WHAT TO DO IN SIENA: Classical Music December 7, 2012

The musicians of the Artemis String Quartet

Back in Siena with a program of Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Schubert, the Artemis Quartet is no newcomer to the city of the Palio. In 2004 the Berlin based string quartet won the international price of the Chigiana Music Academy (albeit in a different formation).

Since its successful debut at the Berlin Philharmony in 1999, the Artemis quartet has come a long way. Invited to the world's most prestigious concert venues, the four musicians also regularly record for Virgin Classics.

The concert will take place in the Academy's own concert hall in the beautiful Renaissance palazzo Chigi Saracini. Another reason to run for a ticket.

Friday, 7th of December 2012 - Palazzo Chigi Saracini, 9pm

Artemis Quartet

Vineta Sareika, violin; Gregor Sigl, violin; Friedmann Weigle, viola; Eckart Runge, violoncello

Mendelssohn - Quartet in re magg. op. 44 n. 1

Beethoven - Grande Fuga in si bem. magg. op. 133

Schubert - Quartet in sol magg. D. 887 op. 161

Tickets can be bought at the box office of Palazzo Chigi Saraceni (via Città 89), or on the day of the concert from 8 pm directly at Palazzo Chigi Saracini. Prices from 8€ (students, under 26 and over 65 yrs) and from 18€ to 25€ (first category).

SIENA AND THE MONTE DEI PASCHI CRISIS

The world's oldest banking institute (founded in 1472) has made it into the media big time since 2012. But not because of its longevity. Wondering what the financial nigh tmare is all about? I'm still trying to figure it out - just as everybody else who's living in Southern Tuscany. The crisis of the Monte dei Paschi bank isn't just about MPS employers losing their jobs and museums their funding (which on its own is already bad enough). But it's also about research, universities and even kindergartens. Basically every age group in and around Siena will be affected in some way or another by the drying up of the streams of money that supported most social and cultural aspects of Southern Tuscany. Right, I would look worried too. Palazzo Spannocchi, part of the MPS HQ in piazza Salimbeni Want to know more? The art newspaper has published a well researched article in April, which explains some of the artier effects of the bank's crisis.

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BEST BIKE RENTAL IN SIENA

Villa Catignano: one of the many beautiful places an e-bike can get you to from Siena A few years ago, I interviewed an American writer , who during her month-long stay in Siena whizzed through the city on a bicycle. This was an unusual sight - vespas are the two-wheelers of choice in Siena's hilly town center, not bikes like in mostly flat Florence. But the invention of e-bikes is about to change this. The city of Siena has installed an electric bike sharing program which is functioning well. However, it's mostly aimed at locals and residents, as its set-up is a little complicated for visitors who only stay a couple of days in town. Hence, for tourists, the best bike rental options in Siena are with the privately owned shops which supply bycicles of every size and type for a day or two or an entire week. Giulia from Julskitchen.com cycling through the hills of Siena Siena Bike Shop rents out racing bycicles, hybrid and e-bikes and is a great optio...

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DRIVING IN ITALY AND ROAD FINES IN SIENA

Thought if the Italians do it, you can do it too? These were the good old times. Speeding, bad parking and drink-driving are no longer part of the Italian way of life. Okay, the rules of the road still aren't as strictly followed as in Northern Europe, but things have definitely changed during the past decade. With driving being more strict now, it's only right that paying your fine should become easier too. Siena and many other of Italy's tourist destinations have finally installed online payment. Click through to the website of Siena's town council to get done with it right away.

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Mapping SIENA

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