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Naples

Naples (Napoli) is a city in the Naples province and Campania region of Italy. During Tchaikovsky's lifetime it was part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Regno delle Due Sicilie), before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Tchaikovsky visited Naples on the following occasions:

• 20 April/2 May–25 April/7 May 1874 — during a spring vacation in Italy. Unfortunately his enjoyment of his surroundings was spoiled by homesickness. "I reached such a state that every day I spilled tears of homesickness for my native land in general, and in particular for everyone dear to me" [1].
• 28 February/12 March–8/20 March 1881 — staying at the Hôtel des étrangers.
• 10/22 February–11/23 February 1882 — travelling with his brother Modest and Nikolai Konradi, the composer initially stayed at the Grand Hôtel in Naples, before finding less expensive accommodation in nearby Pozzuoli.
• 20 February/4 March–13/25 March 1882 — after leaving Pozzuoli, the composer returned to the Hôtel Métropol in Naples. He visited the Teatro di San Carlo on several occasions, and toured widely around the region with his companions. "Naples does provide any possibility for concentration, with its noise, its beauty, and with its vivid colours, it distracts one's mind from work" [2] . Nevertheless, he was able to complete the All-Night Vigil in Naples by 7/19 March.

References:

1. Letter 351 to Modest Tchaikovsky, 27 April/9 May 1874 [back]
2. Letter 1981 to Nadezhda von Meck, 27 February/11 March to 28 February/12 March 1882 [back]