immersion-programs-italy/

Last week my friend Danielle Palermo from Sicilia came to visit me. Our last day together, we decided to roll up our sleeves and cook an Italian meal together. Not just an Italian dinner, however, as Daniele corrected me — a Sicilian meal! He decided to prepare for me Arancine and Sfingi for dessert.

Visit: www.StudentessaMatta.com for more details

Italian expressions that have to do with food and wine!

Visit the StudentessaMatta.com website for more information, transcriptions and text in Italiano and English. http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-food-idioms-detti-cibo-italiano/

For information about Melissa's programs to learn Italian in Italy visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-language-immersion-programs-italy/

Interview with Melissa Muldoon - Author of Waking Isabella with Inside Scoop 

Topics of conversation:

• Isabella de Medici
• Research for the book in Arezzo, Italy 
• Giostra del Saracino - Annual Jousting Festival held in Arezzo
• Suppression of Artists and Hitler's Obsession during WWII
• Melissa's Writing Process
• Her Award Winning Italian Language Blog and Immersion Trips to Italy
• Most Rewarding Experience as an Author

Mattiniero vs Nottambulo: What kind of person are you? Are you a morning person or an evening person? I just created subtitles in Italian! Yay! turn on the captioning button to see the Italian words! For more information, language learning tips and translations check out the Studentessa Matta Blog: www.studentessamatta.com

Chatting in Italian about Carnival, masks and costumes. You can find the post on the StudentessaMatta.com website with English translations.

Studentessa Matta Facebook page to join the conversation group: https://www.facebook.com/studentessamatta

Visit the Matta Blog to learn more about Italian Homestay Language Vacations: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-language-homestay-vacations/

To Purchase Melissa's novels about Italy: visit Amazon
Dreaming Sophia:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997634804?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0997634804&linkCode=xm2&tag=diariodiunstu-20

Waking Isabella: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997634820?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0997634804&linkCode=xm2&tag=diariodiunstu-20

Andare a Cavallo - taking a ride on the beach on a horse in Half Moon Bay in California. Learn new Italian vocabulary for things that have to do with horses and their gear. Follow along as I talk about my weekend adventure on horseback. Visit the Matta Blog to read the transcript in Italian and English. http://www.studentessamatta.com/andare-cavallo-riding-horse-beach-useful-horse-lingo/

Join me in Arezzo in September 2018 for Italian Language Immersion and participate in the Medieval Jousting Festival! To sign up and reserve a spot visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-immersion-tuscany-italy-arezzo/

Colorful Italian idioms that have to do with animals. Italian expressions to help make your conversation more lively and make you sound more like an Italian native. For the written transcript visit the StudentessaMatta.com blog. http://www.studentessamatta.com/moglie-buoi-dei-paesi-tuoi-italian-idioms-modi-di-dire/

Want to immerse in Italian language and culture, join me in September in Arezzo for a small group language program. Details on the Studentessa Matta blog: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-immersion-tuscany-italy-arezzo/

Come along with me as I recap my recent stay in Arezzo. Here are the highlights from the language program which I co-lead with Paola Testi of Cultura Italiana language school for foreigners. Highlights include: the Giostra that occurs the first weekend in September, a trip to Cortona and Anghiari and the Porchetta Sagra in San Savino.

To sign up for the next 2018 Arezzo Language Program visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-immersion-tuscany-italy-arezzo

For transcript & translation of this video visit the Matta Blog: http://www.studentessamatta.com/arezzo-italian-language-program-learn-italian-cultura-italiana-melissa-muldoon/

Buon Anno 2018! Ways to say Happy New Year in Italian and chatting about the past year and what is happening my Matta world coming in 2018. Trips, travels, Italians studies, Novels about Italy, and an Italian New Year poem by Gianni Rodari. Translations on the Matta blog at http://www.studentessamatta.com/benvenuto-2018-italian-new-year-greetings/

Piacere means is used to express that something is in Italian in the Italian language or rather something is pleasing to someone. In this podcast you will learn how to conjugate in present and past tense and use the word properly in sentence. Text, Examples and Exercises are on www.StudentessaMatta.com Blog site (http://www.studentessamatta.com/piace...) If you have questions about the verb piacere leave your comments on the Studentessa Matta site

Recently I published a novel about Italy called “Dreaming Sophia.” In this podcast I share with the Tutti Matti Italian listeners an interview I conducted with Sheri Hoyt for “Inside Book Scoop Live”. In this book chat you will find out more about the book, my background, and the reasons for writing the novel. Buon ascolto!

