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Watch us on i-Italy | TV NYC LIFE - Channel 25 Every Sunday 1:00PM in the NYC metropolitan area on all cable operators and on the air. Web: go to www.i-ItalyTV.com Mobile: download our app and connect to your TV Grandparents & Grandchildren Trump’s America and Europe John P. & John D. Calvelli Interview with Sergio Romano

Also in this issue Discussing New Italian Movies: Gianfranco Rosi, Adil Azzab, and Paolo Sorrentino ● Life Through the Lens of Lisetta Carmi’s Camera ● Nonno Photo by Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera Metropolitan / Howard Ken by Photo Rana’s Story ● Meet Pasquale Scracella Perino: Composer and Chef ● The Hidden Heart of the Italian Artisanal Industry ● Anna Lawton Interviews Domenico Starnone ● Fred Gardaphe on Joe Sciorra’s “Built With Faith” ● And much more...

Watch Video The Anti-Diva Diva An exclusive interview at the Metropolitan Opera with Marianna Pizzolato the Sicilian mezzo-soprano cast as Isabella in Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri

Events Dining Out & In Ideas Travel Italy in New York: Best Restaurants in Town Living Italian in New Wonders of North Culture, Art, and this Winter ● Mozzarella York: Fashion, Design, Eastern Italy: Lake Special Events & Vino ● Al Vicoletto Books & Music Garda 2017: i-Italy Goes National New Style. More News. More Multimedia. Everywhere.

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Contents staff&info

Free Issue

All Things Italian in New York Year 4, Issue 9-10 Winter 2016-2017 ➜ $ 4.50 28

Watch us on i-Italy | TV Grandparents and Grandchildren NYC LIFE - Channel 25 Every Sunday 1:00PM in the NYC metropolitan area on all cable operators and on the air. Web: go to www.i-ItalyTV.com Mobile: download our app and connect to your TV Grandparents & Grandchildren Trump’s America and Europe John P. & John D. Calvelli Interview with Sergio Romano Dining Out Focus in Italian America. Episode 3. Also in this issue The Calvellis’ Italian Saga Discussing New Italian Movies: Gianfranco Rosi, Adil Azzab, and Paolo Sorrentino ● Life Through the Lens of Lisetta Carmi’s Camera ● Nonno Photo by Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera Metropolitan / Howard Ken by Photo Rana’s Story ● Meet Pasquale Scracella Perino: Composer from Calabria to the Bronx and Chef ● The Hidden Heart Eating Italian in the of the Italian Artisanal Industry ● Anna Lawton Interviews Domenico Starnone ● Fred Gardaphe on Joe Sciorra’s “Built With Faith” ● ■ And much more... by John P. and John D. Calvelli Big Apple

Watch Video ➜07 The Anti-Diva Diva An exclusive interview at the Metropolitan Opera with Marianna Pizzolato the Sicilian mezzo-soprano cast as Isabella in Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri Editorial

Events Dining Out & In Ideas Travel Italy in New York: Best Restaurants in Town Living Italian in New Wonders of North Culture, Art, and this Winter ● Mozzarella York: Fashion, Design, Eastern Italy: Lake ■ Special Events & Vino ● Al Vicoletto Books & Music Garda by Letizia Airos ➜46 “Mozzarella & Vino” ➜09 A Cheese-Centric i~Italy NY Marianna Pizzolato at the MET Trattoria www.i-ItalyNY.com The Anti-Diva Diva Sings ■ by Kayla Pantano And Boy, What a Voice! A magazine about all things Italian ■ by Letizia Airos ➜48-50 in Dining Out Special Year 4 - Issue 9-10 ➜14 Best Italian Restaurants Interview with Sergio Romano Winter 2016-2017 ➜33 this Winter Trump Seen From Europe: The Italian Welfare League ■ by Tommaso Cartia Editor in Chief Populism, Panic and I Nostri Bambini Letizia Airos Opportunity ■ by L. A. ➜51 [email protected] ■ by Letizia Airos Italian Dining Gems: “Al Vicoletto” Project Manager ➜35 A Cozy, Charming Italian Ottorino Cappelli ALMA: Lawyers’ Network Corner Full of Surprises [email protected] ■ by Fred DeSiena ■ by Tommaso Cartia

Staff & Contributors Tommaso Cartia, Natasha Lardera, Dining In Mila Tenaglia (editorial coordination); Events Michele Scicolone and Charles Scicolone (food & wine editors); Bringing Italy to your family table Rosanna Di Michele (chef); Camilla Everything Italian in NYC Sentinelli (fashion editor); Judith Harris, ➜53 Maria Rita Latto, Virginia di Falco (Italy ➜37 Nonno Rana’s Story correspondents); Stefano Albertini, Best of Italian Culture in 2017 Family, Intuitions and Giuseppe Basso, Dino Borri, Enzo Capua, ■ by Otylia Coppola Little Secrets Fred Gardaphe, Jerry Krase, Gennaro ➜15 ■ by Letizia Airos Matino, Lucia Pasqualini, Fred Plotkin, Il Gattopardo and the ➜ Stanislao Pugliese, Francine Segan 40 Electoral College La Serenissima: Music and (columnists & contributors); Matteo ➜55 ■ Banfo, Ennio Serafini (TV & multimedia by Ottorino Cappelli Arts from the Venetian A Sip of Ancient Rome team); Alex Catti, Samantha Janazzo, Republic ■ by Francine Segan Joelle Grosso, Francesca Maltauro, ➜19 ■ by Kayla Pantano Kayla Pantano (interns); Will Schutt Italo-Trumpism in NYC ➜56 (translator); Robert Oppedisano ■ by Jerry Krase ➜41 Meet Roberto Scarcella Perino: (editorial supervision); Alberto Guido Cagnacci, A Hidden A Reinassance Man Sepe (web & mobile); Darrell Fusaro ➜ Gem at the Frick ■ by Letizia Airos ; Lilith Mazzocchi ; 21 (cartoonist) (layout) Darrell’s Corner ■ by Joelle Grossoi Andrée Brick (design) ■ by Darrell Fusaro ➜58 For advertising contact: ➜ Digging into Polenta Italian Media Corporation 42 ■ [email protected] ➜22 Italian Film at MoMa by Dino Borri A Poetry of Migration ■ by O.C. Main Offices ■ New York by Tommaso Cartia ➜59 140 Cabrini Blvd., Suite 108 ➜ How to Prepare New York, NY, 10033 43-45 Tel. (917) 521-2035 ➜24 Calendar of Italian Events Polenta with Mushroom ■ Roma The Young Pope and a Few by Rosanna Di Michele Via Montebello 37 Questions About God 80135 Roma Tel. (366) 747-8348 ■ by Gennaro Matino ➜60 A favorite dish... ➜26 Sicilian Lentil Soup Life Through the Lens of ■ by Michele Scicolone Copies printed this ... Paired with the right wine month: 50,000 Lisetta Carmi’s Camera’ ■ by Massimiliano Morabito and Cerasuolo di Vittoria Natasha Lardera ■ by Charles Scicolone ➜ www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 5 i-Italy|NY ➜ Contents

Ideas Ideas Tourism

Style: Design, Fashion & More Bookshelf: Italian Reads & Listens Are you going to Italy soon?

➜71 ➜79 Interview with Domenico Starnone Discovering North Eastern Italy My American Journey Lake Garda. Nature, Food, ■ by Anna Lawton History, and Culture ➜73 ■ by Goffredo Palmerini Joseph Sciorra’s Builth With Faith ➜81 Italian-American Material What To Eat and Drink Culture in New York City When You are There ➜62 ➜66 ■ by Fred Gardaphe ■ by Michele Scicolone and The Changing World of Illustration Fashion: This Italian Season Charles Scicolone The Creativity of the Pen Winter Cravings ➜76-77 ■ by Mila Tenaglia ■ by Camilla Santinelli Suggested Readings ➜64 ➜68 ➜77 The Shades of Italian The Italian Artisanal Industry Italian Jazz Illustration Heart Beyond Spreadsheets Jazz and Politics ■ by Joelle Grosso ■ by Salvatore P. Ambrosino ■ by Enzo Capua

Where To Find Us in New York

Government and Educational Institutions: Consulate General of Italy (690, Park Ave) ● Italian Cultural Institu- te (686 Park Ave) ● Italian Trade Commission (33 E 67th St) ● Italian Government Tourist Board (686 Park Ave) ● Scuola d’Italia G. Marconi (12 E 96th St) ● John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, CUNY (25 W 43rd St) ● Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimò, NYU (24 W 12th St) ● Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America, (161 Amsterdam Ave.) ● Inserra Chair, Montclair State University (1 Normal Ave Montclair, NJ) ● Center for Italian Studies, Stony Brook University (100 Nicolls Rd, Stony Brook) ● Italian American Committee on Education (18 E 41st St) ● Collina Italiana (1556 3rd Ave) ● CIMA - Center for Italian Modern Art (421 Bro- ome St) ● Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center (610 E 186th St., Bronx) ● Italian Cultural Center (One Generoso Pope Pl, Tuckahoe) ● Italian Cultural Foundation, Casa Belvedere ( 79 Howard Ave, Staten Island) ● Bookstores, Showrooms & Galleries: Rizzoli Bookstore (1133 ) ● Alessi (130 Greene St) ● Poltrona Frau (141 Wooster St) ● Cappellini (152 Wooster St) ● Casa del Bianco (866 Lexington Ave) ● Cassina (151 Wooster St) ● Guzzini (60 Madison Ave) ● Poltrona Frau (141 Wooster St) ● Scavolini (429 W Broadway) ● Boffi Soho (31 ½ Greene St) ● Galleria Ca’ D’Oro (9, 529 W 20th St) ● Ierimonti Gallery (24 W 57th St, s. 501-503) ● Gourmet Stores: Eataly New York (200 5th Ave) ● Di Palo (200 Grand St) ● Citarella (2135 Broadway; 1313 Third Ave; 424 Avenue of the Americas) ● Agata & Valentina (1505 1st Ave; 64 University Pl.) ● A.L.C. Italian Grocery (8613 3rd Ave, Brooklyn) ● Mike’s Deli, Arthur Avenue Market (2344 Arthur Ave, Bronx) ● Jerry’s Gourmet (410 South Dean St, Englewood, NJ) ● Giovanni Rana Pastificio e Cucina (75 9th Ave) ● La Panineria (1 W 8th St.) ● Cucina Mia (1898 Victory Blvd., Staten Island) ● Madonia Brothers (2348 Arthur Ave, Bronx) ● Restaurants, Pizzerias & Wine Bars: Acqua Santa (556 Griggs Ave, Brooklyn) ● Addeo & Sons (2372 Hughes Ave, Bronx) ● Azalea (224 W 51 St) ● Borgatti’s (632 E 187th St, Bronx) ● Cacio e Vino (80 2nd Ave) ● Epistrophy Cafe (200 Mott St) ● Fabbrica (40 N 6th St, Brooklyn) ● Felice 83 (1593 1st Ave) ● Felice 64 (1166 1st Ave) ● Forcella (485 Lorimer St, Brooklyn) ● Il Gattopardo (13-15 W 54th St) ● In Vino Veritas (1375 1st Ave) ● Kestè (271 Bleecker St) ● L’Arte del Gelato (Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave) ● Le Cirque (151 E 58th St) ● The Leopard at des Artistes (1 W 67th St) ● Mozzarella e Vino (33 W 54th St) ● Osteria del Principe (27 E 23rd St) ● Osteria del Circo (120 W 55th St) ● Pastai (186 9th Ave) ● Piccolo Cafe (157 3rd Ave) ● Piccolo Fiore (230 E 44th St) ● Pizzetteria Brunetti (626 Hudson St)● Paola’s Restaurant (1295 Madison Ave) ● Il Posto Accanto & Il Bagatto To Go (190 E 2nd St) ● Quartino bottega organica (11 Bleecker St) ● Ribalta (48 E 12th St) ● Risotteria Melotti (309 E 5th St) ● Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto (283 Amsterdam Ave) ● San Matteo (1739 2nd Ave) ● Stella 34 Trattoria at Macy’s (151 W 34th) ● Tarallucci e Vino (163 1st Ave; 475 Columbus Ave; 15 E 18th St) ● Club Tiro a Segno (77 MacDougal St) ● Trattoria L’incontro (21-76 31st St, Astoria) ● Via Quadronno (25 E 73rd St) ● Villabate Alba (7001 18th Ave, Brooklyn) ● La Villetta (398 E 52nd St) ● Vivoli Gelateria at Macy’s ● (151 W 34th St) ● Zero Otto Nove (15 W 21 St) ● Zibetto (1385 6th Ave; 1221 6th Ave; 501 5th Ave) ● Zio (17 W 19th St) ● To be added to our distribution network write to [email protected]

6 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org i-Italy|NY ➜ Editorial

Editorial The Year to Come

➔ Letizia Airos I’ll leave off by saying that 2017 will be a special year for i-Italy. You’ll know Picking a person of the year is what I mean when you see the next a time-honored tradition in the issue. For now I’ll keep you in a bit of magazine industry. Sometimes the suspense. The changes will be many and man or woman who best represents we’ll need your help to see them through. the times we live in now, though important, is controversial. Other i-Italy was founded in New York eight times their story suggests hope for years ago with the stated mission the future. We opted for the latter. of bringing together three similar yet historically isolated groups of Dear friend, my writing you is a means Italophiles: Italians living in the United of diversion, and because you’re far States, Americans of Italian heritage, away I’ll write you with more fervor. and all Americans who love Italy. Our Since you’ve gone something new is plan was ambitious; we wanted to tell going on. It’s over now, the old year, the story of Italian life in America by After the interview with Marianna Pizzolato in her dressing room at the Metropolitan Opera yet something doesn’t sit right here. producing quality content for television, print, and web media whose powerful Thus sings Lucio Dalla in “The Year to League under the wonderful direction in Italy, Giovanni Rana, who has made message would spark lively discussions Come,” a popular song that has entered of Linda Carlozzi, who volunteer to help a name for himself in the restaurant and debates—that were, most the collective imagination of multiple children affected by serious illnesses and industry thanks to his creative importantly, in English. generations in Italy. I recommend looking their families. genius—a matter of passion rather than it up on YouTube. In his letter to a business. Another uncanny story is Since then, with few resources and friend, the great singer-songwriter from This issue, which takes you into the that of young Roberto Scarcella Perino, lots of enthusiasm, we’ve achieved Bologna touches on an array of subjects, new year, gathers together a number a modern (and Sicilian) version of a miraculous results. Our website now imparting most of all his sense of what of subjects regarding current events Renaissance Man who has profitably has over a million hits and, between “doesn’t sit right” and the importance in America as seen in “an Italian yoked his two passions: music and Facebook and other social media, of not losing hope in the possibility for key.” On the eve of the President-Elect cuisine. One of the leitmotifs of this we have almost 200,000 followers. change. taking office, we assembled a few issue (and i-Italy in general!) is how Moreover, our print magazine is in its commentaries and, of particular note, an the combination of passion and work fourth year of production, as is our This year we placed our continued hope interview with noted Italian intellectual can be an antidote to the cold logic of television program, which airs weekly on in a woman, opera singer Marianna Sergio Romano, who provides a business. As Salvatore Ambrosino puts NYCTV, the Public Broadcasting Station Pizzolato. Not only for the dream European view of American politics and it in his article on maestros of Italian of the City of New York (Channel 25). that, by persistence, she was able to considers future steps that Vladimir artisanship, the secret lies in detecting a realize, but for her self-mockery, her Putin might take. “Heart Beyond Spreadsheets.” We’re pleased and proud of our work, perceptiveness, her courage to be herself, but remember that i-Italy exists her anti-diva diva ways in a world What else you ask? In 2017 we’ll be As usual, there’s not enough room here thanks to you and your donations. where everyone puts on (imagined more continuing our series “Grandparents to cover everything, but I cannot neglect In other words, you are the ones who than not) airs. You’ll understand once and Grandchildren in Italian America.” to mention Anna Lawton’s interview can help us keep the dream going! We you’ve read the cover story and watched Here you’ll find a conversation between with writer Domenico Starnone and accept any contribution. Every dollar the interview conducted in her dressing John P. Calvelli and his brilliant Fred Gardaphe’s review of Joseph counts! room at the Metropolitan Opera. grandson John D. The magic meeting Sciorra’s acclaimed book “Builth with Other women featured here include the of minds between seemingly distant Faith.” Neither should you miss Goffredo On behalf of the entire staff of i-Italy, extraordinary photographer Lisetta generations is fascinating. Palmerini’s travels through Lago di I wish you happiness and success for Carmi, who has drawn comparison to Garda, accompanied by gastronomic every year to come. Henri Cartier-Bresson, and the board Our foodie section includes an interview recommendations by our food editors members of the Italian Welfare with another well-known “grandfather” Michele and Charles Scicolone. ([email protected])

Be part of our future Thanks to our latest donors! Lidia Bastianich, John J. Caldwell, John Join the “Friends of i-Italy” program F. Calvelli, Patrizia di Carrobio, Anna Consoli, David Lerner, Annalisa Liuzzo, and MAKE A TAX-FREE DONATION Dominic Massaro, Laura Mattioli, Lou Malerba, Anna Mosca, Aileen Riotto For more info visit www.i-Italy.org/donate Sirey, Dino Spadaccini ... and a friend named Michael who wishes to remain For donations of $99+ you get a year subscription to our magazine anonymous. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 7 Marianna Pizzolato in L’italiana in Algeri. Photo by Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera

8 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org ● ● MARIANNA’S FAIRYTALE FROM PALERMO TO THE METROPOLITAN OPERA The Anti-Diva Diva Sings And Boy, What a Voice!

We meet Marianna that she is the most anti-diva of divas. Our of irony. She was generous with her time chat takes place, oddly enough, just before and, in the end, costume on, sat down at Pizzolato, the mezzo- she jumps on stage to play the lead at the the piano and sang. But before that, at the soprano with the Metropolitan Opera. start the interview, she wore no makeup at Pizzolato’s unexpected success made her a all. “I warm up when I look in the mirror. My booming voice, in her princess in a real-life fairytale. Unexpected thoughts are especially taken up with the dressing room at the not because she is unknown or untalented. action. Where will Isabella find herself, where On the contrary, she’s a star in Europe. Yet does she want to go tonight? It’s a work of the Metropolitan Opera just she had come to the Metropolitan to play imagination, no?” before she takes center a minor role. Then, out of the blue, she was tapped to play Isabella, the lead in L’Italiana The Metropolitan Opera: A Rare stage in Rossini’s in Algeri. Experience L’Italiana in Algeri. Becoming Isabella Despite her obvious excitement, Marianna appears at total ease when she talks about the Met. by Letizia Airos The first thing that took us by surprise was her decision on where to conduct the “The Metropolitan provides you with a rare interview, which we had agreed to videotape experience. It’s different from all the other ●● The dressing rooms at the Metropolitan for i-ItalyTV. Rather than in a television theaters in the world. It’s the biggest, the Opera aren’t what you’d expect. They’re studio or hotel lobby, she’d chosen to sit most important. It’s very demanding. I’m rather bare, furnished with just the basics. down with us in her dressing room, in front aware of that. But my happiness about being But Marianna Pizzolato’s bright star changes of the mirror, while having her makeup done here trumps that. We feel very motivated. all that. The minute she enters she brightens before going onstage. A rare choice for any Obviously you’re more in your element in the room with her warmth and personality. performer. So we helped her prepare and European theaters. Perhaps you speak the Over the course of our interview with the put on her makeup while she talked about same language there. But I have to say that I mezzo-soprano, it gradually dawns on us herself with candidness and a healthy dose really feel at home here, too.” www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 9 that, fortunately, I happen to possess. Isabella is an extraordinary character, one of the most fascinating women in the history of opera. Isabella travels all the way to Algeria to save her beloved, Lindoro, and uses every womanly weapon at her disposal. Including seduction. She does Photo by Lucy Beni Lucy by Photo everything in her power to bring home the man she loves.”

Her Sicily, Her Palermo

Another subject beside music about which Marianna speaks with equal passion is Sicily. Born in Palermo, she grew up in the small city of Chiusa Sclafani and went on to study at the Bellini Conservatory in Palermo. Naturally, these days she travels a lot for work. But her compass still points to Palermo.

“Sicily is a way of being. I feel close to it Marianna Pizzolato with because it embodies a marriage of cultures Fred Plotkin at Casa and contrasts. It blends together all sorts Italiana Zerilli-Marimò of colors and sensations: sun, sea, earth, mountain, volcano. I like being Sicilian. I couldn’t imagine myself otherwise. And We waste no time inquiring about her being Marianna Post-Fairytale Is Still it’s very important to return home. It’s like chosen to play the lead. Marianna regaining a sense of yourself… There’s a Sicilian song that I really love that goes, “How did I feel when I found out I’d be Many things changed after that day, but ‘L’oduri di la zagari si senti.’ It means ‘You playing this role? They call me in to audition she makes a point of saying: “I’m still plain can smell the orange blossom.’ Even for L’Italiana in Algeri, which I know well. old Marianna. I’ve got the same spunk, when I’m far away that verse calls up all When I get there one of the managers joyfulness, passion. There’s much more to sorts of Sicilian fragrances for me: the says, ‘Marianna, would you be willing to this work … there’s much more to music.” aforementioned orange blossom, almond recite the whole thing?’ I started to cry. I’d flower, the dizzying smell of fig trees in never dreamed something so beautiful, so It’s almost like Gioachino Rossini had chosen you the summer, cyclamens, summer flowers, important. I was enormously moved. The for the role... the sea, the smell of fish. Which is to say, I audition was interrupted, obviously. People travel, I sing all over the world, and then at broke out in applause. Maestro James Levain “Rossini chose me? No, Rossini didn’t a certain point I can’t help it, I have to go hugged me and said some really wonderful choose Marianna Pizzolato! But when he back.” things.” wrote this opera he imagined a vocal range

After taking my bow, I stood behind the curtains and thought to myself, ‘I did it! I sang at the Metropolitan Opera! That really happened!’ Up until that moment I’d felt like it was a dream. I still feel that way when I talk about it. As a matter of fact it’s a fairytale! But in order to do theater you have to live in a fairytale. We’re paid to sell dreams after Marianna Pizzolato on i-Italy | TV all. That’s what people Scan the QR code to watch the video on your smartphone, or visit www.iitalyTV.com want from the theater.

