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!