For more information about the book visit:

www.DreamingSophiaBook.com

Available for iBook 

Available on Amazon: Print & Kindle

Both the Italian words "Sentire" and "Ascoltare" mean to perceive something. But they vary in several ways. For transcript & translations see http://www.studentessamatta.com/sentire-ascoltare-learning-meanings-differences : Subscribe to the Studentessa Matta Blog to receive posts, Newsletters & EXCLUSIVE language tips via email.

To see the Youtube Video of this podcast click here: https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=Rj3I0Iw_feE

Discussion about two Italian synonyms Lasciare and Mollare. Both mean to let go. Idiomatic expressions and meanings when combined with other words. Short story about two frogs to help remember these two words.

To read transcript visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/lasciare-mollare-significati-storia-rane-non-mollare-mai/

For more tips, tricks and helpful advice for learning Italian visit the Studentessa Matta blog. www.studentessamatta.com

To view the Youtube video of this podcast visit the Studentessa Matta Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/c/StudentessaMatta_MelissaMuldoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8NvZD4AE-E

Send comments to Melissa@StudentessaMatta.com

Ci sentiamo! Buoni studi!

Arezzo Antique Fair Fiera Antiquaria takes place Piazza Grande every first weekend of month. It is one of the oldest largest fairs in Italy over 400 vendors. To view transcripts of podcast in Italian and English go to http://www.studentessamatta.com/arezzo-antique-fair-fiera-antiquaria-arezzo

Buon Natale e Benvenuti all'antico dibattito che spesso divide le famiglie italiane. Di che cosa sto parlando? Il dibattito tra servire Panettone o Pandoro a Natale.

Happy Holidays! Welcome to the age-old debate that often splits Italian families. What am I talking about? The debate between serving Panettone or Pandoro during the holidays of course!

For a transcription of this podcast visit http://www.studentessamatta.com/christmas-cake-battles-panettone-versus-pandoro/

Buone feste!

Sometimes a trip to Italy is like stepping into the past. For me, that is part of the charm of Italy. Recently I had the impression of passing through a portal back to medieval times. It happened during my stay in Arezzo last September when I witnessed the Giostra del Saracino - The Joust of the of the Saracens. Practice your Italian language skills by listening to this podcast! You can find a transcript and translations on www.studentessamatta.com 

Today we are going to the Arezzo’s Saturday market. There you can buy lots of things. The best would be the fresh food that you can buy there. There are so many things…peppers, squash blossoms, mushrooms, fruit and various kinds of meat and cheeses…but especially the porchetta. Come with us!

Today I am here to tell you about a fantastic new mobile app called “FlashAcademy”. It is the idea of the company behind FlashSticks – the company that created the app to learn a foreign language using the Post-it Notes. Now the app has a new interface and new images. Now it focuses on the progress of the student towards graduation from Flash Academy. Each lesson moves the student forward! The learning curve is fast paced with new interactive lessons.

My first novel “Dreaming Sophia” is here! I am thrilled and happy to share Sophia’s journey with my readers. The book is now available in print and e-pub versions for Kindle and iBook. You can find the book on Amazon and through many other distributors as well. The e-pub version of the book has links to the “Dreaming Sophia” website and Pinterest site, so that you can experience the book visually – see the art and images and videos – referred to in the book, as well as listen to the music.

To win a copy of the book visit the Studentessa Matta website: http://www.studentessamatta.com/dreaming-sophia-book-give-away

The book is available on Amazon and on itunes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997634804?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0997634804&linkCode=xm2&tag=diariodiunstu-20

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1151283653

visit the Dreaming Sophia website: www.DreamingSophiaBook.com

In this Podcast I am talking about Italian words for joking and playing around...Scioglilingua, Giochi di Parole, Barzellette, Scherzi, Idiomi...Podcast can also be viewed on YouTube to see the visuals that accompany the text.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrRccsRyt2g

Visit the Matta Blog for text in English and Italian

For transcripts for this Video follow this link: http://wp.me/p22bKE-3vi

Happy Easter! They say in Italian…Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want! Today I am going to talk a little about Easter and some of the sweets that Italians eat at this time of year. I’m going to especially talk about Baci chocolates

Questo mese festeggiamo la giornata internazionale della donna…anche semplicemente detta "festa della donna". Ricorre l’otto marzo di ogni anno per ricordare sia le conquiste sociali, politiche ed economiche delle donne, sia le discriminazioni e la violenza che le donne ancora oggi subiscono in tutto il mondo.