10 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org © Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera / Metropolitan Howard © Ken

You can hear the island in her voice, singing long. A year or two and it’s all over.” A Rebuke: It’s A World That Fails To through her. Fully Reward Pure Talent Marianna becomes emotional on this point. She “In a way, my voice represents Sicily. As a recalls: And there’s something else she’d like to talk mezzo-soprano, I avail myself of great vocal about: range, for the very fact that mezzo-sopranos “I come from a modest background. My family “Another great challenge that I faced—that can go down as well as up in register. So could never afford to pay for my schooling. It I have to face often—is that this superficial there’s the earth and the air, spontaneity was hard. I had to work a lot. When I won a world can place a premium on image and and instinct, and maybe a hint of genius.” master’s in Piacenza, my father said, ‘If this is sometimes fails to fully reward pure talent. what you want, go ahead. But you’ll have to How many times have I found myself in Genius Takes Practice, Practice, do it alone because I can’t help you. My smile the uncomfortable position of being judged Practice and joy I can give. But that’s all.” for my physical appearance! It’s a personal challenge, sure, but I come up against it “To borrow a phrase of Gioachino Rossini: Hard work and determination. with the whole opera world. To get where above all things, study. Art itself is study. I am for who I am and not what others Practicing singing is in direct proportion to “I did work hard. But I also have to say there want me to be. It is fundamental for me success—it forms the basis of success. All were a lot of people along the way who gave to demonstrate that I have talent, a voice, the greats tell us how important studying me a hand. I never paid for singing lessons and that I can move onstage despite my is. They’ve shown us how fundamental it is because my teacher, now 92, never charged physicality, my curviness.” in order to rise to the top. It’s a message for me. She believed in my talent. Likewise, young people who want to get their break many others helped me continue and We ask her about debuting at the Metropolitan. without seriously studying. They don’t last supported me economically.” How did she feel after the premiere? www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 11

I lived in a small town near Palermo. My life was very simple. I didn’t begin to dream big until I realized I’d been chosen by music. Music chose me, not the other way around. It was a © Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera / Metropolitan Howard © Ken complete reversal and came as a shock to my parents when I told them I was leaving my job to study music, to become, you know, a lyric singer.”

Marianna In Her Youth

Our talk of fairytales continues, but Marianna paints a portrait of herself as a child not given to flights of fancy.

“I was a bit different growing up. I lived in a small town. My life was very simple. I didn’t begin to dream big until I realized I’d been chosen by music. Music chose me, not the other way around. That’s when it dawned on me that my life might be changing. I was already a grownup. I was working for the local municipality. There was every indication I’d lead a normal life. But that turned out not to be the case. It was a “After taking my bow, I stood behind the love the greens, blues, reds, fuchsias, these complete reversal and came as a shock to curtains and thought to myself, ‘I did it! I Oriental-ish feathers. They’re very refined. my parents when I told them I was leaving sang at the Metropolitan Opera! That really What can I say? I got to work with James my job to study music, to become, you know, happened!’ Up until that moment I’d felt Levain! And it all happened in a special a lyric singer.” like it was a dream. I still feel that way place.” when I talk about it. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s Come Back Soon production is a classic. Like all of his The Business Of Selling Dreams productions, it’s extraordinarily beautiful Her stay at the Metropolitan lasted but a few and elegant. The costumes are delicious. I It’s like a fairytale within a fairytale… weeks. Now she’s back on the road, traveling from one theater to another. Only this time New

“As a matter of fact it is a fairytale. In York seems to be saying: come back soon. The Sicily is a way of order to do theater you have to live in feeling is mutual. a fairytale. We’re paid to sell dreams. being. I feel close to That’s what people want from the theater. “What does New York mean to me? I hate to it because it embodies a Whether it’s opera, classical music, a rehash a bunch of clichés, but it really is the symphony or something else. They want center of the world. Things do happen here. marriage of cultures and to dream and we’re in the business of I’m living proof of that. Plus I have a lot of contrasts. It blends selling dreams.” very close friends in the city, some but not all Italians. When I come here I come face together all sorts of colors So what’s it like to act out a fairytale for four to face with the world, and that can be an and sensations: sun, sea, hours? incredible boost of energy. That’s what I love about New York.” earth, mountain, volcano. “It totally frees you from this world. I like being Sicilian. I Starting here, in the dressing room. You And those of us here look forward to her return. get ready, put on your makeup, meet the We look forward to the return of her elegant, couldn’t imagine myself makeup artist and costume designers, entrancing, animated voice; the kindness she otherwise. and gradually you enter another conveys with a look; her boundless love for dimension.” music. ●●

12 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org THE TV SHOW FOR ALL THINGS ITALIAN IN NEW YORK

Watch us every week on Sunday at 1:00 pm

channel 25 time warner - werizon fios - rcn - comcast - directTV & on air channel 22 cablevision If you miss us on TV, every Monday a new episode is posted online at i-Italy.org | i-ItalyTV.com | youtube.com/iItaly. Better yet, download our free iPhone app from iTunes and connect to HD television with your Apple TV device. ● ● POST-ELECTION SPECIAL: TRUMP’S AMERICA, EUROPE AND RUSSIA Sergio Romano: Populism, Panic and Opportunity

Sergio Romano carries a lot of weight on Italian turf. The historian, political analyst and commentator served as the Italian Ambassador to Moscow at the twilight of the Soviet Union and later suspended his diplomatic career to focus on research and teaching. Even those who differ in opinion admit his viewpoint is always illuminating, informative, occasionally prophetic. We sat down with him to talk about America, Europe and the subject of his latest book: Putin

Sergio Romano Photo: TV 2000 Ufficio stampa by Letizia Airos

●● Trump: Europe’s Reactions though in certain respects it too is justified. at the very least a vulnerable one. She I’m referring to the election of Trump belongs to the establishment and without Ambassador, would you describe for our somehow benefiting populist movements a doubt American society, like all western American readers Europe’s reaction to in Europe. Why should it? I don’t think societies right now, is tired if not sick of Trump’s election? Did the outcome come there’s necessarily a connection between the establishment. In addition, Europeans as a surprise to Europe too? them, though it is a fact that the populist didn’t quite get this email business, but movements in Europe have hailed Trump’s they did get the impression Clinton was Europeans follow the American press, victory as if it boosted their own cause. hiding something, and therefore everyone so they had the impression that Hillary wondered how that would influence the Clinton’s victory was a foregone conclusion. Do you think in Europe the fear is being American vote. We got it wrong, but our mistake was based kept covert? I mean, might those afraid The fact is that Hillary Clinton won the on projections from the United States. of Trump have tended to reinforce—more majority of the popular vote, so you can’t I think the reactions in Europe take two or less unconsciously—their hope that say things went all that badly. Sure, she lost forms. First, Europeans are wondering how Clinton would win with some sort of the electoral vote, calculated geographically, it will affect their relationship with the wishful thinking? which is fundamental to a federation. United States. That is a legitimate question. Maybe that’s another thing Europeans I’d almost call it an inevitable one. Honestly, a lot of analysts knew Hillary haven’t quite understood. The mechanism The second worry is rather irrational, Clinton was a pretty weak candidate, or and especially the “philosophy” of the

14 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org

Trump’s win was strategically used by populist European leaders to place everyone in the same basket and present the American tycoon’s win as an indication of their imminent triumph.

Electoral College typical of federations appear to be little comprehended in Europe.

Populism: Europe/America, Left/Right

You alluded to the effect of “populist” European movements. Europe appears to have fallen into a crisis in part due to the win was strategically used by populist different in kind. The United States has a effect of these movements often associated European leaders to place everyone in the problem with Latin America in particular, with the same phenomenon that Trump same basket and present the American and the Mexican border is definitely one embodies in the US: a populist reaction to tycoon’s win as an indication of their of the major hot spots. But that concerns the negative effects of globalization. Can imminent triumph. a socio-economic type of immigration: you help us sort these concepts out? immigrants who, unlike those in Europe, In the US there is also movement on the are not politically motivated. They’re not The negative repercussions of globalization side opposed to Trump, a desire to counter escaping extreme political situations have clearly influenced the voting results Trump’s rightwing populist rhetoric with triggered by wars, for example. We don’t in both the US and Europe. From that leftwing populist rhetoric, especially know how many of our immigrants come standpoint the two phenomena are fairly regarding immigration. Could you help over for social and economic reasons, but comparable. But I think the motives driving clarify that situation for us too? there is no question that they fit a much European discontent differ. The Euro and more shocking humanitarian profile. These the European Union are at a difficult stage. The problem of illegal immigration in ships crossing the Mediterranean that we The US has no such problem. But Trump’s America and the problem in Europe are absolutely must save!

Presidents Who Won Without Popular Vote “AS IF” Il Gattopardo and the John Quincy Adams, 1824 Electoral College Rutherford B. Hayes, 1876

by Ottorino Cappelli Benjamin Harrison, 1888

● Everyone knows that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and yet George W. Bush, 2000 she lost the presidency. This happened because, according to the US Constitution, the American people do not elect the president directly; the people vote for an electoral college to which the choice of the Donald J. Trump, 2016 president ultimately belongs. This sounds like an un-democratic method to elect a President. Liter- ally speaking, it is. However, over the years constitutional practice added a democratic corrective to the system: the system works “as if” the College reflected the will of the people—i.e. “as if” the people We are not suggesting that the Electoral College should be abol- elected their president directly. ished—other considerations aside, i-Italy is no consitutional think- But does it? It does, but on one condition: that there be no difference thank. Our question is more modest: how could the Italian experi- in the outcome. Admittedly, five deviant cases in 200 years may not ence be of any use for those Americans who wished to reform the warrant for a big overhaul of the US Constitution, but it seems that system without actually upsetting it? something should be done to redress the situation, especially be- Italians’ attitude to political change is stereotypically misunderstood cause the trend suggests that this may be occurring more frequently worldwide due to, among other things, a line in Tomasi di Lampe- given the highly divisive politics of this century. dusa’s book Il Gattopardo (The Leopard), better known as ➜ www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 15 Above: Vladimir Putin. Right: Sergio Romano’s book on “Putin and the Rebuilding of Great Russia”.

In Europe we have yet to decide how to solve that be? We’d risk being culpable of crimes children become American. Recently New the problem, in part because, unlike the against humanity. York City created an ID that can be used by United States, we have no representative people who are here without permission. mediators. The US can always talk to the There may also be another difference, one The mayor has refused to provide registries governments of Mexico or Costa Rica or not always mentioned. Immigration, illegal to the federal government. So the situation Honduras. Those are states with which you or not, has become part of the economic in this country is truly diverse, and I can make a deal. Who is there for us to talk fabric of the country. Many work as waiters, wonder if people in Europe are aware of to? A large number of our immigrants come laborers, housekeepers and drivers for that. from Libya, where we do not have mediators. the wealthy. Their kids go to school. In We might look to send them back to their some states young immigrants can obtain I don’t think so. That is yet another difference. country of origin, but what country would a driving license. They marry and their It needs to be better understood.

a film by Luchino Visconti with Burt Lancaster and Claudia Car- deliberate with calm and wisdom, without undue pressure from dinale (1963). The famous line reads: “If we want things to stay political parties and public opinion. as they are, things will have to change.” Far from being an utterly If you think that this arrangement is not democratic, you are per- conservative statement, this enigmatic quote fectly right. Indeed the Founding Fathers had contains indeed a wise statement in favor of The immediate made clear that the form of government they a balance between tradition and change. This had chosen for the US was not a democracy but is more clear if the sentence is reverted: “If we election should a republic. By democracy the Framers referred want things to change, things will have to stay be made by ... a small to the noble but unfortunate experience of di- as they are.” Avoiding radical change, making rect democracy in ancient Greece (500 years things look “as if” nothing really changed—this number of persons, before Christ) which ended up in the hands of is the special Italian quality I believe could be selected by their demagogues who, with the favor of the major- of some use in this American matter. ity of their fellow citizens, plunged their city- fellow-citizens from the state into political chaos. Out of the chaos, The Reasons Behind the Electoral general mass. [These] tyranny emerged—a “tyranny of the majority,” College sure, but a tyranny nonetheless. Bearing this In this issue of i-Italy, Sergio Romano reminds will be most likely to in mind, they instead conceived of a republi- our Letizia Airos that the Electoral College is possess the information can form of government—one based on the required by the federal system to balance rep- and discernment election of representatives who would deliber- resentation of small and big states. This is true ate in the best interests of the whole as they of course, but it tells us only half the story. requisite to such saw it. This form of government, which later Another main reason why the Founding Fa- complicated [tasks]. came to be called—rather confusingly—indi- thers created the College was to take the power rect, or representative democracy, was seen as to select the president away from the people, — Alexander Hamilton a safer, wiser alternative to direct democracy. who would be easily captured by “passions” And since the representatives are elected by and “factions”, and place it in the hands of a few more rational, the people, it may look “as if” it is a democracy—even though, in better informed persons who—though elected by the whole—could essence, it is not, nor is it supposed to be ➜

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Putin and the Great Russia but a threat. NATO isn’t just any historic Unjustified claims alliance. It’s an alliance designed to make You have a new book out, Putin and the war with an enemy which lies identifiably have been made Reconstruction of Great Russia, in which beyond what used to be called the iron about the relationship you talk about the rise of the Russian curtain. If Moscow sees NATO expanding president. Could you tell us more? to the east, it’s going to draw certain between Putin and Trump, conclusions. The West didn’t understand about Putin’s eagerness to First and foremost I tried to explain Putin’s that Ukraine could have been important motives. He belongs to an institution—the for Europe had it remained neutral. see Trump win. I don’t KGB—that continues to play, an important Instead, by backing the—minor, in my think it’s true. I’m more role in domestic politics. I don’t think opinion—part of Ukraine that wanted Putin was ever a strict communist of an to definitively break with Russia, they inclined to think that the ideological bent but instead someone ended up turning Ukraine into a contested Russians, like the Soviets branded by his association with a very country. And we all know how that turned particular organization. No doubt it out. before them, have always was the military arm of a repressive The book also tries to explain how preferred Republicans to government. But it is also an organization Putin can be quite useful for European where one learns a lot. They view the and American policy and for western Democrats. Based on their world with a certain realism and know democracies in general. The Islamic experience, they have perfectly well what their country’s flaws problem, for example: we think it is our are. So they have always played a secret, problem exclusively, but the Russians have always had more mysterious role, one of real malice, but had to deal with it in ways that are, in a constructive, less also in certain ways an instructive role. certain light, more dramatic. Just look at And I think that kind of describes Putin. the perils of radical Islam in Chechnya, ideological relations with He entered politics after his negative from the Beslan school siege to the Republican presidents. experience in Dresden, where he had the occupation of the theater in Moscow. We impression that the Russian state was merely said, “It was all staged by the KGB.” (Take Reagan and Nixon, falling apart. To him that was humiliating, Those claims hold no water and are beside for example.) Democratic painful. It’s no surprise he dedicated the point. So I try to explain where we his political life to restoring Russian went wrong. presidents risk being authority. That’s his goal and he pursues ideological, as if they felt it by the means at his disposal. I don’t Putin, the US and Europe think western democracies sufficiently invested with a missionary appreciate that. Getting back to Trump, will the new mandate, something that Just as they didn’t understand that NATO, president change the relationship having expanded the way it did, could not between the United States and Russia? Is all Russian leaders—and have been seen by Moscow as anything it too soon to tell? not only Putin—can’t stand.

The Reasons for Change devised by the Framers to insulate the selection of the president from There is nothing wrong, of course, in following the Fathers’ the masses, is inconsistent with this principle. So we’re back to the prescriptions in favor of a republican (as opposed to democratic) question: Should the Electoral College be abolished altogether and form of government. But in this case the replaced with a straightforward popular vote? electors should not be constrained by their Remember, Not necessarily. And this is where the Italian pledge when they meet. They should behave democracy never experience may again come in handy. as free agents, independent thinkers, and deliberative representatives, not as mere lasts long. It soon An Italian Contribution delegates of their parties or even of their wastes, exhausts, and If nothing else, Italians understand the perils of voters.Interestingly, in these very days a democracy. Mussolini himself came to power petition that has collected 5 million signatures murders itself. There through elections and established a dictator- is being circulated to this effect on the Internet. was never a democracy ship with the consent of the masses. Italians, The petition appeals to Republican electors on the other hand, understand little about to assert their constitutional right to change yet that did not commit the American system of government —judg- their mind and refuse to elect their party’s suicide. ing at least from the bewildered expressions nominee—to behave, in other words, as — John Quincy Adams of my students when we tackle the subject in “faithless electors.” This appeal would be in our comparative government class in Naples. line with the constitution, as well as with our When we study the US Electoral College, how- modified quote fromIl Gattopardo: “If we want things to change, ever, they are very attracted by the underlying “as if” doctrine. And things will have to stay as they are” (or better, they will have to when I pose the question, “How could the system be reformed with- revert to what they were or were supposed to be according to the out necessarily abandoning it?” discussions flow. They seem to have Founding Fathers). However, I am afraid this would run against Il Gattopardo in their blood. No wonder. common wisdom. Americans today perceive their country not as a The Italian political system is almost the polar opposite from its “republic” but as a “democracy.” Realistic change must accommodate American counterpart. Italy is a unitary state, not a federation; it has this historically modified self-perception, or it won’t work. a parliamentary (as opposed to a presidential) form of government But in a democracy, the majority of the people must rule. The “filter” and a multi-party (as opposed to a two-party) system. And ➜ www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 17 Claims about Putin’s eagerness to see Trump win are unjustified. Russians, like the Soviets before them, have always preferred Republicans to Democrats. Based on their experience, they have always had more constructive, less ideological relations with Republican presidents. (Take Reagan and Nixon, for example.) Democratic presidents risk being ideological, as if they felt invested with a missionary mandate, something that all Russian leaders—and not only Putin—can’t stand. The same repressive policies of Putin in the face of Russia’s civil society—bans on protests, arrests, police violence—things anyone who knows and loves the country cannot learn of without great dismay—can be partially explained in this way. I’m not justifying it, but it does explain how Russians like Putin see the hallmarks of the west and the United States in these protests, countries that finance non-governing organizations and whose democratic humanitarian character is fundamentally hostile to the regime. These no interest in defending us, then it’s up to us. combine recounting history with such things should not stop us from trying to Federica Mogherini, the High Representative detail and specificity and your effortless make Russia a more democratic country, but of the European Union for Foreign Affairs narrative style? How would you explain it to we must be aware of them—otherwise we and Security Policy, is taking the right course a student? risk taking the wrong course of action. of action in pursuing a four-way effort between Spain, , Germany and Italy [Laughs.] My answer is banal but it’s the only In your opinion, could Trump’s to re-launch a European defense policy. If one I’m able to tell myself. When I started “isolationist” policies, if acted upon, have a American policy is really going to be, shall we writing—like a lot of kids who like to write, negative effect on Europe? say, isolationist (to give it a label) that could I started early—I would give my father what be an opportunity for us. I wrote, essays and stories, for him to read. If Trump really does take the hard line he has And he’d say, “I don’t understand this. I proposed and tells Europe it has to pay for A Lesson in Clarity don’t understand that.” That had a great its own defense—to me that seems like an impact on my education. It taught me to be opportunity to seize! If the US president has On a more personal note, how do you accessible. ●●

its election system, after much experimentation, has come back to practice their “blackmail power.” Not surprisingly, under such an the tradition of proportional representation. None of this applies arrangement, governments are highly unstable. to the US. To get out of this stalling situation, the proposal under discussion Italians, however, are specialists in devis- in Italy is not to change the system alto- ing “as if” situations and in making things gether, but to create an “as if” situation. change behind the scenes while looking “as Provided that a single party is capable of if” nothing had really changed. Indeed, they getting at least a plurality of 40% of the have been trying hard for 20 years to grad- popular vote, it will be automatically ually slide towards a presidential form of awarded “a premium”—an extra quota of government, a two-party system, and even “reserve seats” required to elect a govern- a federal system by applying apparently mi- ment. It is “as if” it got 51% of the vote. The nor formal changes to their constitution, or “premio di maggioranza” thus artificially even none at all. transforms a plurality into a majority: it The latest—and, admittedly, very contro- makes the (relative) winner of the popu- versial—concoction is called the “premio di lar vote look “as if” it were the (absolute) maggioranza” (literally: majority premium). winner—which it was not. The system Here’s how it should work in Italy: of representation stays proportional, the To form a government and elect a Prime multi-party system is preserved, and the Minister, Italy needs a majority of votes in Prime Minister is still elected by the Parlia- the Parliament. But it is near to impossible ment (“things must stay as they are”), but a for one single party to get the majority of the more stable, one-party government would popular vote needed to gain enough seats be the outcome (“things will change”). and thereby enough parliamentary votes. How would this Italian version of the “as Thus major parties must beg smaller par- if” logic translate in the American context? ties into forming a parliamentary coalition capable of electing and Exactly by turning our reasoning on its head: provided that a can- supporting a government. This allows an array of little factions to didate is able to get the majority of the popular vote—but ➜

