Going with my binaural mics on the 21st November 2010 to the Basilica of St. Mary of Health (in italian “Basilica di Santa Maria della Saluteâ€) at Punta della Dogana (Venice-Italy), during the typical feast-day. Thousands of people visit the main altar of the church to give thanks to the Virgin Mary and ask to keep them in good health. The church was built in 1631 after the Senate decided to honor the Virgin Mary of Health for delivering Venice from a plague.
This is a composition of raw recordings take with binaural microphones. From the minute 0 to 5:50 I’m walking over the “Ponte votivoâ€, a temporary bridge set up on barges over the Grand Canal, and then through narrow streets until to reach the church and enter in the middle of the hall. From 5:50 to 8:50 I’m walking slowly through the crowd towards the main altar and then behind, to sit on the “coro†stalls where people stop, pray and pass in front a Virgin Mary icon. From the minute 08:50, you can hear a series of recordings of prayers and organ tunes.
Use headphones for best result. Photo by Donato Gagliano.