This month we celebrate International Women’s Day - or simply the la festa della donna. It falls on the 8th of March each year and commemorates both the social achievements, political and economic conditions of women, as well as the brings in evidence the discrimination and violence which women are subjected to still in all parts of the world.

Hi guys! I’m Melissa la studentessa Matta! Welcome back to my channel! Are you ready to take a little stroll into history with me…and Dante and Beatrice?

Visit Matta Website for Translations: English & Italian http://www.studentessamatta.com 

For translations for this Video click this link: http://wp.me/p22bKE-3t0

To learn more about Matta Italian Language Workshops in Italy http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-trips/

Visit the Matta Facebook page for learning tips and language fun: http://www.studentessamatta.com/learning-tips/

Find me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentessamatta

Today I want to tell you about a painting…Botticelli's Birth of Venus - La nascita di Venere. Visit Matta Website for Translations: English & Italian https://www.youtube.com/c/StudentessaMatta_MelissaMuldoon

To learn more about Matta Italian Language Workshops http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-trips/

Visit the Matta Facebook page for learning tips and language fun: http://www.studentessamatta.com/about/

In this podcast I will be speaking with my friend Daniela Mancini!  Daniela is an Italian teacher at Scud’It in Rome. I had the immense pleasure of studying with Daniela last July during my language and painting program. Daniela is a lively and entertaining teacher. She has also written a book about the Subjunctive tense: Congiuntivo. Here she is to talk more about herself, her home town of Frascati, her hopes and dreams and what it is like to teach at Scud’It in Rome. See program notes in Italian and English on the Studentessa Matta Blog. www.studentessamatta.com

Today I’m back with a new podcast in which I will be talking about a wonderful Italian city - Siena! Today my guest will be Sarah Mastroianni, a young woman who was raised in Toronto in Canada - the daughter of an Italian father and a Canadian mother. Several years ago, after traveling in Italy, she fell in love with Italy and in particular, the city of Siena. Now she considers Siena her adopted town. In this podcast you will learn more about Siena and Sarah will also talk about her work, about her experiences with the language, her love for Italy and especially her passion for Siena and her reasons for moving there!

In today’s “Tutti per l’italiano” podcast we will be talking about Homestay Italian Language Vacations that are offered through the Matta Blog. Homestay Language vacations are a wonderful opportunity for you to travel in Italy and stay with an Italian teacher and their family. Nothing is more effective for learning a foreign language than to live in close contact with a tutor who is specialized in teaching their native language in the country where this language is spoken! You will become an integral part of the family, enjoying meals and domestic life, living like a true Italian. Spending an entire day in a family context, combining a few hours of “traditional” teaching to the many stimuli that daily life offers, is the most natural and less stressful way to make progress in learning a language.

In this episode we are going to be talking about an on-line learning site called italki. It is an educational site that helps foreign language learners connect with on-line teachers and chat buddies. In today’s podcast I will talk a little about my personal experiences with the italki site and you will also hear from three Italian teachers all of whom I have met through the site. They are Francesca Mazza from Lucca, Maria Fusco from Napoli and Olivia Cini originally from Tuscany, but who is currently living in Malta.

Buon giorno cari ascoltatori. Benvenuti! Welcome! Today we are talking about art & plein air painting and we will be hearing from Kelly Medford, an American artist who lives in Rome. Kelly is a wonderful artist and she teaches seminars on how to paint from nature using oils and watercolors. She also teaches us a new way of seeing and that art is personal experience that each one of us can develop and enjoy. I will also be discussing the upcoming "Matta" Language and Art Program that Kelly and I are planning together the first week of July 5-14th 2015.For more details on our Rome trip visit the Matta Blog. You can also find the text for “Tutti matti per l’italiano” in Italian and translated into English on the Studentessamatta site: www.studentessamatta.com. 