18 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org ● ● WHYS AND HOWS Italo-Trumpism in NYC

Why did so many Italian Americans vote for Trump and how might they be rewarded for their fealty to him? by Jerry Krase

●● The day after the Presidential election I was in England to deliver the keynote address at the University of Central Lancashire’s “Fieldwork Photography Symposium.” I had already voted for Hillary Clinton on the Working Families Party line by absentee ballot from Brooklyn. My opening remarks were “Yesterday there was a battle in the U.S.A. between the Anti-Christ and Part One: Why? well-educated, and well-off, Italian Americans the Whore of Babylon, and the Anti-Christ Many of the most wrong-headed political are an excellent example of the wide range won.” Given that many in the audience had commentators are now bending over of white ethnic voters who were perilously mistakenly voted for Brexit and were now backwards to explain how they weren’t ignored, except for “deplorable” comments, suffering the consequences of populism, I really as wrong about the election as they by Hillary and the Democratic National knew they’d understand the metaphor. actually were. Most still think that ethnicity Committee. This raises two questions: “Why?” and “How” doesn’t matter; everything was about race Although not a compliment, Italian American might Italian Americans be rewarded for and class as in the “Revenge of the poor and are no more racist, homophobic, and their fealty to the Trumpster?” working class whites.” I believe that even misogynist than non-Italian Americans.

not of the electoral vote—he or she would be automatically awarded bears resemblance to one devised by two influential American “a premium,” an exra quota of “reserve votes” needed to be elected legal scholars of Indian origin, Vikram David Amar and Akhil Reed president. That is: the “premio di maggioranza” would make the sys- Amar. Called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, or tem work “as if” the vote of the Electoral College coincided with the NPVIC, it is an agreement underwritten by 10 American states and popular vote—even when it doesn’t. the District of Columbia to as- In other words, such an arrange- sign their electors to whichever ment would allow the un-democatic candidate wins the national system of the Electoral College to popular vote. It will come into be preserved, including its anach- force only once enough states ronistic non-deliberative meetings have joined the NPVIC to guar- (“things would stay as they are”), antee the winning candidate but it would modify the outcome to 270 electoral votes (participat- make the system look “as if” it were ing states now total 165 votes, a true democracy (“things would or 61% of what is needed). The change,” really). Or, to put this in yet difference with the Italian mod- another way: a democratic principle el lies in one crucial detail: the would be introduced to correct an NPVIC risks being perceived as un-democratic outcome if and when a definitive departure from the it arises. Which seems necessary, if Electoral College system and nothing else because a great coun- therefore could be rejected as try—and great democracy—cannot afford to have over half of its too radical, while an automatic Italian-style “premio di mag- citizens convinced that they did not choose their president (a con- gioranza” would only click should the discrepancy between the viction supported by hard numbers). popular and the electoral vote arise. It thus would seem more respectful of tradition and might have a better chance of being Post Scriptum widely accepted. A little more hypocritical and much more Italian. Perhaps ironically, this mechanism that seems to me so Italian I believe Il Gattopardo would approve. ● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 19 www.dnainfo.com/new-york/numbers/clinton-trump-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-nyc

What made the difference Part Two: How? for the majority of Italian As was obvious during the campaign, more or Americans in voting for less prominent Italian Americans were way Donald, besides his pomposity, out there as loud supporters of The Donald I believe, was concern for their own, and and his agenda. Among them were America’s their families’, security and economic future; Mayor Rudy Giuliani, New Jersey’s Governor not the plight of others. The remnants , and “America’s Toughest” of traditional Italian values of insularity Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona. (family and home) also easily translate As opposed to Trump, the latter lost his (re) to protectionism, and even isolationism. election bid to fellow Italian American, but Placing their faith however in the promises of more liberal, Democrat Paul Penzone. someone so much like Silvio Berlusconi does Shortly following the Trump victory, Reuters not bode well for “our” future. ran a story “Factbox: Short list of potential As I had predicted, in “The Italian-American picks for Trump administration” that included Vote” in I-ItalyNY magazine, Italian American a number of Italian Americans (as of about New Yorkers, or at least the vast majority of twelve days before Christmas, however, their right-leaning neighbors, cast their ballots The vote in NYC by neighborhood it looks like Trump’s most ardent Italian for President-Elect Donald Trump. From a American supporters will find mostly Koch quick reading of the election returns outside brothers’ coal in their stockings): of the Big Apple far and near, Italo-Trumpism For Secretary of State: Rudy Giuliani. had spread from sea to shining sea. New York For Attorney General: Rudy Giuliani, Chris City-wide, Hillary Rodham Clinton garnered Christie, and Pam Bondi, (Florida Attorney almost 80% of the vote while Donald got General). slightly more than 18%. In the Bronx, it was For Homeland Security Secretary: Joe Arpaio. Clinton 88%, in 86%, in Brooklyn For Environmental Protection Agency Head: 79%, and in Queens 75%. Staying true to form, Mike Catanzaro (energy lobbyist, G.W. Bush and as I also foresaw, “La Bella Isola” (Staten EPA official). Island) was the only New York City borough A day later The New York Daily News added: to put their faith in The Donald; there he beat For U.S. Trade Representative: Dan DiMicco Hillary 57% to 40%. This was true even though (Former Nucor Corporation CEO). Richmond County’s only, and therefore most For Commerce Secretary: Chris Christie and influential, daily newspaper,The Staten Island Dan DiMicco. Advance, mistakenly endorsed His Nemesis. While I am writing this, it was announced that Every other New York daily also got it wrong, Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo would be and even The New York Post which had proposed for CIA Director. endorsed Trump in the Republican Primary As might be expected, some of these choices as “A plain-talking entrepreneur with outer- have not been well-received by The New borough, common-sense sensibilities,” York Times and other newspapers that had decided not to stick its neck out in the general endorsed Hillary Clinton. According to a NYT Rudolph Giuliani election. In Staten Island’s many Italian Editorial, “Why Rudy Giuliani Shouldn’t Be American strongholds such as Todt Hill, Secretary of State,” “…he would be a dismal Trump racked up 70% of more of the vote and, “Religious Right,” that includes Evangelical and potentially disastrous choice.” Noting even though Brooklyn and Queens carried Latinos, as well as many Roman Catholics, among other things his problematic business overwhelmingly for Clinton, identifiable the Republican Party’s promise to “pack” the ties and “Mr. Giuliani has given paid speeches Italian American enclaves there mimicked Supreme Court with illiberal judges to limit to a shadowy Iranian opposition group that their co-ethnics (see figure above, based on access to abortion and prevent recognition of a until 2012 was on the State Department’s list www.dnainfo.com). wide range of LGBTQ rights seem to have had of foreign terrorist organizations.” Of course, Italian American weren’t the currency. One might also think that Chris Christie’s only white and nearly-white ethnics who “Fake news” during the election may also appointment to almost anything in the overwhelmingly voted for Trump. A peek at have had an effect on Catholics. For example, new administration would be problematic other ethnically identifiable neighborhoods, someone I used to think was an intelligent given his potential indictment vis a vis the shows that other deplorable voters pulled friend shared with me a report that Pope Gate scandal. the Republican Party lever; but probably for Francis had endorsed Trump. For what it’s Especially since a few of his minions, Bill different reasons. Religious affiliation and worth, Irish American enclaves like Breezy Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly, have already beliefs seemed to have mattered most for Point Queens gave three-quarters of their been convicted and facing a lot of hard time. many. Most puzzling might be Orthodox Jews votes to Trump. However, not only won’t Chris get rewarded who, despite a campaign characterized as Other European American neighborhoods for his yeoman campaign services, he was Anti-Semitic, outdid Italian Americans in their such as “Russian” Brighton and Manhattan removed from the presidential transition team Trumpism. For example, in some Borough Beaches, filled with a variety of New by The Donald’s son-in-law and closest adviser Park, Brooklyn election districts he got more Americans from the Former Soviet Socialist Jared Kushner. Jared purged Chris because, as than 80% of their vote. Some analysts tie Republics, mirrored Breezy Point’s slavish U.S. Attorney he sent Jared’s father Charles their support to Trump’s promise to recognize devotion to The Donald. Their membership up the river in 2005 for tax evasion, witness Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel. in the Vladimir Putin-Donald Trump Mutual tampering and (My oh my!) illegal campaign Nationally, it is claimed that Latinos gave Admiration Society might help explain their donations. ●● almost a third of their votes for Trump, despite support these “strongmen.” In the 1950’s what most commentators regarded as the Theodor Adorno called this the “authoritarian * Jerry Krase is Emeritus and Murray Koppelman anti-Latino wall-building rhetoric. For the personality.” Professor at Brooklyn College, CUNY.

20 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Darrell’s Corner by Darrell Fusaro *

The one thing Americans can all agree on is that the pursuit of happiness includes a trip to Italy.

* Cartoonist, humor activist and great friend of i-Italy, Darrell lives in Los Angeles with his wife Lori and their furry four-legged friends, Mr. French, Gabby, Francis and Enzo. He is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug? and co-host of The Funniest Thing! with Darrell & Ed podcast. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.comwww.i-ItalyNY.com | February-March |Winter 2016-2017 2016 | | i-Italy NYny | 21 ● ● TWO NEW FASCINATING ITALIAN MOVIES A Poetry of Migration

The recent relentless wave of migration is gradually changing the face of the world. In response, a new poetic cinema is emerging to tell the urgent stories of migrants. The latest incarnations are Italian director Gianfranco Rosi’s documentary Fire at Sea and Italian-Moroccan director Adil Azzab’s debut My Name Is Adil, two films that are taking American audiences, quite literally, by storm.

by Tommaso Cartia protagonist, Samuele. It is through feel foreign to us; it is our concern too. Samuele’s eyes that we watch these two ●● Already screened in over 60 countries worlds collide in a dramatically powerful Azzab’s fairytale and awarded prestigious prizes that but totally realistic spectacle. Arguably a companion piece to Rosi’s film include the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin is the upcoming movie My Name Is Adil International Film Festival, Gianfranco A reality we can no longer ignore by debut director Adil Azzab. An Italian- Rosi’s Fire at Sea continues its long journey The Italian director encountered death Moroccan, Azzab’s life mirrors a fairytale in North America. The impressionistic, many times while filming, prompting with a happy ending. emotionally absorbing documentary, him to question the morality of what which chronicles the Mediterranean he was depicting. Was he responsible migrant crisis currently afflicting the for reporting it, he wondered, was it too Sicilian island of Lampedusa, is also Italy’s graphic? Was he disrespecting bodies that, entry for Best Foreign Language Film for of course, are not merely bodies? the upcoming 89th Academy Awards. “I felt it was my responsibility to inform people abou what’s really happening,” said Without a plot or script the director. “It was horrible. The captain The movie was shot as a pure of one boat told me, ‘People need to see documentary, without a plot or script. The this. It’s a tragedy. Like the Holocaust.’ storyline itself arose later, organically, After that, I was done filming. That was during the editing process. Thanks to the it for me. I had to take several weeks off metaphorical power of Rosi’s raw footage, before starting to edit.” the story practically told itself, as the Rosi’s potent images challenge audiences director turned his sights on the residents to open their eyes to what is happening of Lampedusa as they witness the tragedy on the remote island. The lazy eye that unfold. Samuele has to cure is the ultimate In fact, the islanders and the immigrants metaphor for our own lazy habits of seem to exist in distant if nearly parallel seeing, for our blindness, for our apathetic worlds. The islanders view the arrival of response to the dramatic situation of immigrants as a sort of distant threat, immigrants crossing the Mediterranean, like a storm on the horizon. That general who risk their lives to escape. The film Adil Azzab anxiety extends to the film’s young suggests that this situation can no longer

22 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org A scene from “Fire At Sea”

Watch the trailer of “Fire At Sea” on your smartphone .

Gianfranco Rosi country to see it with fresh eyes, the eyes of a man reflecting on his personal Should I shoot struggles as a kid. We had the chance this? Gianfranco Thirteen years ago Adil emigrated from to meet Andrea Pellizzer, the movie’s Morocco and managed to establish himself screenwriter and producer, on the Rosi once asked in Milan, despite an adverse adolescence. occasion of the film’s screening at the He fell into film unexpectedly thanks to New York festival “Italy on Screen Today / himself. His answer “Centro di Aggregazione Giovanile,” a non- #Wind of Europe.” Pellizzer expressed his was—Yes! “I felt it was profit organization that helps adolescents enthusiasm for the project, which was first fulfill their potential. After this experience sponsored by crowdfunding and promoted my responsibility to he joined ‘Imagine Factory,’ an innovative by Italian director Gabriele Salvatores. inform people of what is multimedia association for aspiring Andrea and his team are also pursuing an filmmakers founded by Gabrio Rognoni ambitious project to turn ‘My Name Is…’ really happening. It was and Milanese director/producer Andrea into a series of stories like Adil’s across Pellizzer. the globe. horrible. The captain of one of the boats also A global model The growing buzz around films like My My Name Is Adil is one of Imagine Name Is Adil and Fire At Sea demonstrates said—People need to see Factory’s first efforts. It tells the that immigration is a matter of global this. It’s a tragedy, like autobiographical story of the talented interest and that movies still possess the young Moroccan traveling back to his power to open our eyes to such issues. the holocaust.”

Andrea Pellizzer, A scene from “My Name Is Adil” screenwriter and producer of Azzab’s My Name Is Adil, has an ambitious project to turn ‘My Name Is...’ into a series of stories like Adil’s across the globe.

Watch the trailer of “My name is Adil” on your smartphone www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 23 ● ● THE SERIES WILL PREMIERE IN JANUARY 2017 ON HBO IN THE UNITED STATES The Young Pope and a Few Questions About God

Watch the trailer on your smartphone

Paolo Sorrentino’s series by how much the Neapolitan filmmaker’s new words with which to understand the monumental opus inspires a believer world. is immensely spiritual like me to reflect on faith, to ask the insofar as it posits big questions about God and why we go The grand style of The Great Beauty before Him. remains potent, but it is outshined by its questions that man has I’m well aware that many clerical circles tendering of meanings that, with each long posited yet struggles regard the series with suspicion and, carefully choreographed frame, appears to perhaps misguidedly, have already hint at a different kind of searching. to ask today. branded it irreverent and sacrilegious. But The Church is just a pretext. In reality I think the show is immensely spiritual the show speculates on whether it is still insofar as it posits questions that man has possible to reveal God to contemporary long posited yet struggles to ask today. But man. The papal court, the curia and its by Gennaro Matino* there remain and will remain monuments conflicts, remain in the background, of philosophical and theological searching. though they provide the stage for the ●● With the season winding down, So, the perennial questions, but in a fresh story, a space for suggestive dialogue, hordes of people continue to tune into language that could prove interesting mostly monologues spoken by someone Paolo Sorrentino’s The Young Pope, myself to theologians and the Church from the struggling to find answers within himself, included. Every week I’m further surprised standpoint of method, for introducing someone still interested in ultimate

24 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org questions about existence—the end of I’m well aware Such questions are frightening. They being and the reason for being. aren’t crowd pleasers. But thanks to the that many clerical inventiveness of a cinematic genius they That is what fascinates me most about might find a large audience once again. this production, which has invested circles regard the series It takes courage to unseat the facile and capital and resources into a product that, with suspicion and, convenient talk of a church that acts as were it not presented as a TV series, would a simple charitable organization only no doubt be nominated for an Oscar, perhaps misguidedly, interested in performing good works and given the courage with which it flouts have already branded it never saying why, that gets its hands dirty convention by proposing the idea of God for the poor whom it often betrays yet to a secular, positively pagan society. irreverent and doesn’t understand its choice.

Sorrentino’s hero is young but already sacrilegious. But what Because in truth, talk of God and ultimate world weary, a vicar of Christ robed in fascinates me most aims and the pursuit of thoughtful men disquiet, a man of God one would think might not even serve the purposes of the knew God better than anyone else who is about this production is church. It’s no way to win audiences or actually wracked with more doubt than the courage with which sign clients. When newspapers report on anyone else, a man who rises above his the Pope or the church, they report on personality, the icon of an age dominated it flouts convention by clerical organizations, ethics, scandals, by image yet overwhelmed by decadence. travels and politics. Never God. Major Within the Church and—equally if not proposing the idea of papers cover Francis when he rebukes worse—outside its walls, there reigns a God to a secular, the elite or champions charities for the mediocrity afflicted by the need to escape destitute, but why he does so, or what anonymity by every means and at all positively pagan society. design animates him, is something we costs. don’t know, take no interest in, fail to question. Sorrentino responds to questions about of psychoanalysis, unwilling to sacrifice the meaning of life, history, the why and man’s intelligence or become a puppet, Sorrentino points his camera on God to wherefore of injustice, pain and suffering, a caricature, but instead staying upright avow Him, deny Him, pursue Him, reject by feeding the pope words that belong to and not bending to servility, infantilism or Him, invoke Him and curse Him. But God pioneers of reason, words befitting the mythic and superstitious superstructures. is still the star, and along with Him, man great medieval thinkers who—wavering and his questions. That’s quite a feat to between heresy and dogma, between Where is God? Where mercy? Where is take on, and as far as I’m concerned, the burnings at the stake and canonization— man headed? The questions are time director has already won. ●● gave rise to free speech and noble ideas honored yet the novelty lies in restoring that once ushered in a new Europe, a new spiritual and intellectual inquiry to world. the center of the world and its destiny, without which—short of an answer, and a * Gennaro Matino teaches Theology and History This pope returns to speaking of God different kind of answer at that—the fate of Christianity in Naples. He collaborates extensively with painful probity and the shadow play of the world is condemned to barbarism. with both traditional and new media.

Where is God? Where mercy? Where is man headed? Such questions are frightening. They aren’t crowd pleasers. But thanks to the inventiveness of a cinematic genius they might find a large audience once again. That’s quite a feat to take on, and as far as I’m concerned, the director

Jude Law has already won. Cécile De France www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 25 ● ● THE (MANY) LIVES OF AN ARTIST Life Through the Lens of Lisetta Carmi’s Camera

When she looks back at her life, Lisetta Carmi maintains that, at 92, she has already lived five different lives, as a musician, photographer, community leader, reborn musician and silent bystander. Above all, Lisetta Carmi is known as a photographer whose work has been compared to Henri Cartier-Bresson’s. by Massimiliano Morabito and Natasha Lardera

●● Lisetta Carmi sits in her studio and looks out the window at Cisternino, her adopted home in Apulia that welcomed her decades ago yet also judged her a bit “different.” Surrounded by photographs and books, she Lisetta Carmi in her studio in Cisternino, Puglia looks at you with piercing green eyes, eyes © Massimiliano Morabito that look beyond the obvious, at life itself. And when she looks back at her own life, Lisetta maintains that, at 92, she has already passion for my fellow human beings led me her second life: “Back in Genoa, I wanted lived five lives. The drawing of her made by to witness extreme situations in a world that to march in support of the labor rights of her spiritual guide, Babaji Herakhan Baba, is unjust yet fascinating, a world that I didn’t dockworkers, but my music teacher forbade was right. Each one of the five faces drawn always understand, so I photographed... ” me. He said it was too dangerous. I risked among lotus flowers represents a different Lisetta was a young pianist when her breaking my hands. I didn’t care about that.” life: the musician, the photographer, the family faced persecution by the Fascists. Lisetta’s father had given her her first community leader, the musician reborn In 1938, after the passing of the anti- camera, which she used to cast a light on and the silent bystander. But Lisetta is semitic legislation, she was kicked out of those whom society rejected. With it Lisetta, best known as a photographer who earned her school and forced to cross the border pretending to be the cousin of a Genoese comparison to Henri Cartier Bresson. into Switzerland on foot. “With one hand I dockworker, captured their harsh working was helping my mother,” she recalls, “and conditions on film. The work, commissioned A passion for human beings with the other carrying sheets of music.” by the Italian General Confederation of Her images—whether of transvestites Bach, to be exact. Her passion made her a Labor, stands as a powerful document of the and dockworkers in her native Genoa or a promising concertist, but Lisetta didn’t enjoy cultural identity of Genoa in those years. Yet newborn coming out of his mother’s womb performing in front of strangers. it only animated the young photographer’s or the American poet Ezra Pound—stay with social commitment. one forever. A deep social committment One day a friend invited Lisetta to celebrate “I was a photographer for only 19 years but Then something happened that would New Year’s Eve in the Jewish ghetto in Via it might as well have been 50,” she says. “I lead this young woman, who understood del Campo, where a group of homosexuals was always on my own, camera in hand. My marginalization firsthand, to discover and transvestites lived. She gradually

26 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org

I have often asked myself ‘Where do I come from? How was I able to look at the world and all those human beings in such a natural way?

