Writer, traveler, and travel writer Angela K. Nickerson has cause for celebration as her book, A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome hits shelves. A fabulous antidote to the often staid and sometimes stale tour guides, Angela takes you on a trip of the Eternal City through the eyes of one of its most eternal artists. And since it’s tax day, what better time to think of the artists? The rest is all Angela…

“Rome plays her own soundtrack. Beneath the buzz of Vespas and the squawk of horns, schmaltzy love songs spill from trattorias. Chic boutiques pump out pop music. The Italian language is an opera, and many a taxi driver has regaled me with an aria. And when I am longing for Italy, I queue up a particular mix that takes me back to my favorite spots. I’ve put together a playlist for A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome tying pieces of music with locations important to Michelangelo – as well as a few others that I just love. Ciao!

  • Fanfare for the Common Man–Aaron Copland
    One of Michelangelo’s biographers said that in Michelangelo God sent “to earth a spirit who, working alone, was able to demonstrate in every art and every profession the meaning of perfection.” But he was also a man who wore dog-skin boots, rarely bathed, lived simply, and who devoted himself to God, art, and friendship.
  • Now We Are Free–Gladiator (Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard)
    Historians may argue that Gladiator’s depiction of ancient Rome is less than accurate, but “Now We are Free” captures the awesome beauty of the Colosseum.
  • Theme from Moses–Ennio Morricone
    Ennio Morricone, an Italian film composer, has written gorgeous movie music for decades. This piece evokes the pathos of Moses, a biblical figure whose story is one of faith, triumph, and turmoil. Michelangelo carved his Moses     for Pope Julius II’s tomb (at San Pietro in Vincoli). Legend has it that as he worked on Moses one day Michelangelo struck the figure’s knee and implored, “Speak, damn you!” Indeed, the huge piece of marble seems poised to rise.
  • The Pines of the Appian Way–The Pines of Rome (Ottorino Respighi)
    It may have been written about the Appian Way, but Bernini’s colonnade at Piazza San Pietro evokes the pine trees of Rome, and Respigi’s piece captures the awesome power of the Vatican City. Walking up Via della Conciliazione with Saint Peter’s dome towering ahead… and then entering the arms of Bernini’s colonnade with splashing fountains and the saints overhead … but Michelangelo’s dome soars over the basilica and the rest – a statement of beauty and power.
  • Ave Maria–Schubert
    Michelangelo’s mother died when he was a young boy. I can’t help but think that he imagined his own mother when carving his most famous image of Mary,     the Rome Pieta in St. Peter’s Basilica.
  • Missa Papae Marcelli: I. Kyrie–Palestrina
    This particular mass was written at the end of Michelangelo’s life to be performed in the Sistine Chapel where Palestrina was a court musician. The delicacy of Palestrina’s music contrasts sharply with the figures Michelangelo painted on the ceiling which are full of movement and athleticism.
  • Dies Irae–Verdi’s Requiem
    As an older man Michelangelo was called back to the Sistine Chapel to do a fresco of the Last Judgment. His images of salvation and damnation had two influences: Dante’s Inferno and the Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) text. Verdi’s setting of the Dies Irae evokes Judgment Day and both the terror of the damned as well as the mercy found for the saved – just as Michelangelo depicts.
  • Niobe’s Theme–Rome (Jeff Beal)
    I am a big fan of the HBO Series Rome, and I think the music is particularly interesting. While we don’t know what ancient Roman music sounded like, we do know that it was an important part of Roman life. “Niobe’s Theme” evokes the Pantheon – an ancient architectural wonder of symmetry and space which inspired Michelangelo’s dome over St. Peter’s.
  • Spanish Steps / Rome In May–Ottmar Liebert
    Just a short walk from the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps are a gathering place for young travelers in Rome. But stroll past them late at night, and the throngs are replaced by a few lovers and window shoppers enjoying the deserted, tony neighborhood. Named for their proximity to the Spanish Embassy, the Spanish Steps are a lovely evening destination
  • Vogliatemi Bene (Love Duet)–Madama Butterfly (Puccini)
    All roads lead to Rome, and all roads in ancient Rome led to the Campidoglio. Michelangelo redesigned the site as it is today: a beautiful piazza with the Capitoline Museums and Rome’s City Hall. On a lovely day the Campidoglio is also filled with brides and grooms making their way to City Hall – one of only two places in the city where civic weddings take place. Puccini’s gorgeous duet is one of my favorites – full of love and romance – and it is sung at the wedding of Butterfly and her intended.
  • On an Evening in Roma (Sott’er Cielo De Roma)–Dean Martin
    The piazza is central to Italian life – a gathering place for a game of soccer, a pizza in a café, or a little gossip amongst neighbors. And in the evening many Roman piazzas are filled with lovers strolling hand in hand, canoodling and cuddling. Piazza Navona with its beautiful fountains is a particularly fun place for Roman romance.
  • Nessun Dorma–Turandot (Puccini):
    It is beautiful, Italian, and truly passionate, much like Michelangelo himself.”


Photo courtesy AN.