Welcome to the second part of the 2-part podcast “C’è chi viene e c’è chi va”. Last week I began to speak about the differences between living in Milan and living in San Francisco. In the first part of the podcast we heard from Gloria an Italian from the Milan area who now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this second part of the podcast, we will continue to discuss the differences between San Francisco and Milan. In this episode we will hear from Christina an American from the Bay Area that has lived and worked in Italy. Both women, an American and an Italian, were transplanted into new culture in new and different countries than that which they were raised. They share similar qualities, of being independent and adventuresome, but obviously they have different and unique perspectives. They represent the flip side of the coin of living abroad as a foreigner.

In this podcast we will be discussing the differences between Milan and San Francisco in a podcast that I’m calling C’è chi viene e c’è chi va - “Those who come and those who go" - the differences between Milan and San Francisco. We will hear form two women who are similar but different. Gloria is an Italian from Milan who now lives in San Francisco. Christina is an American from San Jose, a city very close to San Francisco, who used to live in Milan. Through their experiences and insights, we will explore the flip side of Italian and American life.

In today’s episode we are talking about traveling to a foreign country for the first time and what it is like to live there for an extended period of time. We will be hearing from two young Italian girls - Antonella from Napoli in Campania and Marta from Lecce in Puglia. This past year both young Italian adventurers have travelled to the U.S and have lived in the states for several months. They will talk about their experiences, the things they discovered, the myths they dispelled, the things they liked and the things they missed about Italy.They also tell us about their future plans, and what they now want to do with their lives after having lived abroad in the United States.

‘Tis the season to be merry and celebrate with friends the Christmas holidays and that’s just what we are doing! The “Tutti Matta per l’Italiano” holiday podcast is a collection of recordings made by 7 Italian friends from different parts of Italy in which they recall some of their favorite holiday memories. You will hear messages from Angelo in Tuscany, Lucrezia from Trieste, Claudio from Napoli, Monica from Venezia, Daniele from Rome, Laura from Napoli and last but not least, Pixie Dust from Roma. Along with my friends I wish you much joy, peace and happiness. Buon Natale! Buona Befana! May all your Christmases be white and full of Italian! 

In today’s podcast I will be talking about La Fortezza delle Verrucole - a castle that was built in the middle ages, in the high Garfagnana Valley, near to Lucca in Tuscany. This territory was divided and contested by two feudal lordships, the counts of Bacciano and the more powerful Gherardinghi who owned il castello delle Verrucole. The castle is currently being rennovated by a group of dedicated historians. I will talk about our visit and give you a little background about the fortress. Later in the podcast you will get the chance to listen to a short recording I made of native Italian speaker, Giulia Paltrinieri, a docent at the castel, who explains in more detail medieval customs and aspects of the castle and some of the attributes its medieval artifacts. She speaks both in Italian and provides an English translation of what she says. Buon Ascolto! 

Ciao a tutti gli ascoltatori! Now that I have ventured into the realm of podcasting, I had this really cool idea: Wouldn’t it be great to have my own “Matta” theme song or "una colonna sonora" for the “Tutti Matti per l’Italiano” podcast! In this podcast I speak in Italian and describe the process of how I found a musician and created a song that would musically refect the objectives and the upbeat nature of the Studentessa Matta blog. I aslo premier my new theme song "Vivi, Sorridi, Divertiti!"

In this podcast I present my small friend Davide. Davide has just turned eleven & this fall will begin middle school in Bardolino, on the banks of Lago di Garda. He is just a little guy, but has a lot of creativity and a big imagination! Recently I enjoyed a day trip with Davide and his parents to Gardone, to visit Villa Vittoriale, the home of the famous Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. In this episode I will be talking about the outing and I will tell you a little bit about Gabriele D’Annunzio and explain why he and his villa are so important. You will also have the chance to hear for yourselves how creative my little friend Davide is, because when he returned home from our outing he was inspired to build something really impressive with his Legos. In a message he recorded he will explain to us more about his creation.