Above: The transvestites of Via Del Campo, 1965 ; Left: Poet Ezra Pound photographed outside his house in Rapallo, 1966 © Lisetta Carmi (Courtesy Galleria Martini & Ronchetti, Genova) befriended the members of the community thirteen years in the psychiatric ward of St. she penned an editorial column, “Notizie and took their portraits, which she’d give Elisabeth’s in Washington. “We did not meet da Cisternino.” Thirteen issues later, Lisetta them as gifts. A collection of the photos the poet,” says Lisetta, “we met the shadow announced in her column that she was was published in 1972 under the title I of the poet.” leaving the ashram. Travestiti. “The publication faced obstacles as booksellers refused to showcase the book,” Babaji Herakhan Baba Back to music she recalls. “It was considered scandalous.” Lisetta continued working as a photographer “It was time to work on myself,” says Lisetta. But the book had its supporters, including while traveling the world, visiting, among Lisetta collaborated with a former student, renowned intellectuals such as Dacia other places, Afghanistan, Latin America, Paolo Ferrari, a physician, scientist, Maraini and Alberto Moravia. The experience Israel and Palestine. In 1976, while on a psychotherapist and musician who created had a deeply personal impact on Lisetta: trip to India, she met Babaji Herakhan a method called “Asistema in-assenza.” “Thanks to them, I learned to accept myself. Baba, a sadhu or holy man, who became her Although Lisetta had not played the piano When I was a child, I’d look at my brothers spiritual guide. “When I first saw him, I felt in about 35 years, she attended Ferrari’s and want to be a boy. I knew I didn’t want I was living through the times of Jesus, like seminars in Milan, where she would play at to get married and rejected the role society a disciple waiting for her teacher,” recalls the end of each session. assigned to women. The transvestites made Lisetta. “I was in ecstasy, I looked at him and “[G]etting close to music again was a real me ponder the right that we all have to I could see that he was the manifestation of miracle,” says Lisetta. “Up to that point I determine our own identity.” God in human form, that he was pure love.” had learned from life everything I needed Lisetta spent 25 days with her divine teacher to know, and I was then living a reversal of Meeting ‘the shadow’ of Ezra Pound and witnessed Babaji’s prophecy that 75% of roles. The teacher had become the student.” Among Lisetta’s most celebrated works are humankind would soon be destroyed and a her photos of the poet Ezra Pound, taken great part of the world covered in water. Yet Time for detachment and silence during a brief encounter in his house in the remaining humans would start anew. After six years of making weekly trips to Rapallo on February 11, 1966. The unique “The disciples were scared but I was not,” Milan, Lisetta realized that experience, too, black and white testimonies capture “the she says, “I heard the prophecy but all I could was coming to an end. “Life was starting to solitude, the desperation, the belligerence, a hear was the word ‘freedom.’” repeat itself and it was time for detachment gaze at the infinite—everything that cannot Lisetta had to return home to take care of and silence,” she says. Is it the desperate be expressed in words—and the dramatic her elderly mother, but she continued to go silence of Ezra Pound or the silence of the greatness of the poet.” back to India. On one trip, Babaji told her nameless dockworkers in Genoa? Lisetta had been invited to join Genoa’s to build an ashram in Cisternino, a place of “I sit in my chair,” she says. “I close my Director of the ANSA Press Agency to transformation where people could come to eyes and I just sit here. I don’t eat much, interview Pound. They knocked on his door find spiritual solace and guidance. I drink only lukewarm water and I take and after a few moments Pound walked So, in 1986 Liseta opened the Bhole Baba care of the house. I don’t listen to music. out, as if lost. He stood there in his robe and Center, a place identical to Babaji’s ashram. And when I am asked who taught me how slippers and didn’t utter a single word. Pound And in 1992, she also created La Voce di to take pictures, I reply, life. Because I just was old and sick by then, having survived Cisternino, a bi-annual publication for which looked at life.” ●● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 27 ● ● “GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDCHILDREN IN ITALIAN AMERICA.” EPISODE 3. The Calvellis’ Italian Saga from Calabria to the Bronx

John D. Calvelli, with grandpa John P. and their historic Moto Guzzi

Produced by i-Italy in collaboration with ANFE and with the support of the Ministry Our series continues with this conversation of Foreign Affairs, this project documents the between nonno John P., who came from Vico Italian journey in the United States by Apriliano, Calabria, in the late1950s and settled way of a series of conversations between grandparents and grandchildren. We have in the Bronx, and his young nephew John D., only just begun this new adventure with our first TV and Web series. The video of who represents a new generation of Americans this episode, which was recently broadcast of Italian descent who see their culture not as an on our TV show on NYC Life (Channel 25, HD 525), can be seen on our Web TV element of divisiveness but as a tool for (i-ItalyTV.com) and on YouTube (www. youtube.com/iitaly). Or you can watch it understanding others and placing value on the now on your smartphone by scanning the real wealth of America: diversity and inclusion. QR code to the right.

by John P. and John D. Calvelli John D.: But you did it anyway? often take trips, including with girls…

John P.: When I started working I needed a John P.: Of course! It was 1953, I think. John D.: So basically you became the motorbike to go onsite. (I was supervisor of When my dad found out it was mine, he coolest guy in town overnight. a construction site that was nine kilometers had to accept it! At that time, in the village long.) I eventually bought one without my of Vico, there were no motorbikes. I was John P.: I had a good time and your dad knowing. He didn’t want me to. He one of the first to own one and everybody grandma did too! But before we got thought it was too dangerous. would come and ask for a ride. And I’d married we couldn’t ride the bike

28 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org together; her aunt forbade us to! Then in 1958 I came to America and left it to my ●● JOIN OUR PROJECT! brother, Ciccio. A few years ago I went to Italy and found it in real bad shape. I asked my brother to get it fixed and then Grandparents I brought it over to America. I’m so glad to have it here now. & Grandchildren Life in the ancestral village John D.: Tell me about Vico, what was it in Italian America like when you were a kid?

John P.: Today Vico is a small village, but Nonni e nipoti nell’America italiana when we lived there it was very densely populated This project explores the relationship between different generations of Italians in America and John D.: It’s hard to believe… is narrated firsthand by the protagonists. Grandparents and grandchildren tell their stories in a conversation that touches on central issues concerning Italian identity.

John P.: It’s hard to believe but it was. And We’d like to ask you all to help make this project a unique social and educational we were all friends. We were like family. adventure that will bring together stories, pictures and videos made both by us We grew up with nothing, but despite and by yourselves. Join us in this extraordinary journey into the Italian soul of that, we never felt like we missed out on America! anything. What glued people together in Vico was the cultural circle of Azione There are several ways you can contribute Cattolica (Catholic Action). There was nothing else to do in the evenings, so you SUGGEST. Ask the i-ItalyTV crew to come to your place and film went to church, where the cultural circle your conversations with your grandparents or grandchildren. In was… the next months our editors will start looking for stories to be included in the project and aired on TV as part of our weekly show. John D.: So you’d say your fondest Write to [email protected] memories of Vico came from the church, the center of town? DO IT YOURSELF. Film your own stories and share them— even a smartphone will do. And if you are not into filming, you may create a slide show or you can even write your stories and email John P.: Yes, the church was the center of them with your favorite pictures. We’ll screen, edit and collect all everything. Every night I would go there these materials in a social space on the Internet we are developing and play checkers, chess, cards. Then the for the project. Contact us via [email protected] television came out and the priest bought a set… Sometimes you would see a naked DONATE! Help i-Italy raise funds to cover the costs of this girl…. So he put a piece of cardboard ambitious project. Filming, editing, collecting all the materials by the TV and whenever there was an and managing the website—all this has a cost and we need your indecent scene he would cover the TV support. So, make a donation. No amount is too small and every with the cardboard! It was like a curtain dollar helps! This endeavor is supported by the Italian American Digital Project, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that may accept that he would put up and down. That’s donations by individuals, corporations and other non-profit entities. how we spent our youth. All donations are tax-free. John D.: I’ve been to Italy many times now, and after seeing Vico myself, what struck me the most was its real sense of community. For one thing, the houses are so close together, I find it hard to believe ● DONATION GUIDELINES: The Italian American Digital Project, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation (tax ID: 262748551) and may accept donations by individuals, corporations, and other nonprofit organizations you wouldn’t become friends with your ● In compliance with the regulations established by the Internal Revenue Code, the gifts are tax-deductible neighbors. Then the close-knit community ● Donations may be made by check, wire transfer, or online via payPal or Credit Card (please state as your reason: “Grandparents and Grandchildren in Italian America”) ● Checks: Make checks payable to: Italian that seems to be there… I remember one American Digital Project, Inc. and mail it to 140 Cabrini Blvd Suite 108, New York, NY, 10033 ● Money Transfer: Italian American Digital Project, Inc., Account # 7926035937; Routing # 026013673; TD Bank, 317 1120 Avenue time you and I were walking the streets Of The Americas, New York, NY, 10036 ● Online: (PayPal or Credit Card) please visit: www.i-Itay.org/donate and there was no one outside. But you just ● For more information on how to contribute please contact us via email: [email protected] started yelling and screaming, “Everyone come out of your houses! John’s here! I’m back, baby!” And everyone did come dances. At Carnival, Ferragosto, Easter… John D.: And the priest? out. It really made me feel that sense of whenever there was a holiday. My young community that I know you had since day sisters had a lot of girlfriends. So we John P.: The priest found out. So one one. would get together at our house and Sunday, he stood at the altar and said dance. We had the radio, a gramophone, I was the town devil. Afterwards I John P.: It’s because I was the initiator and records, and we danced. Grandpa approached him: “Don Ciccio, don’t say of everything happening in Vico. For Luigi was there, and when he saw us that. What’s wrong with dancing?” Back example, at the Catholic Action, the dancing too close, he would come and then it was forbidden… because they priests forbade us to dance. So I organized separate us a little. thought we would end up in bed. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 29 John D.: Why did you leave all this behind Avenue that you had felt in Italy? out for a walk with Professor Tusiani, and come to America? You seemed happy Peppino Ventura and Aldo Cefalone. I in Vico. John P.: It was the same as being in Italy. started attending church at Mount Carmel Not like now. There were far more Italians on 187th. And, just as in Italy, we would go John P.: Let me tell you what happened. then. It was the first place Italians would to the Catholic Action association. Bishop Your grandmother Nonna Rosa and I settle. In the evening I would always go Pernicone spoke Italian. In church we grew up together. We’d always spent time could all speak Italian. together. When she and her sisters left for When we arrived America in 1947, I told her, “One of these A culture of acceptance days, I’m going to marry you.” And we did in America I felt eventually. But when we decided to get John P.: When I came to America, I married she said we had to go to America. lonely, I missed my couldn’t speak English. We used to speak ‘But why?’ I said. ‘Because my mom and family. When I received Calabrese dialect. But I told your father dad are there.’ And that’s why we came and uncle, “Outside you must speak here. their letters, I would go English. But when you’re at home, Italian and read them in the only!” Life in the Bronx bathroom and cry. John D.: You know, I understand the John P.: When we arrived in America we language but I can’t speak it! stayed with her parents for a couple of Then I realized there weeks until we found an apartment in was a sense of John P.: You can talk very well! Arthur Avenue, the Bronx’s Little Italy. I didn’t want to buy a house. I used to say, community here. John D.: Yeah, but it ebbs and it flows, “I already have a house in Vico.” I didn’t Living in the Bronx was comes and goes. want to stay in America forever. My mom, dad, brother and sisters were all in Italy. I like living in Italy. The John P.: Doesn’t matter how you say it, felt lonely here. I missed my family. When just speak Italian! Did you see how good I received their letters, I would go and stores, the shop it was for your dad and uncle? Your uncle read them in the bathroom and cry. Then windows, everything even taught Italian! I realized there was a sense of community in the Bronx. Living in the Bronx was like was in Italian. Bishop John D.: Well, I never had the chance to living in Italy. It was as if you were in Pernicone spoke take Italian in school, Nonno… I took Latin Cosenza [a midsized town in Calabria]. The because it was the closest thing. stores, the shop windows, the evening Italian. In church we strolls, everything was in Italian. John P.: You definitely didn’t take after could all speak Italian. me, I hated Latin! John D.: So you really felt the same sense — John P. of community and culture in Arthur John D.: I’ve been taking Latin since 6th

30 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org grade. I felt, “Oh, it’s our ancient Italian your own culture, you can really connect you may have a different tradition but forefathers!” I wanted to get to know that with and understand all of the other we all fundamentally value tradition. So, culture. cultures around you. It’s very important through an understanding of your own that we realize that. You may like food, food and culture and tradition, you can John P.: And Latin was the first language, and your food may be different, but we realize the inclusive aspect of all other all other languages come from Latin. all appreciate food. Your language may be cultures. different but we all value language. And John D.: Exactly … I could talk for hours John P.: Sure. That’s why you must hold about how we should defend Latin. But on to your tradition and pass it down to in my opinion it’s even scarier that we’re I am glad I’ve had the younger generation. Same with food. losing Italian in so many schools. Because, One way we kept our traditions alive you know, I feel that understanding and this vicarious was through food. Our cuisine is quite maintaining the culture you come from immigrant experience Italian, though we used to make turkey at is one of the most important things that Thanksgiving! we need to do as a society. And one of through you, it really the most significant ways that we can helps me to be able to John D.: Our Thanksgiving is very Italian maintain our ties to our original cultural American. We have turkey but at the heritage is through the language. understand and to same time we have lasagna, right? I think that the simple fact that we eat John P.: Never forget that! Never forget connect with other lasagna on Thanksgiving is indicative of that your roots are in Italy. people. Actually it is by something much greater. It tells me that we have been able to combine seamlessly John D.: I also think that understanding knowing your own with America but at the same time did one’s own culture can help one to culture that you can not lose our culture. Whether that be understand everyone’s culture, right? food, family, tradition… it permeates Culture in itself is both divisive and really connect with every level of society. It’s amazing that inclusive. I think that today we tend to the Italian culture has been able to do view the divisive part of culture more, the and understand all of that.. part that splits us. “They are their culture the other cultures and we are ours!” That kind of seems to be John P.: It is! the end of the line. But I think this stems around you. You can from the fact that so many people are kind of realize the John D.: I also think that our Italian losing their initial connection with their heritage is one of acceptance, of inclusion. own culture. Clearly that didn’t happen inclusive aspect of all The sole fact that we are Italian and to me, because I was able to live through that I’ve had this vicarious immigrant your immigrant experience, through other cultures. experience through you helps me my study of Latin, through my study of — John D. understand and connect with other ancient history. Actually, by knowing people. ●● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 31 32 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org ● ● AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM OF THE ITALIAN WELFARE LEAGUE IWL’s “I Nostri Bambini”

A group of women is Bea Tusiani, founder of IWL’s program I nostri Bambini addresses the annual working together to gala of the Italian Welfare League fulfill a great mission. Learn about the Italian Welfare League and their program I Nostri Bambini, which has collected $1.5 million in favor of children with disabilities and their families. by L. A. over the years to continue its mission and our WebTV (i-ItalyTV.com) or scan the QR coordinate aid efforts from both the public code to the left. Here are a few excerpts. ●● The Italian Welfare League’s roots and private sectors. stretch all the way back to 1916; however, Joan Prezioso, President of the Italian we will briefly summarize the League’s Change Welfare League, was able to sum up the history from its beginnings to the present. It was September 11, 2001. Many Italian- status of the league’s mission: “We’ve been Today the association is comprised of American families had babies who were able to help about 1,200 children this time, an extraordinary group of women who born after the attacks, some of whom so we’ve really made great strides in the last contribute to changing the future for many remained either orphaned or sick. The 15 years. We hope we can reach our next children with disabilities. The association families called the association for help. milestone of 2 million. Helping children in has been around for almost a century As a result, “I Nostri Bambini” was born, a need is so important; it’s such a satisfying during which it evolved through three program created to support the children feeling to help, because you’re not only distinct chapters. of Italian-American families. Since then helping these children, you’re helping their they have collected and donated 1.5 million families too.” The back story dollars and they want to do much more It was 1916. Mutual aid societies and according to Chairwoman Linda Carlozzi. Bea Tusiani, Founder of IWL’s program religious organizations were preparing Funds are collected during the year by “I Nostri Bambini” shared a sad personal to establish funds to help soldiers on way of various initiatives, but the most story that continues to drive her work the front lines in Italy. They had an prominent annual event is a gala luncheon today: “I lost a child in 2001, and that’s just unforgettable fundraiser in which Enrico called “Autunno a New York.” That’s where when 9/11 occurred, and I read about all Caruso had participated. When the we met the leadership of the IWL with our these pregnant women of Italian descent war was over, women took control of TV team. You can watch the video online on who didn’t have husbands, and I said, ‘Why the organization and prepared to help the families of emigrants. During the Great Depression, work was scarce and environmental conditions difficult, but I lost a child in 2001, and that’s just when the Italian-American women never gave 9/11 occurred, and I read about all these up. They knew that there was always something more to be done. pregnant women of Italian descent who didn’t have husbands, and I said, ‘Why don’t we adopt Humble beginnings In 1920 it was official: the Italian Welfare these children and make them ‘I Nostri League was born. It opened first in Manhattan, then in Brooklyn, and later in Bambini’? And that’s what we did. Washington, D.C. In 1924 it also opened an —Bea Tusiani office on Ellis Island. It took a lot of work www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 33 don’t we adopt these children and make them ‘I Nostri Bambini?’ And that’s what we did. With our success, we were getting more and more money and so we decided to give out grants.”

There are so many different children who saw their lives change for the better thanks to the IWL. One is Laura. Her mother shared Hailey James Jaylin Cadence a story with us about her: “Laura was born with a condition called cerebral palsy. In order to allow her to live with us in our home we had to make several modifications to the home, so we needed to put in an elevator and redo our bathroom and the Italian Welfare League has helped us with part of the cost of the elevator, so she’s able to drive her power wheelchair into the Max Noah Thomas William elevator and have access to the floors of the house. The Italian Welfare League has also been wonderful; they have given us pictures Believe me: and little gifts at holidays just to make her we’re Italians, life happy.” we give back. The The Italian Welfare League has an extensive minute someone gives history, and its members have a lot to say, including John F. Calvelli, EVP, Public us something you Affairs of WCS: “My mother was involved with the Italian Welfare League back in the know that we give it 1950s. When the Andrea Doria went down, back. they asked people to come, and the Italian Welfare League organized it to help people —Pat Harrison get off of the boats as they were being rescued. So there’s a personal connection here on top of the incredible work that the dollars. We have so many bambini who have organization has done.” been assisted and grant organizations. We are helping one child at a time. A few Linda Carlozzi, Chairwoman of the Italian years ago, Jodi, a non-communicative with Katy Perry. It is so heartwarming for us Welfare League tells us even more about autistic child, was able to begin music when we see these children making such the IWL’s endeavors: “Since we started ‘I lessons and performed here beautifully. tremendous progress!” Nostri Bambini’ we have donated 1.5 million The following year she actually performed We’ll close with an appeal that we trust to Patricia deStacy Harrison, President A few years ago, and CEO of the Corporation for Public Jodi, a non- Broadcasting (CPB): “If you donate to this charity, to the welfare of children, communicative the money goes directly to help them. autistic child, was able They have the best track record that I can vouch for personally. The money goes to begin music lessons to these kids, these young kids. All they need is a little help. Some of them have and performed here life threatening illnesses, some of them beautifully. The just need a little boost, but they and their parents will grow up and believe me: following year she we’re Italians, we give back. The minute actually performed someone gives us something you know that we give it back.” ●● with Katy Perry! It is so heartwarming for

us when we see these Interested in becoming a member children making such of the League? Please visit The Italian Welfare League, 8 East 69th tremendous progress. Street, New York, NY 10021 —Linda Carlozzi (www.italianwelfareleague.org)

34 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org ● ● ITALIAN ASSOCIATIONS IN AMERICA ALMA: Lawyers’ Network Between Italy and the U.S.

We sat down with Paolo Strino, the president of the nonprofit association responsible for creating a network of professionals and alumni in the economic-legal sector.

by Fred DeSiena Who does ALMA reach?

●● ALMA- Italian LL.M. Association is a “ALMA reaches a community of law nonprofit organization that unites Master professionals that have completed an of Laws (LLM) students and alumni from elite post-graduate degree at an American some of the greatest American universities. university. ALMA also welcomes American It also seeks to facilitate professional lawyers interested in the laws and international mobility by sharing economics of our country. The organization personal information. The association is website, www.llm.it, contains information a leading source of information in Italy Paolo Strino for anyone interested in contacting us. Also, for those looking to study abroad in the the association organizes cultural events economic-legal sector. To learn more both in the US and in Italy. Participation is about the association we interviewed facilitates the sharing of knowledge among open to anyone who has studied in the US tALMA president Paolo Strino, Director for associates pursuing careers in international and wants to meet lawyers.” Intellectual Property at the New York office law while aslo preserving the highest of the Gibbons law firm. professional and ethical standards. Our What can we expect in 2017? network of professionals has an interest in How was ALMA born? developing long-term relationships based on On January 26 we have the ALMA Gala the universal values of knowledge, integrity, Dinner at the Penn Club of New York, It was born on the initiative of Italian and merit. when we will honor a member of the attorneys and professionals in the Italian community “between worlds” in the economic-legal sector. They decided to What does ALMA offer its associates? economic, law, and financial sectors. Past make the knowledge that they had acquired honorees include Andrea Soriani from while working and studying in the United The association provides aspiring students Maserati, Albero Milani from Buccellati, and States available to those who plan to or are with a lot of information regarding Guido Calabresi, Dean of Yale. This year’s already completing a Master of Laws there. completing a Master’s and the advantages honoree is Dr. Gaetano Sciuto, president of of such training. Such programs offer a Fendi America. Lavazza is a sponsor. There What is ALMA’s mission? unique experience—perhaps the last chance will be a silent auction and proceeds will to immerse oneself in study—as well as the go to charity. We are also working on the We believe the globalization of professional opportunity to make lasting connections 2017 Scholarship in collaboration with ALSA services and ever-growing competition with enterprising individuals. Its approach (Associazione degli Studi Legali Associati) and create individual challenges that we will to law is both practical and concrete. ALMA the Ordine degli Avvocati of Milan. ●● need to tackle in the near future. Everyone has exceptional facilities; our library is benefits when we face them in a coordinated open around the clock and our classrooms and cohesive manner. The association equipped with the latest technology. For more information please visit www.llm.it www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 35

I have often asked myself ‘Where do I come from? How was I able to look at the world and all those human beings in such a natural way?

Above: The transvestites of Via Del Campo, 1965 ; Left: Poet Ezra Pound photographed outside his house in Rapallo, 1966 © Lisetta Carmi (Courtesy Galleria Martini & Ronchetti, Genova) befriended the members of the community thirteen years in the psychiatric ward of St. she penned an editorial column, “Notizie and took their portraits, which she’d give Elisabeth’s in Washington. “We did not meet da Cisternino.” Thirteen issues later, Lisetta them as gifts. A collection of the photos the poet,” says Lisetta, “we met the shadow announced in her column that she was was published in 1972 under the title I of the poet.” leaving the ashram. Travestiti. “The publication faced obstacles as booksellers refused to showcase the book,” Babaji Herakhan Baba Back to music she recalls. “It was considered scandalous.” Lisetta continued working as a photographer “It was time to work on myself,” says Lisetta. But the book had its supporters, including while traveling the world, visiting, among Lisetta collaborated with a former student, renowned intellectuals such as Dacia other places, Afghanistan, Latin America, Paolo Ferrari, a physician, scientist, Maraini and Alberto Moravia. The experience Israel and Palestine. In 1976, while on a psychotherapist and musician who created had a deeply personal impact on Lisetta: trip to India, she met Babaji Herakhan a method called “Asistema in-assenza.” “Thanks to them, I learned to accept myself. Baba, a sadhu or holy man, who became her Although Lisetta had not played the piano When I was a child, I’d look at my brothers spiritual guide. “When I first saw him, I felt in about 35 years, she attended Ferrari’s and want to be a boy. I knew I didn’t want I was living through the times of Jesus, like seminars in Milan, where she would play at to get married and rejected the role society a disciple waiting for her teacher,” recalls the end of each session. assigned to women. The transvestites made Lisetta. “I was in ecstasy, I looked at him and “[G]etting close to music again was a real me ponder the right that we all have to I could see that he was the manifestation of miracle,” says Lisetta. “Up to that point I determine our own identity.” God in human form, that he was pure love.” had learned from life everything I needed Lisetta spent 25 days with her divine teacher to know, and I was then living a reversal of Meeting ‘the shadow’ of Ezra Pound and witnessed Babaji’s prophecy that 75% of roles. The teacher had become the student.” Among Lisetta’s most celebrated works are humankind would soon be destroyed and a her photos of the poet Ezra Pound, taken great part of the world covered in water. Yet Time for detachment and silence during a brief encounter in his house in the remaining humans would start anew. After six years of making weekly trips to Rapallo on February 11, 1966. The unique “The disciples were scared but I was not,” Milan, Lisetta realized that experience, too, black and white testimonies capture “the she says, “I heard the prophecy but all I could was coming to an end. “Life was starting to solitude, the desperation, the belligerence, a hear was the word ‘freedom.’” repeat itself and it was time for detachment gaze at the infinite—everything that cannot Lisetta had to return home to take care of and silence,” she says. Is it the desperate be expressed in words—and the dramatic her elderly mother, but she continued to go silence of Ezra Pound or the silence of the greatness of the poet.” back to India. On one trip, Babaji told her nameless dockworkers in Genoa? Lisetta had been invited to join Genoa’s to build an ashram in Cisternino, a place of “I sit in my chair,” she says. “I close my Director of the ANSA Press Agency to transformation where people could come to eyes and I just sit here. I don’t eat much, interview Pound. They knocked on his door find spiritual solace and guidance. I drink only lukewarm water and I take and after a few moments Pound walked So, in 1986 Liseta opened the Bhole Baba care of the house. I don’t listen to music. out, as if lost. He stood there in his robe and Center, a place identical to Babaji’s ashram. And when I am asked who taught me how slippers and didn’t utter a single word. Pound And in 1992, she also created La Voce di to take pictures, I reply, life. Because I just was old and sick by then, having survived Cisternino, a bi-annual publication for which looked at life.” ●● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com |Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 27 www.eatalyny.com

CHEF’S WORKSHOP February 4th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM January 28th, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM A 4-Course Dinner Featuring the Food & Wine Formaggio & Sidro: A Cheese & Cider Tasting with Dan December 16th ,January 6th & February 20th of the Veneto - $125 Pucci - $75 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM February 10th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Forming Formaggio: Hands-On Workshop - $125 A 4-Course Dinner Featuring Calvisius Caviars - $125 DRINK BETTER, LEARN BETTER December 21st, January 17th & January 30th February 14th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM A 4-Course Dinner Featuring Italian Aphrodisiacs - $125 January 14th & February 18th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Fresh Pasta: Hands-On - $125 February 184th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Back to Basics: Wine 101 - $40 January 24th & February 15th A 4-Course Dinner Celebrating Carnevale in - $125 January 27th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM February 122nd, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Best of Eataly Vino: Winter Edition - $75 Get to Know Gnocchi: Hands-On - $125 A 4-Course Dinner Featuring the Food & Wine of Toscana - $125 February 2nd, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM January 18th & February 8th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Classic Italian Cocktails - $75 A Hands-On Pizza Party with Rossopomodoro - $125 February 24th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM February 11th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EAT BETTER, LEARN BETTER Classic Italian Cocktails - $75 Hands-On Workshop: Artisanal Baci-Making with Perugina - $125 December 27th, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Baked Winter Pasta - $100 CHEF’S TABLE December 28th & January 5th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (All events are at Eataly NYC Flatiron) Italian Comfort Food- $100 December 30th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM January 10th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM A 4-Course Holiday Fish Feast - $125 Back to Basics: Pasta 101 - $100 January 7th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM January 13th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM A 4-Course Dinner Celebrating the New Year - $125 The Cooking of Florence & Siena - $100 January 14th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM January 20th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM A 4-Course Dinner Celebrating Winter in the Italian Alps - $12 Stews & Brews - $100 This is only a selectionof the January 28th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM January 26th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM events at La Scuola di Eataly. Italian-American Favorites: Re-imagined - $100 When New York Wine Met Italian Food: For more info visit our website: A 4-Course Dinner Exploring Perfect Pairings - $125 February 25th, 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM Formaggio & Vino: Alpine Cheeses & Wines - $75 http://www.eataly.com/nyc-school

36 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Events This is only a selection of the forthcoming Italian events in New York. For the full calendar point and shoot with your smartphone, or go to www.i-italy.org

Conferences Book Arts & Cinema Music & Food Fashion

legend & Seminars Presentations Exhibits & Theater Concerts & Wine & Design

● ● A PREVIEW OF ITALIAN AND ITALIAN-AMERICAN EVENTS Best of Italian Culture in 2017

We reached out to the heads of Italian architect Andrea Palladio different Italian and Italian- (1508-1580). The exhibit aims to show the politician’s lesser- American institutions in and known passion for neo-classical around New York to find out architecture and theITALIAN extent to CULTURE AT HOME IN NEW YORK what major events they have which he was influenced by Palladio’s style. LA CULTURA ITALIANA A NEW YORK planned for the coming year. Here’s what they responded... Casa Italiana Zerilli- Marimò, New York Consulate General of Italy University ◗ casaitaliananyu.org

● The Casa Italiana of the will host several events in collaboration Italo Calvino with Carnegie Hall’s citywide festival “La Serenissima: Music in New York Calvino’s “American lessons.” and Arts from the Venetian ◗ consnewyork.esteri.it Also of note is an exhibition Republic.” On February 9 Casa curated by art expert Marco Italiana will present the US ● The Consulate General of Italy The Italian Cultural Bertoli who selected a number premiere of a staged version of will begin the New Year with a Institute of New York of beautiful paintings by Memoirs, a play written by Carlo little continuity by reviving their ◗ iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork various artists born not Goldoni, the innovative 18th “New York Loves Italy” series, a long after the fall of the century Venetian playwright. project begun in 2016 that brings ● This winter the Italian “Serenissima” Republic of On February 10 a roundtable to light Italy’s important role in Cultural Institute will be Venice in 1797, 220 years ago. discussion will be held on the New York City’s everyday life. presenting a series of events Guglielmo Ciardi, Giacomo remarkable tradition of early Monthly conversations will be dedicated to renowned Favretto, Rubens Santoro and modern Venetian women’s dedicated to topics such as film, Italian writer Italo Calvino Pietro Fragiacomo are just a writing. Next up, on February fashion and art, to name a few. on the occasion of the new few of the painters who will 11, is another US premiere,The The Consulate will also continue translation of his landmark pay tribute to the stunning city. Worth of Women, based on Il their “Meet the New Italians of book Six Memos for the Next merito delle donne, a dialogue New York” program, a dynamic Millennium, a collection of written by Moderata Fonte, series of encounters that brings lectures Calvino was to give a Venetian poet of the 16th together new generation Italian at Harvard in the fall of 1985 century. Fonte, a woman way immigrants to exchange ideas but never delivered as he ahead of her time, was an and experiences with fellow died before leaving Italy. Five advocate of gender equality. countrymen who have established of six planned lectures were Finally, an “interfaith exchange” themselves in the social and completed, each focusing on a based on Italian baroque music professional fabric of the City. specific quality that the writer will be held on February 16. A job fair and an art fair will considered essential in literary On March 23 the Casa kicks also be held during 2017 as yet writing: Lightness, Quickness, off a fascinating art exhibition another way to help engage and Exactitude, Visibility and centered on the relationship unify the community. Our overall Multiplicity. Accordingly, five between America’s founding aim is to strengthen the relations separate events will be held father Thomas Jefferson, between New Yorkers in love with at various venues throughout Carlo Goldoni President of the US between Italy and Italians who love New the City, each based on one of 1801 and 1809, and the York. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 37

24 West 12th Street www.casaitalianaNYU.org

06-13_SERVIZI.indd 11 1/22/13 1:58 AM Events

and influences of the Venetian For next year we’re planning Republic. a number of events of great On February 13 a panel intellectual and cultural discussion with several experts interest. Besides a lecture series, will examine the cultural two big conferences are in the exchange between the Ottoman works. Empire and the Venetian The first is scheduled for mid The Italian Academy Republic. June and entitled “Latin and for Advanced Studies Italian Linguistics.” Coordinated in America, Columbia by Professor Lori Repetti, it will University bring to campus distinguished ◗ italianacademy.columbia.edu scholars to explore programmatic and pedagogical ● A few beautiful concerts will connections between Classical be held this winter at Columbia Civilization and the Italian Naples as seen by William Papaleo University’s Italian Academy, language. The second focuses starting December 2 with on “Migration as a Global Nero and the fall of the Lehman Finally, two exhibits will also Phenomenon” and is part of a Brothers, the highly anticipated take place at the Institute: three-stage initiative involving world premiere of the latest one called “Transnationalizing universities located in three opera by Jonathan Dawe. On Modern Languages” and continents: the University of January 26, Romantic Vienna John D. Calandra Italian another displaying the work of Palermo in May, the University will feature classical pieces by American Institute, Italian painter, William Papaleo. of Sidney in June, and Stony Schubert and Brahms, and, on Queens College (CUNY) Brook University in October. February 23, don’t miss Prague: ◗ qcpages.qc.edu/calandra Czech Romantics with music by Antonin Dvorák. The last ● The 2017 cultural program of concert of the series is Clara the Calandra Institute is rich Schumann: Artist and Muse, and diversified as always. On dedicated to Robert Schumann’s February 22, a documentary wife, Clara, an incredible entitled The Barese Icemen composer in her own right. of New York will open their Her music reveals the woman “Documented Italians” Film & behind the muse. Video Series. It traces the lives As part of Carnegie Hall’s of Italian immigrants from Center for Italian Studies “La Serenissima” festival Apulia who dominated ice at Stony Brook University honoring the city of Venice, the making and delivery in New (SUNY) Italian Academy will host two York City from the 1920s to ◗ stonybrook.edu/italianstudies roundtable discussions. On the 1960s. Another film will be February 2 forensic musicologist screened in April, Sicily Jass: ● The mission of Stony Brook’s Jordi Savall and musician The World’s First Man in Jazz Center for Italian Studies is Magdalena Baczewska will followed by a discussion with twofold: on the one hand, they talk about the musical styles the director, Michele Cinque, organize scholarly events for led by independent scholar the academic community. On George DeStefano. the other, tehy hold a variety of Two interesting events will cultural activities that engage be held in March: on the the Long Island community. 16th, cultural historian John Gennari will talk about “Flavor and Soul: Italian America at The migration phenomenon its African American Edge,” and its different players aiming to show how deep does (refugees, displaced people, the affinity between black and dreamers for a better future) Italian cultures run in this will be put into geographic and country. Soon after, on March historic context. The conference 22, three young emerging is supported by the Fondazione Italian American writers will Migrantes. turn to memoir to explore their Literary events are fundamental roots as part of Calandra’s to colleges. In keeping with Writers Read Series. that idea, the Center for Italian Like every April, the Institute Studies will host a presentation will hold its annual conference of a special issue of Forum (April 27-29). This year the Italicum, Lucania Within: focus will be on music: “Italian Carlo Levi and Rocco Scotellaro, Sonorities and Acoustic accompanied by an exhibit of Communities: Listening to Levi’s paintings and sketches, the Soundscapes of Italianità.” some never seen before.

38 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Events

winning filmmaker Andrea Segre will premiere his documentary Come il peso dell’acqua (RAI3). The event provides a much-needed Italian perspective on the Mediterranean migrant crisis. The screening and Q&A are part of “Italy and the Euro- Mediterranean Migrant Crisis Italian American The Inserra Chair in National Reception, Lived Experience Lecture Italian and Italian Experiences, E.U. Pressures,” Series , Hofstra Cultural American Studies, an event in collaboration Center at Hofstra Montclair State with Columbia University, celebration of “Festa di San University University which includes a panel of Giuseppe”, a popular holiday ◗ hofstra.edu/community/culctr ◗ montclair.edu/inserra/events experts on contemporary in Italy, especially in the immigration in Italy (April 26, South, provides an occasion to ● Hofstra University’s Italian ● The Spring 2017 Inserra Columbia University). Each showcase traditional regional American Experience Lecture Chair calendar of events event demonstrates the Inserra fare and the customs that make Series, now in its twentieth offers programs for dedicated Chair’s interest in how the St. Joseph’s Day special. year under the direction of Dr. Italophiles as well as Italian- movement from and to Italy of Also scheduled is the Annual Stanislao Pugliese, will host American history buffs. On people, ideas, and goods reflects Corrado Joe Manfredi ‘Taste of three lectures by master chef February 23 Joseph Sciorra, the dynamic nature of the Italy’ Golf Outing (June, Date and culinary autority Enrico Director for Academic and country’s culture and economy. TBD). Corrado Joe Manfredi was Bazzoni, entitled “Italian and Cultural Programs at the an accomplished businessman Italian American Cuisine Calandra Institute, will present and community leader known Reconsidered.” (Date to be his book Built with Faith: Italian throughout the tri-state area announced). American Imagination and Catholic and a beloved role model in There will also be a special Material Culture in New York City, Staten Island. By celebrating presentation of The Routledge a fascinating look at the impact his life and spirit, the Italian History of Italian Americans edited of Italian-American religious Cultural Foundation aims by William Connell & Stanislao practices. In March (date TBA). to preserve his legacy and Pugliese. The book is a new develop a network for the next multi-authored history of one generation of Italian Americans of the largest ethnic groups in to follow in his footsteps. the United States. The collection Last but not least, there will be brings together leading Casa Belvedere, two festivals at Casa Belvedere scholars and critics to create The Italian Cultural this summer: “Cinema Sotto a narrative of the trials and Foundation, Le Stelle,” an outdoor Italian triumphs of Italians in America. Staten Island film festival (every Wednesday Concentrating on themes ◗ casa-belvedere.org evening starting mid July); ranging from immigration to and the “Festa d’Italia/Motori religion, labor rights to women’s ● Staten Island’s Casa d’Italia” Italian Festival and rights, the collection reflects Belvedere kicks off a series Car Show (September, date the field of Italian American of not-to-be-missed 2017 TBD). Both festivals are widely Studies in its current form and events with Il Presepio della popular and attract hundreds if highlights unique elements of Solidarietà, a solidarity crèche not thousands of visitors. ●● Italian American culture that crafted by hand by master have particularly influenced artisans from Italy’s Campania the American experience as a Region and presented to the whole. New York City Fire Department as a gift from the Naples Daniele Balicco, editor of Chamber of Commerce in honor Made in Italy e cultura and of 9/11 victims and the brave author of several articles on fire fighters, police officers and food, technology and healing EMS workers who made the practices, and Maurizio ultimate sacrifice that day. In Forte, Director of the Italian 2011 the International Columbia Trade Agency, will discuss Association of FDNY entrusted “Food Sustainability and the Italian Cultural Foundation Bio-technologies” as part of at Casa Belvedere to be the a series that approaches the custodians of this significant concept of Made in Italy from display. On display until January a philosophical and cultural, 6. as opposed to a commercial, On March 19 the traditional The Solidarity Creche vantage. St. Joseph’s Day dinner will be at Casa Belvedere Finally on April 27 award- held at the Belvedere Club. The www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 39 Events

● ● NEW YORK’S CITYWIDE TRIBUTE TO VENICE (FEBRUARY 3-21) La Serenissima: Music and Arts from the Venetian Republic

This February Carnegie Hall of those truly great stories will host a series of concerts of human creativity, human ingenuity, and human genius.” to honor Venice’s perennial Occurring at the same time artistic contributions. as Carnevale di Venezia, the Thanks to the collaboration prestigious venue will headline a series of concerts of vocal of a number of cultural masterpieces and virtuoso institutions throughout instrumental music from the New York City, the thousand-year marvel that was the Venetian Republic. celebration will extend Jordi Savall, a leading legend citywide in an array of in early music, will launch the events that span several festival on February 3 with his artistic genres. three ensembles, featuring music from Istanbul, Cyprus, Crete, and, of course, Venice itself. Other highlights include Vivaldi’s dramatic oratorio, by Kayla Pantano Juditha triumphans with the Venice Baroque Orchestra and ●● However hard it may Monteverdi’s monumental be to envision Venice, with © Anna Carmignola final opera L’incoronazione di its spectacular scenery, as Poppea, performed by Concerto a refuge from marauding Italiano and led by Rinaldo barbarians, that is exactly Alessandrini. how this lagoon city came into being. With the fall of the A citywide festival Western Roman Empire in the Thanks to the collaboration fifth century, waves of people of several leading cultural fled to the marshlands from institutions across New surrounding Roman cities York City, including the to escape hostile invaders. Italian Cultural Institute , After experiencing a long, Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò The Venice Baroque Orchestra tumultuous history under the of NYU, and Columbia Byzantine sphere of influence, University’s Italian Academy, Venice’s autonomy grew, end, the Republic of Venice 1,000 years it served as the the celebration will span a morphing into an independent is taking New York by storm cultural capital of the nation. variety of creative genres. city-state between the 9th thanks a citywide festival, Merchants were not just Myriad events, including and 12th centuries. Until “La Serenissima: Music bringing their finest garments, panel discussions, theater Napoleon’s conquest in 1797, and Arts from the Venetian textiles, and products, they performances and art the city stood distinctly Republic,” led by Carnegie were also trading culture and exhibitions, will delve into the apart from Italy and the Hall in recognition of Venice’s connections.” rich culture and history of “La rest of Europe. During its accomplishments and historic Carnegie Hall’s ninth festival, Serenissima.” ●● 1,000-year long history, “La impact on symphonic and “La Serenissima” is an Serenissima” (“the Most operatic music. extension of the venue’s Serene Republic of Venice”) ongoing exploration of early represented an innovative A jewel in New York music in an effort to seek For a complete list of the events institutional experiment in “Venice is considered out seldom-heard gems. “We and ticket self-government, evolved a jewel,” said Italian choose topics that are utterly information, into an economic and trading Ambassador to the United compelling and tell stories please visit power, and earned a worldwide States Armando Varricchio that are important to tell,” said carnegiehall. reputation for its artistic and during the presentation executive and artistic director org/venice. cultural achievements. of “La Serenissima” at the Clive Gillinson. “That is why Today, 220 years after its Consulate General of Italy. “For we chose Venice. Venice is one

40 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Events

● ● CAGNACCI’S BAROQUE MASTERPIECE AT THE FRICK MUSEUM UNTIL JANUARY 22 A Hidden Gem at the Frick

A chance to learn more about Guido Cagnacci, a little-known painter who also happens to be one of Italy’s most eccentric personalities. by Joelle Grosso