I have just returned from a fantastic trip in Italy and just can’t seem to stop talking or writing about it. In this episode of Tutti Matti per l’Italiano I will be giving a brief overview of where I went in Italy and then I will be introducing you to three great friends that I had the good fortune of meeting during my long weekend in Rome. They are Keith Preble of Parola del Giorno and author of a new book “Il vero Italiano; your guide to speaking real Italian, Lucrezia Oddone of “Learn Italian with Lucrezia You Tube videos, and Claire who writes the blog: Runaway Day Dreamer. In this podcast I’m going to be speaking entirely in Italiano! So buckle your seat belts and get ready for a full immersion podcast!

Friend, kindred spirit and fellow Italian language lover, Dianne Hales...has done it again! She has written a wonderful new book called “Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered”. In this podcast I review Dianne’s new book and Dianne Hales herself makes a guest appearance and gives us more insight into her new project. Listen to the podcast and then read the book to learn more about “la vera donna” Lisa Gherardini, the real Florentine woman, who posed for one of the most charismatic and innovative minds of the Renaissance - Leonardo da Vinci.

In today’s podcast we are talking about "la leggenda del ponte del diavolo" (the legend of The Devil’s Bridge)…or how to trick the devil and make him madder than Hell! My special guest in this episode is Daniela Bonaccorsi, one of the head teachers at Lucca Italian School. Recently I recorded Daniela as she told the story about the famous “Devil’s bridge” that crosses the River Serchio just north of the city of Lucca. This is a wonderful opportunity to listen to Daniela’s Tuscan accent and hear her version of this famous story.

In this podcast I will be talking about AFS Cultural Exchange Program. Here in America we are at the end of the American school term and summer vacation has begun. Normally this is a thing to celebrate...but for some it is a sad moment too as this year’s 2014/2015 AFS class returns to their home countries. In the podcast you will hear from two Italian girls who participated on the AFS program in the U.S Both girls will make a presentation and you will have the opportunity to hear their different voices and accents - one from the south of Italy and one from the north. You will also learn more about the AFS program and how you too can host an exchange student!

This Podcast features the leggenda di Lucida Mansi / The legend of Lucida Mansi. As the story goes...one day Lucida, a nobel woman who lived in Lucca Italy in the 1600’s, woke up to find a small wrinkle on her face and became quite desperate at the thought of aging and losing her beauty. At that moment the devil appeared who promised her that she could remain youthful and beautiful for 30 years in exchange for her soul. Listen to hear the rest of the story....and more about the wonderful walls of Lucca. Featured guest Italian speaker, Susanna of Lucca Italian School

This is the first episode of the podcast "Tutti matti per l'Italiano!". The podcast is hosted by Melissa Muldoon - la studentessa matta - in English & Italian as she presents clips of native Italian speakers. In this first episode called "Postcards from Lucca" you will enjoy "uno shakerato" while listening to Silvia make an introduction and later you will take a short walking tour of Lucca with Antonella. Finally you will meet Maura in Lucca's anfiteatro as he sings a song.

In this podcast Cher & Melissa talk about traveling in Italy. They provide tips for packing & things to bring, useful expressions, how to make a good impression and things you absolutely must eat when you are in Italy. We will also discuss how to maximize practicing your Italian language skills when you are traveling up and down the boot.

How Melissa Muldoon went matta for Italian & what she built from her craziness

We are discussing Natale and Christmas in Italy and holiday traditions. We talk about the Italian Christmas markets and how Christmas is celebrated in Garda. Featuring 2 Italian guest speakers.

In this podcast we are exploring the subjects of love, romanticism and lovers and how the Italians celebrate the holiday. Naturally we will talk about Italian vocabulary that has to do with Valentine’s day. We will share some some romantic films that we like and some songs. Featuring 2 Italian guest speakers.

We will be discuss the origins of Carnevale and how Italians prepare for and celebrate this famous holiday. We will also be taking about the Venetian mask and the tradition of disguising oneself, as well and the floats and fun events that are happening in Venice during this time. We will also share some recipe for a traditional Carnevale sweet – le chiacchere.

Learn about the festivals that happen during the month of May in Italy, from La Gara delle Rane (the race of the frogs) to Calendimaggio.

From exploding carts, blessing eggs, renting cars in Sinalunga, Renzi as the Fonz, men in tights, to Easter bells and Botticelli…we are covering a lot of ground in this new podcast! If you haven’t already guessed we are talking about Easter and spring in Tuscany. Featuring 2 Italian guest speakers.