●● Unlike Caravaggio or Bernini, Guido Cagnacci is a name scarcely heard in the Italian art world. An extraordinary painter, he was born in Santarcangelo di Romagna in the 17th century, while the Baroque art movement was in bloom. Art historian Claudio Strinati refers to Cagnacci as “the least Italian among Italian artists,” as he was not able to achieve his highest form of expression until Guido Cagnacci, The Repentant Magdalene, ca. 1660−63. Oil on canvas. after leaving Italy for Austria Norton Simon Art Foundation, Pasadena, California. On view at Frick Museum. later in life. Not to mention the fact that the family name, money. The painter was always but morally upright. One day masterpiece and there are only Cagnacci, died with him, since surrounded by beautiful young Martha convinces her sister to four works of Cagnacci in public neither he nor his siblings ever women, but because it was go to church to listen to Jesus. collections in this country. This is married. Having no successors illegal for single women to live After she agrees, Mary dons one by far a unique thing.” and having done his best work with a single man, the women of her most expensive outfits Salomon hopes to introduce abroad, the talented Cagnacci would cross-dress to pass along with tons of jewels and not only New York but also has largely been forgotten… themselves off as his assistants. strings of pearls. As soon as she the whole country to an artist until now. Cagnacci himself created a hears Christ speak, Mary realizes that is practically unknown pseudonym for his affairs, all of her wrongs and drops to here, to deliver this hidden A turbulent life though he always signed his her knees. When she gets home, gem to a larger public. Not a We know just snippets of paintings with his real name. she locks herself in her bedroom, single scholarly article has been Cagnacci’s mysterious and often removes all of her clothes and written on Cagnacci in English. tempestuous life, mostly thanks Religious subjects full of jewelry, and, sobbing, rejects Salomon felt it was his task to to his criminal record. The first eroticism her shameful life. The painting demonstrate just how brilliant we hear of him is when, then 27 Cagnacci’s paintings were often clearly portrays this story and Cagnacci was, especially in the years old, he fell in love with a ridiculed by other artists as the includes an allegorical reference landscape of Italian 17th century rich aristocratic woman. In order grossly unoriginal work of an to an angel and a devil to show art. for the two to elope, Cagnacci’s incompetent artist. His work is that virtue always triumphs over lover dressed up as a man characterized by chiaroscuro and vice. * * * to escape her palace. But the overwhelmingly sensual subjects. Repentant Magdalene, on loan couple’s plot was reported to the The Repentant Magdalene, currently “A unique thing” from the Norton Simon Museum police by none other than the on display at the Frick Museum, When deciding which will be on display until January 22 painter’s own father. As a result, depicts Magdalene’s fresh start masterpiece to add to the Frick before going back to its home in Cagnacci went into hiding, while as a Christian after leading a life collection, chief curator Xavier F. California. Another beautiful work the widow was arrested and of sin, a conversion recounted in Salomon said, “I could’ve picked by Cagnacci, Dying Cleopatra, wound up being forced to marry Pietro Aretino’s L’umanità di Cristo Rembrandt, I could’ve picked can be viewed in person at the a distant cousin. (Humanity of Christ). Goya, I could’ve picked Degas or Italian Cultural Institute from Another strange fact known Aretino tells the story of two Manet or lots of fantastic things December 2 until January 19. to us about Cagnacci is that a sisters: Mary Magdalene, a they have, but I immediately Another version of Cagnacci’s few years later, for no apparent wealthy, well-dressed court decided to pick [Repentant Dying Cleopatra will be on reason the daughter of a prostitute, and Martha, quite Magdalene]. I did so for two show at theMetropolitan Museum stonemason left him all of her the opposite, plain and boring reasons: it is Cagnacci’s absolute during the same period. ●● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 41 Events ➜ Calendar

Italian Film Screening at MoMa

MoMa, 11 W 53 Street has already fallen in love with his cousin, various pregnancies from her husband ◗ moma.org/calendar/events divorce is illegal, and the only solutions are Carmine; who is virtually exhausted. Ieri, Oggi to catch her with another man or to murder e Domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) is her (in Italian with English subtitles). based on a screenplay by Eduardo De Filippo, Alberto Moravia, Cesare Zavattini. Starring Dec 30 - 1:30PM Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, and 8½ (1963) Pasquale Cennamo (in Italian with English Directed by Federico Fellini subtitles). This comedy-drama is based on a privileged filmmaker whose writer’s block, despite the constant pressure from paparazzi, insistent producers, and assistants, causes him to retract into a puerile lifestyle of women and partying. The screenplay was written by Ennio Flaiano, Tullio Pinelli, Fellini, Brunello Rondi and the cast includes Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimée, Sandra Milo, Marcello Mastroianni (in Italian with English subtitles).

Jan 4 - 1:30pm Il Gattopardo (1963) Dec 8 - 1:30 pm Directed by Luchino Visconti L’oro di Napoli (1954) Based on the transition of power and social Directed by Vittorio De Sica class in Sicily at the time of the unification A 6-episode classic Italian comedy from the of Italy in 1860, Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) 1950s, “The Gold of Naples” was written by narrates the rise of the Sicilian middle class Cesare Zavattini based on a Giuseppe Marotta and the aristocracy’s struggle to maintain novel. Fidelity, betrayal, vice, and the great status and wealth. Starring Burt Lancaster, war of the sexes create an amusing story Claudia Cardinale, and Alain Delon with a line connecting all the episodes. Featuring screenplay by Suso Cecchi D’Amico, Pasquale Jan 6 - 1:30pm Sophia Loren, Silvana Mangano, and Totò this Festa Campanile, Massimo Franciosa, Enrico Giulietta degli spiriti (1965) anthology is as old as time and a must see. Medioli, and Visconti (in Italian with English Directed by Federico Fellini subtitles). The Giulietta of the title (Juliet of the Spirits) Dec 22 - 1:30 PM is a middle-aged woman who spends her L’avventura (1960) time smoking and spying on her attractive Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni new neighbor. Suspecting that her husband is In this romantic thriller two friends attempt having an affair, she wants nothing more but to fight a forbidden attraction as they search to leave him—but will she have the courage the Mediterranean for their allegedly lost to do so? Starring Federico Fellini’s real-life friend. Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, wife Giulietta Masina, Valentina Cortese, screenplay by Antonioni, Elio Bartolini, and Mario Pisu (in Italian with English subtitles). Tonino Guerra. Starring Monica Vitti, James Addams, and Lea Massari (in Italian with Jan 12 - 1:30pm English subtitles). Io, io, io…e gli altri (1966) Directed by Alessandro Blasetti Dec 28 - 1:30 PM Translated in English as “Me, Me, Me and the Divorzio all’italiana (1961) Others,” this film tells the story of Sandro, a Directed by Pietro Germi successful journalist who excels at getting to Divorzio all’italiana (Divorce Italian the core of his subjects’ souls, but neglects Style) is a based on the corky screenplay Jan 5 - 1:30pm creating a close relationship with his own by Ennio De Concini, Germi and Alfredo Ieri, oggi e domani (1964) wife Titta. It’s the death of his dearest friend Giannetti. The plot revolves around a man Directed by Vittorio DeSica that causes his epiphany to take control of who helplessly attempts to file for divorce This comedy is set in Naples. Sophia Loren his life. The cast includes Gina Lollobrigida, as he can no longer endure his insatiable plays Adelina who sells black-market Silvana Mangano, and Marcello Mastroianni wife’s outlandish nuptial demands. He cigarettes and avoids incarceration through (in Italian with English subtitles).

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as leading to further development to the Holy Roman Empire and in the criminal justice system and beyond in their peak days of sov- Dec 8 daily numerous social-behavioral stud- ereignty, but the banking family ies. would not have left such a legacy Carlo Ginzburg and calendar without the backing of its strong Anthony Grafton on women. Arnaldo Dec 3 Momigliano 6:00 pm Dec 1 Two Medici Women Dec 7 CIMA - Center for Italian Modern 10:30 am Art, 421 Broome Street, 4th Floor Seminar Series. WESTCHESTER ITALIAN Soundcity ◗ italianmodernart.org No One Helped CULTURAL CENTER, 1 Generoso 6:00 pm ● (In collaboration with the Italian 6:00 pm Pope Place, Tuckahoe, NY Italian Cultural Cultural Instititute of New York.) ◗ John D. Calandra Italian American wiccny.org Institute, 686 Historians Anthony Grafton and Institute, Queens College (CUNY), ● Focusing on Caterina’s marriage ◗ iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork Carlo Ginzburg will discuss the 25 West 43rd Street alliance that spread the Medici ● A multi-instrumentalist, expert work of Arnaldo Momigliano, one ◗ qcpages.qc.edu/calandra political wealth to French royalty in Mediterranean music and di- of the most distinguished 20th- ● An analysis of one of America’s and Anna Maria Luisa’s gift of be- rector of international ensembles, century scholars of ancient and most infamous and impacting true- stowing the entire Medici art col- Stefano Saletti is one the found- modern history. In 1939, following crime stories; the 1964 rape and lection, most of today’s contents ers of the Banda Ikona, along with the promulgation of Italy’s racial murder of Catherine “Kitty” Geno- of the Uffizi, the Medici women the vocalist Barbara Eramo and laws, Momigliano was forced to vese in Kew Gardens, Queens. Mar- created a stamp on history just as the drummer and percussion- leave his professorship in Turin. cia Gallo courteously provides the impactful as the men. The Medici ist Giovanni Lo Cascio. For this He continued his career at Oxford, case’s complex details in her novel name flourished from Florence concert they will be joined by the London, and later in Chicago. His No One Helped shedding light on the Iranian musician Pejman Tadayon study of ancient and classic his- inaccuracy of the press covering (ney, sethar, daf). The result is a toriography and the emergence her murder and lesbian relation- See the full fascinating Mediterranean folk- of national history are essential ship, and the conscious decision of calendar on world music, of mixed origins, a to the contemporary debate on the witnesses to deny the truth. To- www.i-Italy.org rich combination of rhythms and religion, politics, and the under- day, the crime is widely recognized melodies, suggestive and colorful. standing of the past.

Jan 18 - 1:30pm Jan 26 - 1:30pm La cena (1998) La strada (1954) Directed by Ettore Scola Directed by Federico Fellini La cena (The Supper) follows the simple plot Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, Giulietta Masina, of food, wine, discussion, and emotion in a Anthony Quinn, and Richard Baseheart small neighborhood restaurant. As people create the fanciful plot of this postwar come and go, cultures mix in, and attitudes Italy’s neorealist classic. After years of abuse combine, will the restaurant maintain its and abandonment, Gelsomina becomes a quaint culture, or will it undertake a new leading star in the circus; though the story eclectic vibe? Written and directed by Ettore is extremely imaginative one cannot help Scola, starring Vittorio Gassman, Stefania but cheer for the protagonist (in Italian with Sandrelli, and Fanny Ardant. English subtitles).

Jan 19 - 1:30pm Roma, cittá aperta (1945) Directed by Roberto Rossellini Jan 6 Rome, Open City offers an emotion-packed Dino Risi Retrospective depiction of Rome overrun by the Nazis A major retrospective of Dino Risi’s comedies during WWII. With constant pressure from the in collaboration with Luce Cinecittà, this Germans and the Fascists, people are pushed 15 film marathon will commence withThe to their limits as to how far they would go for claim to fame is her loveless marriage to Easy Life from 1962; to follow will be Poor, their families and their country. Starring Aldo a famous producer and her performance But Handsome (1956), The Widower (1959), Fabrizi, Anna Magnani, and Marcello Pagliaro in tasteless films. The idea of “the perfect and Scent of a Woman (1974). Dino Risi was (in Italian with English subtitles) woman” is challenged and explored in this able to put a smile on the face of postwar timeless Italian classic. Actors include Italy with his devilishly true humor. He Jan 20 - 1:30pm Suso Cecchi D’Amico, Francesco Maselli, was tremendously popular for grilling La signora senza Camelie (1953) Pier Maria Pasinetti, Lucia Bosé, Gino Cervi, politicians, priests, and other figures in his Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and Anna Carena (in Italian with English shamelessly loveable comedies (in Italian A former shop girl turns movie star. Her subtitles). with English subtitles).

www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 43 Events ➜ Calendar

of Brooklyn, Christmas cheer will be Dec 12 spread for people of all ages. Sing- ing, dancing, instrumentals, and Writers Read Series. great talent will beckon the holiday Dana Spiotta reads season and create the feeling of a from Innocents and true Italian Christmas right in New Others York City. 6:00 pm John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College (CUNY), Jan 26 25 West 43rd Street ◗ qcpages.qc.edu/calandra Great Wines of Italy: ● An interview between Joseph A Tasting Showcase Salvatore and author Dana Spiotta 5:30 - 8:30 pm will reveal the writing process and IAC Building, 555 W 18th Street inspiration behind her new book In- ◗ newyorkwineevents.com nocents and Others (Scribner, 2016). ● A great opportunity to deepen Two best friends were inspired to your understanding of the differ- pursue the movie production in- ent wines coming from the regions Liuzzo & Associates is dedicated to securing dustry, while one specializes in of Italy. This event is hosted by wine nonimmigrant working visas and status, U.S. ambitious documentaries the other critic James Suckling and leading flourishes in strong female based fine wine merchant Zachys who permanent residence, corporate compliance features.Though they disagree on have hand-picked each wine. 80 dif- programs, citizenship, naturalization, and more than just their film approach- ferent Italian wine producers will be expatriation matters for its clients. As a firm es, Jelly, a woman who uses sexless represented along with an elaborate tactics to seduce powerful men over cheese selection, sparkling wine, whose practice is exclusively focused on U.S. the phone, challenges the women to and live music. Immigration and Naturalization law, we explore themselves, and they do. Concert: Romantic successfully represent all foreign individuals Vienna and corporate entities. From artists to Dec 17 7:30 pm multinational corporate executives, Liuzzo & The Italian Academy for Associates assists its clients in determining Merry Christmas Advanced Studies in America with Strega Nona (Columbia University), 1161 the most appropriate and efficient strategy to 2:00 pm Amsterdam Avenue meet their objectives. ◗ italianacademy.columbia.edu WESTCHESTER ITALIAN Given the prominence of immigration issues CULTURAL CENTER, 1 Generoso ● From the time of Gluck in the mid- in today’s political climate, recent arrivals to Pope Place, Tuckahoe, NY eighteenth century to that of Mahler ◗ wiccny.org and Schoenberg in the early twenti- the U.S. are in need of reliable and ● Captivate a true Italian Christ- eth, Vienna was the capital of capi- comprehensive advice upon which to base with traditional pizzelle and tals as far as music was concerned. their future plans. Liuzzo & Associates is the heartwarming classic story If a composer could make it there, by Tomie dePaola, Merry Christmas he truly could make it anywhere. ideally positioned at the forefront of Strega Nona. Laura Caparrotti, from Amongst the composers of genius immigration regulatory changes, keeping pace the Kairos Italy Theater will pres- attracted to the city were Haydn, with evolving laws as well as our clients’ ent the famous Italian Christmas Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Rich- expectations. tale, transporting the audience on ard Strauss and Lehar, not to men- a beautiful journey of Christmas tion such natives as Schubert and spirit and personal discovery. Just Johann Strauss. like family, friends, and great food, this Christmas novel is a staple to an authentic Italian Christmas. Feb 14

Dec 18 Post-It: Reconsidering the 13th Annual Postmodern in “Christmas in Italy”. Italian Art and 6:00 pm Performance Since 1965 Washington Irving Campus 10 am - 6:00 pm Concert Hall, 40 Irving Place CIMA - Center for Italian Modern ◗ cristinafontanelli.com Art, 421 Broome Street, 4th Floor One Penn Plaza, Suite 2016 • New York, NY 10119 ◗ Tel: 212.736.2100 • Fax: 212.736.2159 ● Andrea Bocelli, Il Volo, and Cris- italianmodernart.org [email protected] • www.liuzzolaw.com tina Fontanelli will bring Christmas ● This exciting event is a study day to New York City at this incredible sponsored by The Italian Art Society annual tradition. Accompanied by with the goal of bringing together the great talent of the young stu- students for a scholastic discus- dents of the Little Language Studio sion based around Italian art and

44 | i-Italy NY | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Events ➜ Calendar

its relation to postmodernism. It the sensuality displayed by most of has been organized in connection the subjects. Although he is not so Feb 2 - Mar 2 with the exhibition Giorgio de Chirico ongoing well-known outside the small circle – Giulio Paolini / Giulio Paolini – Giorgio of curators, collectors and connois- Memories of La de Chirico to be held in honor of the events seurs cagnacci is a major artist, and Serenissima: 105th meeting of the College Art As- the fact that three different and Nineteenth- sociation. important venues in New York City Century Artists in Venice are hosting exhibits of three of his Italian Cultural Institute, 686 Until Jan 24 masterpieces is a cause for celebra- Park Avenue Feb 22 tion. Dying Cleopatra is the painting ◗ iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork Giorgio De Chirico on view at the Italian Cultural In- ● Curated by Marco Bertoli, this exhibit The Barese Ice Men – Giulio Paolini/ stitute. The Norton Simon Museum presents a selection of paintings by art- of New York (2015), Giulio Paolini – has loaned Cagnacci’s Repentant ists born not long after the fall of the 80 min. Carlo Giorgio De Chirico Magdalene to the Frick Collection, Venetian Republic. These artists paid Magaletti, dir. CIMA - Center for Italian Modern where is on view from October 25, it vivid tribute and revealed how the 6:00 pm Art, 421 Broome Street 2016 to January 22, 2017. Finally, memory of La Serenissima and the ties John D. Calandra Italian American ◗ italianmodernart.org visitors can admire another version to its wondrous artistic canon endured Institute, Queens College (CUNY), ● This exhibition continues at CI- of Cagnacci’s Dying Cleopatra at the throughout the century that followed 25 West 43rd Street MAexploring the relationship be- Metropolitan Museum from Decem- its demise. This event is part of a city- ◗ qcpages.qc.edu/calandra tween one of Italy’s greatest living ber 12, 2016. wide celebration of Venice’s art and ● The Barese Icemen of New York fol- artists, Giulio Paolini (b. 1940), and culutre (see aour article at page 42 for lows the story of the Italian immi- one of its most celebrated modern more information). grants from the region of Apulia masters, the Metaphysical painter Until Jan 22 who from the 1920s to the 1960s Giorgio de Chirico (1888–1978). dominated the making and delivery Paolini has often expressed his ad- Cagnacci’s Feb 3 - Feb 21 of ice in New York City. Interviews miration for de Chirico, hailing him “Repentant with former icemen and their fami- as an “illustrious model” and incor- Magdalene.” An La Serenissima: lies as well as individuals who cur- porating numerous references to Italian Baroque Music and Arts rently work in the ice business shed the artist in his own photographs, Masterpiece From The Venetian interesting light on this niche occu- sculptures, and drawings through- The Frick Collection, 1 East 70th Republic pation. Director Carlo Magaletti, a out the course of his career. Street Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Barese himself, looks at these topics ◗ frick.org Seventh Avenue ◗ in this exploration of how Apulians ● On loan from the Norton Simon carnegiehall.org/ came to dominate the ice business. Until Jan 14 Museum, Romagna native Guido ● Venice stands as a monument to the Post-screening discussion led by Cagnacci’s masterpiece called “Re- improbable paradise where city meets Mark Naison, Fordham University. Presepio pentant Magdalene” currently re- sea. The Venetian Republic—also Napoletano sides in The Frick Collection. This known as La Serenissima, or “the Most WESTCHESTER ITALIAN powerful oil painting is a true ac- Serene Republic”—reached levels of Feb 23 CULTURAL CENTER, 1 Generoso colade to the 15th century painter, maritime supremacy, democratic Pope Place, Tuckahoe, NY infamous for his scandelous eroto- progressiveness, financial prosperity, ◗ Adventures in wiccny.org cism included in his religious depic- and both cultural achievement and Italian Opera with ● Presepio Napoletano represents our tions. The image itself depicts Mary innovation, flourishing for 1,000 years Fred Plotkin: A rich cultural and spiritual traditions Magdalene tearing away from her before its fall to Napoleon in 1797. Conversation with Diana that date back to the birth of Christ. sinful ways as she sheds her jewel- Carnegie Hall salutes La Serenissima’s Damrau The Westchester Italian Cultural ry and falls to the ground, an angel dazzling artistic legacy with concerts 6:00 pm Center will have a nativity scene that behind her fights off a demon while that feature vocal masterpieces and Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò portrays a bustling village located her servants wheep in the corner. virtuoso instrumental music. (NYU), 24 West 12th Street at the base of Mount Vesuvius. The The image is rich with motion and ◗ casaitaliananyu.org landscape is handcrafted in wood, sensation, and for the first time is ● The fourth Adventure in Italian cork, and papier-mâché. It contains debuts in New York City. Jan 9-Feb 11 Opera with Fred Plotkin features figures made of terracotta, hemp and Diana Damrau, a beloved colora- wire that stand over a foot tall. It truly Gioachino Rossini’s tura soprano and one of the opera is a beautiful tradition that preserves Jan 20-Apr 27 Il Barbiere di Siviglia world’s most in-demand artists. She the Christian tradition. Metropolitan Opera, 30 excels in the music of Mozart, Verdi, Rigoletto Lincoln Center Plaza Massenet, Rossini, Bellini and Doni- Metropolitan Opera, 30 ◗ metopera.org zetti and will appear this season at Until Jan 19 Lincoln Center Plaza ◗ the Met as Juliette in a new produc- metopera.org ● Peter Mattei reprises one of his tion of Roméo et Juliette and as Elvira Guido Cagnacci’s ● A Giuseppe Verdi Opera per- most compelling portrayals, that in I Puritani. Dying Cleopatra formed in Italian since the 1800s, of the wily barber Figaro. The Met’s Italian Cultural this historically controversial show popular production of Rossini’s co- Institute, 686 Park Avenue is based around the Duke’s fool, a medic jewel—performed in the full- ◗ iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork See the full quick witted hunchback who deals length Italian version—also pairs bel ● calendar on Guido Cagnacci (1601–1663) was with curses, kidnappings, lies, life canto stars Pretty Yende and Javier an Italian painter of the Baroque and death situations, and great in- Camarena as the lovers Rosina and www.i-Italy.org period, whose works are character- ternal struggles between love and Count Almaviva, with Maurizio Be- ized by the use of chiaroscuro and by hate. (Starting at 7:30 pm). nini conducting. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy NY | 45 Dining Out Restaurants+Pizzerias+Wine BarS

●● MOZZARELLA & VINO: AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE TO ITS SIBLING RESTAURANTS A Cheese-Centric Trattoria

Naples native Gianfranco Gianfranco Sorrentino Vito is like the Sorrentino has over 30 great Italian years of restaurant wines; he is absolu- management experience tely becoming better around the globe. With his and better with age wife Paula and Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo he owns restaurant is founded in top three flourishing Italian quality fare, hospitality, and restaurants in Manhattan. outstanding service. However, His most recent the restored Howard Chandler Christy murals that adorn the undertaking, Mozzarella & walls and the unparalleled Vino, is located right across wine list are equally as enticing. the street from the MoMA Moving Il Gattopardo down the block to the historically and serves moderately The Sorrentino landmarked Rockefeller priced traditional Southern Trilogy Townhouses three years ago, Italian cuisine without the youngest sibling of the sacrificing quality. Il Gattopardo restaurant family is Mozzarella 13-15 W 54th St & Vino, located opposite the ilgattopardonyc.com MoMA. Giving the space more informality with a rustic interior, by Kayla Pantano The Leopard at des the menu reflects the simplicity Artistes and authenticity of Italian ●● As the saying suggests, good 1 W 67th St cuisine and showcases the best things come in three. Husband- theleopardnyc.com products from Campania. and-wife team, Gianfranco and Paula Bolla Sorrentino, along Mozzarella e Vino A World Traveler Settles with Partner and Executive 33 W 54th St in New York mozzarellaevino.com Chef Vito Gnazzo, own a At the age of fourteen, in order trilogy of Italian restaurants in to pay for his studies, Sorrentino Manhattan—a long way from Vito Gnazzo entered the industry as a Gianfranco’s native Naples. First, commis at a five-star hotel in they opened Il Gattopardo as Capri before advancing to the scheduled a few days after the renowned Quisitana. Quickly 9/11 tragedies, demonstrating discovering his fervor for food, the city’s collective strength he ventured to London to work and resilience. It quickly at The Dorchester. Thereafter, he grew into one of New York’s preeminent Italian restaurants widely popular for dishing out Gianfranco traditional Southern Italian personally comfort food. Confident in selects every bottle. their initial success, they He is always in embarked on an ambitious project, renovating the ground search of something floor of an early 20th century new and worthy that illustrious apartment building pairs perfectly with to house The Leopard at des Artistes. Akin to the former, the my dishes

46 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Dining Out ➜ Restaurants+Pizzerias+Wine Bars had the great fortune to work at all of our restaurants. We go the Four Seasons in Tokyo. When twice a year to Italy to taste he was 30, he moved overseas new products and to see how to the US and eventually settled our producers work,” Sorrentino in New York, where he realized proudly says. Gnazzo also owns that this was his home. He a property in Felitto, where opened his first bar on the he cultivates wild fennel and Lower East Side, and in 1990, he harvests the pollen, which he proceeded to open Sette MoMa, brings back to incorporate into where he started working with certain courses. Chef Gnazzo. Ten years later, the Each season brings a collection prevailing Il Gattopardo group of different dishes. “In the fall was born. we might add a traditional borlotti bean soup scented with From Salerno to the prosciutto, hearty slow-braised Sorrentinos beef tenders with mashed “Vito is like the great Italian potatoes, or an Italian sausage wines; he is absolutely becoming dish,” Gnazzo explains. However, better and better with age,” the classics will always be on Sorrentino raves of Chef Gnazzo. deck, like homemade meatballs Hailing from the same region— with fresh tomato sauce, ravioli, born and raised in Salerno, he and lasagna. This methodology began his culinary career in translates to sweets as well. Milan at the three-Michelin-Star On his most recent annual Antica Osteria del Ponte. He summer trip to Salerno, Gnazzo immigrated to the States in the collaborated with the acclaimed 1980s, working in Los Angeles, pastry chef Pietro Macellaro to before moving to NY, where create distinctive desserts. he became the artist of the Sorrentinos’ kitchens. All About the Wine and © Jim Taylor “I never met a chef who Cheese has such a respect for the The unassuming space boasts ingredients and his craft. Even a chic and inviting atmosphere after so many years in the US, with dark wood tables, a he is one of the very few Italian sleek enoteca style bar, and a chefs who has kept the Italian glass-encased, sun-drenched taste,” Sorrentino continues. back patio. The restaurant According to Gnazzo, the main balances modern design and ingredient derives from the old-fashioned hospitality that heart. “The food is prepared makes you feel at home. And © Paula Bolla Sorrentino © Paula with lots of passion. Without who doesn’t love wine and this fundamental ingredient, the cheese when visiting family? food, and the hospitality and “We have the best buffalo service, wouldn’t be the same.” mozzarella from both Cilento, which is sweeter, and from Affordably Priced High Caserta, which is saltier,” Quality Sorrentino acclaims. “We also Mozzarella & Vino distinguishes have an array of buffalo milk itself from its counterparts with cheeses, like caciocavallo, a more affordable, seasonally treccione, smoked mozzarella, inspired menu with a heavy butter, and so on.” emphasis on Mozzarella di Their small wine list focuses Bufala Campana and affettati on showcasing smaller family served in a fast and easy way estates and independent with the Italian approach to Italian winemakers. “With exceptional quality. our Enomatic wine dispenser Though the moderately priced made in Montepulciano we can menu is simple, the freshness store opened bottles of wines and flavors are anything but. in perfect condition for over a Everything is made on-site from month. This allows us to serve scratch and twice a week the rare and expensive wine by best of ingredients are flown the glass,” Gnazzo says. In fact, in from small artisanal farms Sorrentino personally selects in Campania. “As we all know, every bottle. “He is always in the Cucina Italiana is a cuisine search of something new and of fresh, natural ingredients, The garden at Mozzarella e Vino worthy that pairs perfectly with and we apply this concept to my dishes.” ●● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 47 Dining Out ➜ Restaurants+Pizzerias+Wine Bars

products, feel the fresh air, and see Dining Out Special the wildlife and the pure water that are all characteristics of that valley Best Italian Restaurants for Winter by Tommaso Cartia surrounded by the mountains and Lake Iseo. Winter time at Il Melograno When winter comes with its chill and its darkness, of the best Italian restaurants in the city where you is under the banner of typical country so does that ancestral need of human beings to will find a shelter from the storms of winter, a place flavor. Dishes like polenta with meat, protect themselves from the cold, to protect each to spend your holidays or your romantic moments fish, or melted cheese are the restau- other. Togetherness is felt as a natural necessity and now that Valentine’s day is also upcoming. Two words rant’s specialty along with beef, pork, nothing brings people together more than food. One came across as a common denominator described by and chicken recipes. Mouth watering of the strongest symbolic representations of sharing, all the restaurateurs we interviewed: dining in Italy is food has always brought Italian families together; its about family and hospitality. The ancient Greek art homemade pappardelle with sausage quasi-sacral liturgy—sitting together for supper and of ‘hospitalitas’ that passed through the Latin culture ragù and homemade ricotta and spin- eating together during the holidays—is a long-lasting and ultimately onto ours, is the series of rituals and ach ravioli in butter and sage sauce peculiarity of Italian culture. We scouted for some manners that make the guest feel like she is at home. are as simple and genuine and as tasty and rich in flavor as the prod- ucts they are prepared with. The wine list is 90% Italian with a quality that you rarely see in New York, but if you want to simply have a glass of wine and a snack, you should check out Il Baretto, another of Tartari’s creations, a café and wine bar just around the corner from Il Melograno.

Tavola 488 9th Avenue % (212) 273-1181 ◗ www.tavolahellskitchen.com

cuisine typical ambience rustic price $$

● Nick Accardi, a true Sicilian at heart, is a New York dining scene pioneer. He opened Cola’s in Chelsea in 1988, a real gamble at that time. After years of experience he took another leap of faith when he took Serving a traditional “timballo di maccheroni” at a princely dinner table in Luchino Visconti’s Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) over Manganaro Grosseria Italiana, starring Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon (1963). The original novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa an old-fashioned bottega that has describes the scene as follows: “The Prince was too experienced to offer Sicilian guests, in a town of the interior, a dinner begin- been famous for 127 years for its ning with soup … But rumors of the barbaric foreign usage of serving insipid liquid as first course had reached the major citizens of cured meats, cheeses, and olive oil. Donnafugata … So when three lackeys in green, gold, and powder entered, each holding a great silver dish containing a towering Nick tried to preserve Grosseria’s mound of macaroni, only four of the twenty at table avoided showing their pleased surprise … all the others showed their relief original essence from the furniture in varying ways … from the fluty and ecstatic grunts of the notary to the sharp squeak of Francesco Paolo.” to the high quality products. You can feel that the walls are drenched with and American celebrities. Originally history, like the two wood ovens that Upper from Borgo Valsugana in the region Midtown Accardi brought back from Naples, East Side of Trentino Alto-Adige area, Denis West which are the biggest in all of Amer- stayed true to his Northern Italian ica, handcrafted by the Acunto fam- Bar Italia roots. The specialty of the house is a Il Melograno ily using Vesuvius’ volcanic clay. The 768 Madison Avenue truffle that you can savor in the tan- 501 West 51st Street cuisine presents an eclectic fusion % (917) 546-6676 talizing “Tagliolini al Tartufo” dish– % (212) 757-9290 between the Italian regions of Sic- ◗ baritaliamadison.com truffle butter and fresh burgundy ◗ www.ilmelogranonyc.com ily, Naples, Apulia, and also the city black truffles. Foie gras is another of Florence with new chef Giancarlo cuisine typical cuisine traditional ambience elegant luxury delicatessen alongside with ambience rustic Dellanzo. Sicilian arancini and Nick’s price $$$ liver. “Fegato alla Veneziana,” calves’ price $$ grandmother’s recipe for caponata liver and onions served with grilled with a hint of chocolate from the 18th ● Former Cipriani Chef Denis Fran- polenta, is a dish that can warm up ● At chef Alberto Tartari’s home in century are exceptional dishes, along ceschini and General Manager Has- the most frigid winter temperature Northern Italy, near Valle Camonica, with the handmade Sicilian pane ne- san El Garrahy teamed up with Jean with its cozy sensation. You also cer- grows a strongly rooted Melograno ro - black bread - that Accardi’s father Denoyer and Regis Marinier of Or- tainly don’t want to miss the seafood (pomegranate tree) that was planted used to bake with tumminia, an an- say / LaGoule restaurant group to side of the menu. Denis offers you by his grandfather when Alberto was cient wheat flour grown in the region create this chic and elegant classic other exceptional dishes like “Sep- born. Also strongly rooted in that area of their hometown Castelvetrano. For Italian restaurant on the glamor- pie al Nero,” squids in their own ink of Italy is Tartari’s cuisine style that the winter and the holidays you can ous Madison Avenue. The place has sauce, and the Venetian “Baccalà you can experience at Il Melograno. savor recipes based on pumpkin, become very popular among Italian Mantecato,” creamed dried cod. You can taste the genuine healthy chestnuts, wild game, rabbit, and

48 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Dining Out ➜ Restaurants+Pizzerias+Wine Bars

wild boar meatballs. For Christmas, ● What more can you ask for than a alla Barese”–roasted rabbit of Bari, dinner this year. The carriage house the traditional Seven Fishes with eel, traditional Italian restaurant with a which has limited availability because is a rustic yet elegant space where shrimp, and squids. “mamma” who makes pasta with her it takes 60 minutes to cook. you can have cooking class parties in hands? Maybe a refined all-Italian the kitchen and dinner in the library winery from which you can select for a special occasion. “Aperitivo di Midtown the perfect bottle to accompany your West Village Palma” is another fun and vibrant East pasta with? No problem, you’ll both Palma space in addition to the restaurant, find them at I Trulli, the culinary New 28 Cornelia Street where you can taste a fresh and elec- Osteria Laguna York landmark named after i trulli–the %(212) 691-2223 trifying aperitif, Italian style. With a 209 East 42nd Street traditional Apulian dry stone huts ◗www.palmanyc.com true ethnic kitchen, organic since its % (212) 557-0001 with conical roofs. Inspired by the inception, the cuisine is mostly from ◗ www.osterialagunanyc.com cuisine traditional gastronomy of that Southern part of the south of Italy and therefore, sea- ambience romantic cuisine traditional Italy, Nicola Marzovilla and his mother price $$ food based: fritto misto, linguine with ambience rustic Dora moved from Apulia in 1970 and mussels, focaccia, and special dishes price $$ opened the restaurant in 1994. Rustic ● “This place chose us. It was like like “Orecchiette alla Checca,” home- and family-style in a yet elegant atmo- when destiny unfolds in front of you. made orecchiette with heirloom to- ● Sail with an imaginary gondola and sphere, the Apulian delicatessens are We create a real connection with matoes, buffalo mozzarella, fresh stop by Osteria Laguna here in NYC basil, and extra virgin olive oil. For to take in all the marvelous enchant- the winter holidays Palma’s garden ment of Venice’s famed La Serenissima transforms into a magical winter with its spicy and chic flare. Serving wonderland, where you can truly feel traditional Venetian cuisine with a the spirit of Christmas. Also available melting pot of other regional Italian are a Thanksgiving menu, the tradi- influences, the Osteria is the perfect tional Seven Fishes for Christmas place to celebrate the holidays or to Eve, and a New Year’s menu à la carte. feel comfy during the wintertime with its family-style holiday menus Dante crafted to make you feel exactly as 79-81 MacDougal Street you would at home surrounded by %(212) 982-5275 ◗ your dearest relatives and friends or www.dante-nyc.com by your special Valentine. The Christ- cuisine typical mas menu is varied; you can start ambience stylish with a soft white polenta with fresh price $$ porcini mushrooms and winter black truffles, continue with a ‘lobster carn- ● Dante is an extremely fitting name aroli risotto with fresh fava beans and considering the cafe’s artistic atmo- oven roasted grape tomatoes. The sphere. It was very popular in 1915 main course offers you an “Orata al among the hip Bohemian crowd of Forno,” imported sea bream, cooked the Village. The old “South Village” in a brick oven, tossed with almond was once a primarily Italian neigh- crust, fingerling potatoes, organic borhood. Personalities like writers baby zucchini, and grape tomatoes Ernest Hemingway and Anaïs Nin, in a lemon caper sauce. “La famosa photographer Robert Maplethorpe, torta Herry’s,” Venetian vanilla me- and Patti Smith graced the place with ringue cake, is an exquisite delicacy their presence making it legendary. to end the night on a sweet note. Kick In 1971, the Flotta family bought the off the New Year with lobster bisque, place, which became famous among Lasagna Napoletana is a typical dish celery root and Vin Cotto soup, or celebrities, like Al Pacino, Whoopi served traditionally in the Carnival Vialone Nano risotto (typical from Goldberg, and Bob Dylan. Though the period in February Verona) with fresh porcini, winter restaurant was recently bought by a black truffles, and Parmigiano cheese. New York based Australian family, it Traditional Venetian Panettone with the signature dishes of the restaurant people. It’s more than just dining; didn’t lose its Italian footprint at all. mascarpone cream and chocolate from the classic “Panelle,” chickpea we want to create memories. Our The café represents a perfect fusion sauce will make the evening even fritters, goat cheese and caponata, to guests are like family; you feel that between traditional Italian flavors more festive. Dora’s Sunday meatballs. The pastas cozy feeling of when you are invited and the preferences of the American are mind-blowing; try “Orecchiette in to a friend’s house for dinner.” The palate. Fanciful appetizers include rabbit ragù” or Dora’s classic lasagna. secret of this enchanting villetta is soppressata with house pickles and Flatiron The wood-burning oven adds to the all in these words and in the heart of savory crackers; and San Daniele District restaurant’s cozy atmosphere. Ideal Palma, the Italian-American owner with black figs, arugula, and bal- dishes for wintertime are the wood- of the restaurant whose family has samic dressing. Flavorful pastas are I Trulli grilled whole fish and the “Coniglio its origins in Apulia. Palma opened pappardelle with wild boar ragu, red 122 East 27th Street her restaurant with her French hus- wine, tomato, parmigiano; and orrec- % (212) 481-7372 band Pierre. Cupid lives in the ro- chiette with pesto, sweet corn, pickled ◗ www.itrulli.com Download our mantic garden where you can dine garlic scapes, and ricotta salata. Solid cuisine traditional iPhone app surrounded by plants and flowers in second courses consist of roasted ambience sophisticated a blossoming state of grace.it’s abso- cod cioppino with spicy chorizo, ma- price $$$ lutely perfect for your Valentine’s day nila clams, prawns; and roasted free www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 49 Dining Out ➜ Restaurants+Pizzerias+Wine Bars

range half chicken with lemon, thyme, Jason Brunetti (aka Sonny), decided to cipollini onions, Italian sausage, and and elegant and hip space that in garlic and roasted squash panzanella. go into business together. They cre- green beans. 2001, thanks to Executive Chef Mi- Their aperitivo and “Negroni sessions” ated their proprietary dough recipe chele Baldacci, who crafted a typical are unique with a variety of Negroni for pizza, yielding a crisp, delicate and organic menu, became one of the drinks—the traditional Italian cocktail outer crust, aromatic with a corni- Queens city’s best places for original Tuscan first mixed in Florence by Count Ca- cione puff and a tender chewy inside. SoleLuna food. Now run by Baldacci, somme- millo Negroni when he asked to add The cuisine offers a perfect balance 40-01 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside lier Rocco Spagnardi, and General gin to his “Americano” rather than between a classic pizzeria and a good % (929) 296-3942 Manager Michael Schall, the locanda soda water. Neapolitan restaurant with its signa- ◗ www.solelunanyc.com stays true to her Florentine flare. It is ture dishes and recipes. The winter a place to go to escape the winter chill cuisine traditional seasonal special menu features a with a warm “Ribollita,” traditional Piccolo Angolo ambience friendly 621 Hudson Street “hen and boar,” burrata cream, hen of price $$ Tuscan bread soup with kale, squash, % (212) 229-9177 the woods mushroom, wild boar sau- cannellini beans and carrots, or Sage ◗ www.piccoloangolo.com sage, garlic, and arugula with a side of ● From the foggy atmosphere of the pappardelle al cinghiale,” wild boar cuisine typical Calabrian pepper sauce and the “Mad decadent and hip winter in Milan to braised with juniper berries and bay ambience cozy apple”–eggplant, Mt Vesuvius toma- the sun-drenched Apulian summer leaves. The Locanda is famous for price $$ toes, imported scamorza, pecorino, gently aired by the sea breeze, Sole- its “Wine dinners” with a menu that and organic basil. The genius of Jason Luna has a vibrant ambience enriched focuses on seasonal Italian culinary ● A popular Italian proverb says: Brunetti also came out with the fes- by different personalities and gastro- traditions and a five-course meal de- nella botte piccola c’è il vino buono (‘the tive Thanksgiving pizza made of goat nomic suggestions. “We love people. signed by chef Baldacci to pair with small barrel preserves the best wine’ cheese, roasted spiced pumpkin, or- We love food. We love our neighbor- five different wines from a specific or ‘good things come in small pack- ganic turkey sausage (turkey leg, duck hood,” states Valerio, the Milanese producer or region. Definitely one of ages’), and that’s exactly the case confit skin, Grand Marnier, white restaurateur that opened the place the best dinner plan for your Valen- of this lovely, cute Italian boutique wine, and a proprietary mixture of after years of work and friendship tine’s day! The “Wine Dinner” menu in the Village, and not only for its fresh herbs and spices that evokes with Gina and Francesca, two other for January 2017 is in the works. refined wine selection! A best kept the flavor of the turkey stuffing), fresh restaurateurs from Cisternino, a secret among an affectionate follow- sage, and Brussels sprouts. The pizza small village in Apulia. From “lunar” ing, Piccolo Angolo established itself is then finished with an housemade Milan you can taste chef Valerio’s Staten Island thanks to an enthusiastic word of compote of cranberry, apple, and special “Fagottini alla Valerio”–fresh The Stone House at Clove mouth. Run by the Migliorini family pearl onion. The special kids’ menu pasta ravioli style filled with pear Lakes since 1992, this little corner of Italy makes the pizzeria an even more fun and cheese in a butter and rosemary 1150 Clove Road serves pure authentic Italian food and cozy environment for families. sauce. Another strong pasta dish % (718) 442-3600 and is specifically popular for its large is “Gnocchi alla boscaiola”–potato ◗ www.thestonehousesi.com portions. The star dish is unquestion- dumpling with ham, mushrooms, and cuisine typical ably “Linguine con polpette”–linguine The Bronx green peas in a creamy sauce. “Solar” ambience elegant with meatballs. The meatballs are Enzo’s Restaurant Apulia presents you “le Pucce”–the price $$$ 100% beef and a classic family rec- 1998 Williamsbridge Rd. typical homemade flatbread stuffed ipe. Lobster cannelloni stuffed with % (718) 409-3828 with different ingredients: “Puccia Tri- ● A historical stone building on fresh lobster covered in vodka sauce ◗ www.enzosbronxrestaurant.com colore,” tomato, mozzarella, and basil, Staten Island emerged in the fai- and an on-the-bone veal parmigiana or “Puccia Valtellina,” cured beef, aru- rytale atmosphere of Clove Lakes, cuisine traditional with fresh mozzarella always get rave gula and cream cheese. Fresh fish and and it’s ready to embrace every kind ambience rustic reviews from the guests. And you al- price $$ meat are available all day, along with of important occasion you want to ways want to save room for the giant, the breakfast and brunch menus. On celebrate this winter, from weddings chocolate-lined cannoli with tanger- ● The Bronx is known for being one Monday from 5pm onward enjoy an to elegant and romantic Valentine’s ine-tinged ricotta. of the most typical Italian neighbor- oyster night! Day dinners for two, or family-style hoods in all of New York, and it brings brunches on Sunday. Chef/Owner Pizzetteria Brunetti you back to the true spirit of a small Peter Brotos grew up in a primarily 626 Hudson Street Italian village where you know every- Brooklyn Italian neighborhood on SI, where %(212) 255-5699 body and everybody’s family, from the he learned not only all the secrets of ◗ Clinton Hill www.pizzetteriabrunetti.com baker to the butcher, the grocer, and of Italian gastronomy but also the Ital- cuisine traditional course the restaurants owners. Enzo Locanda Vini e Olii ian art of hospitality. Fantastic food ambience rustic created a family style atmosphere, 129 Gates Avenue brings people together, this simple price $$ “It’s not just good food… it’s good % (718) 622-9202 but important lesson stayed with ◗ www.locandany.com company,” is the restaurant’s slogan. Peter, and that is how he approaches ● Pizzetteria Brunetti is an authen- It truly is a place to go to feel at home cuisine traditional his luxury service at the restaurant. tic Neapolitan pizzeria and restau- with the possibility of booking special ambience rustic With an ever changing family-style price $$$ rant with locations in both the West private parties. Enzo’s offers fresh in- menu, The Stone House is great for Village and Westhampton Beach, gredients for a comprehensive menu catering the holidays. A Christmas opened by Michael and Jason Bru- that showcases all the nuances of ● Catherine and Francois Louy have Eve/Christmas Day sit down dinner netti along with Anthony Abenante. Italian cuisine. For cold winter tem- been soldiered in the food industry in at a fixed price is available upon res- Brunetti is popular for its oven that peratures the simple but tasty Pasta e New York for years; she was a man- ervation. Special dishes include Sea- was custom-built on-site, brick by Fagioli, bean and tubettini soup, is an ager at the famous Balthazar, and he food Fra Diavolo–linguine, shrimps, brick, by the famous oven builder Italian must. Also available is a vast was the GM of Cipriani before taking clams, mussels, lobster tail, spicy Stefano Ferrara. The history of the selection of typical pasta dishes and over the historical Clinton Hill apoth- tomato broth, and basil oil–and the restaurant tells the story of a reunion. second courses, such as traditional ecary that had been closed for 103 Lamb Shank–red wine braised with After 18 years apart, Michael Brunetti parmigiana and the special “Veal alla years. They restored and renovated whipped potato and roasted root (aka Pop) and his son, chief pizzaiolo Enzo”–sautéed veal scaloppini with the original wood interior, creating vegetables.

50 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Dining Out ➜ Restaurants+Pizzerias+Wine Bars

●● italian dining gems NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD A Cozy, Charming Italian Corner Full of Surprises

This delicious restaurant Al Vicoletto close to Union Square 9 E 17th Street % (212) 620-6166 opened approximately one ◗ www.alvicolettonyc.com year ago, and it brings the charm of narrow Italian “Calamari alla griglia con finocchio alleyways to ever-chaotic fritto” (grilled calamari with fried fennel) and “Purea di favetta con New York City. The seppie grigliate e quinoa rosso” restaurant continues to (mashed favetta, grilled cuttlefish, amaze its clients with an and red quinoa). The ingredients are of high quality; the fish and ever changing and exciting the meat are always extremely calendar of surprising fresh from the market. events, a new talented chef, The evening aperitivo from 4 to 8 has developed a bit of a cult a revamped menu and much following. Italian style cocktails, more... stay tuned! delicious spritzers, and high quality dishes are finally available by Tommaso Cartia here in the city. In addition to its cocktails, Al Vicoletto is also ●● A perfect balance between known for its rare Italian wines a refined atmosphere—as you that are difficult to find elsewhere would expect from an Italian in New York. vicoletto where you find your favorite bar and bottega—and Great surprises a stylish restaurant vibe that The staff is excited to present all harmonizes with the modern Chef Alessandro Pendinelli serves one of his dishes through the original of the events and the initiatives era. This multifaceted reality kitchen window at Al Vicoletto. Photos by Simone Sperolari that the restaurant has recently is constantly changing; it’s no created to surprise its clientele longer just a market of extremely in the coming months. Sunday high quality products or a place brunch, for example, is becoming for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. extremely popular. Brunch, cocktails, live music, Singer Valentina Marino, known sampling courses, catering, and as the “musical gypsy of New now a brand-new chef and a York,” will conduct a music renovated menu combined to brunch on sundays where she make dining at Al Vicoletto an will also leave the stage to her even more diverse, fanciful, and students, the next generation of charming experience. jazz musicians. On Fridays, you can find the A new talented chef perfect pairing of food and wine Al Vicoletto recently gained a at a fixed price; wine can be had new great artisan in Pugliese either by the glass or by the bottle. chef Alessandro Pendinelli who Twice a month, some of the best moved to the Big Apple three into AICNY (Associazione Italiana menu proposed by Alessandro Italian sommeliers in the city years ago with an already well- Chef di New York), and now he include dishes like “Orecchiette will lecture the audience on the established culinary career. arrived at Al Vicoletto, bringing all broccoli, cime di rape ed acciughe” characteristics of their own wines, He was previously a sous-chef at of the rich flavors of the Pugliese (orecchiette with broccoli, which they will offer at a special Uva, a prestigious restaurant on tradition along with some new turnip greens, and anchovies), price. the Upper East Side, and after that, flair and originality. “Bavette con scampi, arancia, Last but not least, a cute initiative he worked at another important succo d’arancia e granchio reale” for the holiday season: the N.Y.C. restaurant, Per Lei. Then A new menu (Bavette with scampi, oranges, restaurant will sell the traditional the chef from Molfetta entered Some highlights of the new orange juice, and blue crabs), artisanal panettone. ●● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 51

Dining In taking italy to your family table

●● MEET THE LEGENDARY FRESH PASTA CRAFTSMAN WHO IS CONQUERING AMERICA Nonno Rana’s Story: Family, Intuitions and Little Secrets

Around the late 1950s most women started to go out to work; they didn’t have much time to cook. So I created a fresh pasta poduct that could be made quickly but that maintained the quality of a homemade product. Nonno Rana on i-Italy | TV It became a great Scan the QR code to watch the video or go to YouTube.com/iitaly success.

In conversation with the households. He’s the image of boys,” Giovanni recalls, “We a homemade product. It was founder of Pastificio Rana, the grandfather you always used to make great bread. But by much appreciated; it became wished for. We met with him at the time I turned 22, I knew that a great success.” And this is where family tradition his restaurant in New York City’s I had to do something else. My how his adventure began. It meets innovation. Chelsea Market. Upon speaking mom Teresa always said, ‘Why was the 1960s, and a fresh to him, we were transported change careers? You already pasta industry was a novelty. back in time to Italy. We realized learned to make bread. You’re It started in Italy and then it we were not only speaking with ready to get yourself your own expanded. by Letizia Airos the businessman, but also with oven!’ But I knew I needed a But there was one fundamental a bright, cheerful grandfather change, and I would tell her, ‘I’m ingredient in his success, a ●● For Italians, Giovanni Rana figure. going to make fresh pasta and typical Italian ingredient—a is not just an entrepreneur, the tortellini!’” close family. “First, my wife founder of Pastificio Rana, and Need for a change helped me, and we were pretty a world leader in the market Giovanni Rana is man who is A great intuition and a successful. Afterwards, my for fresh pasta. For many proud of his origins in Cologna close family son, who had just finished generations, especially for Veneta, in the lower portion of Around the late 1950s, Giovanni his studies, took charge of the children, he represents so much the Province of Verona. After he realized that Italy’s lifestyle was business. With his help, we more. He’s a popular television lost his father Gaetano when he undergoing tremendous change. were able to grow our business personality who, through his was 11, Giovanni continued to “Most women started to go out abroad, especially in America. advertisements that were go to school for a couple of years to work and they didn’t have It’s all thanks to him.” particularly effective in their before starting practice in his much time to cook,” he tells Here is how the story went. spontaneity, was able to not older brothers’ bakery, where he us. “So I created a fresh pasta Twenty years after they started, only promote his products but learned how to make bread. that could be made quickly but Giovanni and his wife were also to bring them into Italian “I was the youngest of three that maintained the quality of leading their market. “We had a www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 53 Dining In ➜ Taking Italy to your family table beautiful little factory, and there because not everybody has were always more and more the same taste. Inside this studies saying that Italians were package…” says Giovanni holding eating fresh pasta. All of the big- a package of tortellini Rana in named business owners, starting his hand, “there is our best work, with Pietro Barilla, came to visit our passion. You need to be a my business to see if I intended gourmand to appreciate this. My to sell it. Many multinational 100kg are 100kg of great quality.” corporations came to me, and I One wonders how important always told them, ‘I’m absolutely it is, for a leader of the food never selling my business.’ My industry, to eat well himeself. accountant used to say, ‘You’re And here is what Nonno Rana insane! You could make so much has to say: “I always say that I money…’” eat with pleasure. I know how Giovanni was right once again, to eat and to determine foods of for in those years his son high quality, and I want it to be Gianluca, who was just finishing this way. It’s a great joy because school, realized he had a great food, like I said before, is joy. But passion for his father’s work. above all the consumer needs And he would turn out to be his to be respected, in America like family’s ace in the hole. “We held in Italy. They need to know and on to the business, and it was a understand what they’re eating, great success!” and we are the ones responsible Look, food is joy; it’s happiness. for explaining it to them.” Making his own But when testing a new type of commercials Therefore, a food commercial needs pasta, who tastes it first? And Another peculiar intuition of who decides? Giovanni’s was to create his to be happy “I have a qualified staff that own advertising campaign and does it before the launch, young to star in it. “I wanted to make for us because she comes from a actor, and I say that she’s a great experts. Next they have the old my own commercials. I didn’t family of hoteliers. She already director.” boss taste it: ‘let’s see what he necessarily want to be an actor,” had experience in catering, says,’ and then I give my verdict.” the businessman says with a which was extremely helpful Some other little secrets In other words, Giovanni is smile, “But I firmly believed in with the launch of our store here But let’s return to the Rana always right? Not necessarily, he my product, so I was the one who in New York.” products that are distributed admits. “Sometimes I have my had to promote it. I went on TV “But she also became your all over the United States and doubts about certain products, myself, and I said, ‘Ladies and art director?” we ask. “Yes, the world. “Today we make but they end up working out fine. gentlemen look! Eat and relax Antonella has great sensibility. 180 different types of fillings, I always said that my taste is not because I am the one responsible She understands me because something for everyone: the representative of everyone’s.” for this product!’” And so a new I’m not an actor; she knows my Americans, the Spanish, the character was born, one who limits and knows what I am English, etc… It’s important Discovering (and was to be beloved by generations capable of… She says I’m a great to understand your consumer conquering) America of TV viewers—Nonno Rana, What does America represent or Grandpa Rana—a charming for Grandpa Rana? “Well, in grandfather known for his America I discovered a truly new sweetness and his attention to world. I never thought I would his grandchildren. have this kind of success here. If you watch some of his first My son Gianluca always said, ads, as well as the more recent ‘Look, in America they don’t ones, you’ll see that Govanni have products like ours.’ Almost had another stroke of genius: everyone else was skeptical, the use of irony. “Look, food is ‘Americans eat hamburgers,’ they joy; it’s happiness. Therefore, said. But a few years later we a food commercial needs to be were selling like crazy!” happy. Here, in the United States, So your ultimate secret is—good I found a great director in my and genuine, yet fast to prepare? daughter-in-law Antonella. She “Abslolutely! At last, Italian food is a master of irony. She likes can be eaten quickly every day, liveliness, so we made very ironic without spending too much time commercials.” in the kitchen. We have a product Family again. Let’s talk that cooks in a few minutes. about Antonella, who is the Once upon a time, ravioli used to cornerstone of their success in take 20 minutes to cook; today New York. they can be ready in 2-3 minutes. “Antonella – Gianluca’s wife – We make a very light dough. became part of the Rana family What’s good for the Italians is 14 years ago, and she is a blessing good for the Americans!” ●●

54 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Dining In ➜ Taking Italy to your family table

●● DISCOVERING AN ITALIAN HIDDEN TRASURE: SPARKLING MINERAL WATER A Sip of Ancient Rome

Mineral water also softens the vegetables so they need less time to cook and retain more of their natural nutrients.

● Add sparkling mineral water instead of water or other liquids The Galvanina Springs near of clay dating back to the water was only for the very in cake recipes or cake mixes. the town of Rimini, in the Pliocene Era in its trip from the wealthy, costing more than even The sparkling water makes Apennine to Rimini where it wine,” notes Galvanina CEO Rino it rise nicely and results in a Emilia-Romagna region, is bubbles out of the spring ready Mini. fluffier texture. It’s perfect for one of Italy’s oldest springs. to be bottled. Even today, when sparkling batter too, making anything you Its healthful mineral water To discover for myself about mineral water is much more fry crunchier and lighter. ●● these springs that have been affordable, not all waters are has been renowned since written about for centuries the same. Some (including ancient Roman times. I recently visited Galvanina, Galvanina itself) are naturally the company that first began effervescent, while others use bottling this sparkling water in carbon dioxide to create bubbles. by Francine Segan 1901. There are many ways to enjoy A long underground tunnel, with natural spring water: ●● The water flowing from this glass lined observation windows, famed spring started miles away was built so visitors could ● Add sliced fruit, veggies or as snow and rain falling on part of the spectacular herbs for do-it-yourself natural Apennine Mountains collecting natural filtrations system the thirst quencher. (PHOTO 11- in pools underground. The water spring water travels. During glasses with fruit) then slowly passes through excavations to create the sandstone and clay, becoming viewing tunnel and repair the ● Use it to brew espresso or naturally carbonated and ancient Roman fountain, they coffee. Not only will you get a enriched with a delicate balance discovered a remarkable number tastier hot beverage, but it will of minerals. It travels more of archeological finds including keep your coffee maker cleaner than two years, an amazing 30 a marble bust dating to the time and prevent it from building months, through this natural of Caesar Augustus (1st century unpleasant residue. ecological filter composed of BC), ancient Roman amphora tightly packed quartz sand and terracotta water pies. ● Steam vegetables in sparkling protected by gigantic banks “In the past bottled mineral water to keep their bright color.

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●● ROBERTO SCARCELLA PERINO, COMPOSER AND CHEF Meet a Renaissance Man Photo by Alex Fiszbein Alex by Photo

Sicilian-born New Yorker in New York City, to be torn north to study at the fresh pasta. “That was the between them. “I have two Conservatory Giovanni Battista moment my creativity took two Roberto Scarcella Perino has passions in my life: good music Martini and at the University different paths,” Perino recalls. written music for theater, and good Italian cuisine,” of Bologna. Afterwards, he Upon this discovery, though choir, chamber ensemble, Perino shares. entered the workforce as a still pursuing a career in music, and children’s composer, commissioned he immediately immersed The art of music... by the Fondazione Arturo himself into cooking. He threw productions—but his Since he was a child, he knew Toscanini in Parma, later parties, made meals for his artistic talents extend to the music was going to be a big having operas performed in friends, and asked his parents kitchen as well part of his life. His nonno was Pisa (A Caval Donato, 1999), about recipes. However, in a Renaissance man: a surgeon Busseto (Merli Verdi e Cucù, terms of recipes, he never who could speak Latin and 2001), and Torino (Blackout, follows them the “right way.” Greek, played the violin, and 2008). Repeatedly touched by by Kayla Pantano sung as a tenor. Moreover, his music, Perino feels that his aunt was a soprano, who hearing the sounds of his own ●● From folk to classical, frequently sang with Franco creations are often the best music has always played Corelli—an Italian opera singer moments of his life. “Whenever an important role in Italy, celebrated universally for I listen to the performer or inventing instruments such his powerhouse voice—and an orchestra play my music, I as the piano and violin. But another aunt also played the realize that what was once just of course, the Italian culture piano very well. Surrounded an idea became something that is also one steeped heavily in by the trade, he followed in I can really touch, that I can food, popular for its regional his loved ones’ footsteps and really enjoy.” diversity and abundance started taking piano lessons at of different tastes. Sicily, in seven years old, subsequently ... and the art of food particular, is a cross-section of writing music. “I wanted to Similar to the craft of song, both of these arts, home to the write music for different he was also exposed to the country’s largest opera house, reasons. For one, I needed to culinary arts at a young age, as Teatro Massimo, and often create, the other because I his father was fond of hosting nicknamed “God’s Kitchen” for didn’t like to study so much his big family and cooking their variety of noted cuisines or to practice scales. To me, for them. During his time in and wines. So it’s only natural writing music was like drawing Emilia-Romagna, which he for Messina-born Roberto for kids.” considers the capital of food, Scarcella Perino, who now lives At the age of 20, he moved he first learned how to cook

56 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Dining In ➜ Taking Italy to your family table

This ensures variation so that no two ever dishes are ever the same. Akin to listening to his music, Perino is gratified by the process of preparing food because when it’s finally ready he feels a sense of accomplishment.

Moving to America In 2001, he moved to New York, where he presented himself as a composer and, to his surprise, Roberto Scarcella on i-Italy | TV was very well received. He Scan the QR code to watch the video or go to YouTube.com/iitaly found a job at New York University and is now a Senior Language Lecturer of Italian. It was here where he premiered his first ballet, Colapesce (2004), at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò. Perino went on to write two more ballets, Constellations (2005) and Basket-Dance (2007). Impressively, the latter was performed both in Pisa and at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Quite the Renaissance man himself, he continues to write music, presenting two world beautiful moment and very premieres this last spring at Composing a dish is like putting nostalgic at the same time.” Casa Italiana, Piano Sonata No. 2 together different elements of the His most popular dish that he and String Quartet No. 1. He also likes to cook and that others finds the time to cater private taste, like the sour of the lemon or the always request is Parmigiana di parties and to teach others how sweet of the honey. All of the elements are Melanzane (Eggplant Parmesan). to cook. “When I prepare dinner for different from each other but when my friends, I offer a part of Catering New York combined they make something unique. Italy to them, especially a part “It is beautiful to share all of Sicily, of my culture, of my of my knowledge about The same thing happens when I write my family, my family’s recipes. It’s Italian cuisine,” he says. music. a beautiful way to share what I He is proud of his Sicilian am,” he says. This happens also roots and always utilizes with music. “I write my music the region’s ingredients, in a small room with just the like eggplant, almonds, and piano. Then in a big hall, I “lots of tomatoes, of course.” present all of my music, which Although he’s removed is actually my story translated from his motherland’s with notes.” Mediterranean climate, he “Composing a dish is like Photo by Lucy Beni Lucy by Photo takes advantage of places putting together different like the Union Square and elements of the taste, like Chelsea markets to buy the the sour of the lemon or the freshest ingredients. While, for sweet of the honey. All of the example, he can’t find Sicilian elements are different from eggplant, he adapts to the each other but when combined American-grown alternative. they make something unique. Fortunately, he loves the result The same thing happens “because it’s like tasting Sicily when I write my music. When from New York.” Another you do an orchestration you aspect he misses from home have the string, the clarinet, is collecting almonds from and the percussions together. the beautiful mandorlo in fiore You invent and you create (almond trees). This makes a new sound that is unique tasting his semifreddo alle just for the precise moment. mandorle (almond parfait) even Just as you need time to enjoy sweeter because it reminds beautiful music, you need time him of his childhood. “It’s a to taste a fantastic dish.” ●●

www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 57 Dining In ➜ Taking Italy to your family table

●● FROM AMERICA TO NORTHERN ITALY AND BACK

Polenta can be served as a Digging into (the side dish or in place of bread. It can also be served as a main History of) Polenta course, in which case it is dressed with thick sauces, game, sausage, milk and codfish, or fried and sliced, or rolled into gnocchi.

heavy sauces and condiments.

Types of Cornmeal for Polenta There are several kinds of flours with a wide variety of grain-sizes. What kind you use significantly affects the final dish. Cornmeal is most often associated with polenta but can also be used for preparing pies, crepes, pasta and sweets. The various kinds are as follows:

BRAMATA is the classic rustic corn flour. It is hard and coarsely ground. Ideal for polenta. You can tell Bramata apart simply by running your fingers over it. It is the most common type of polenta. Its characteristic yellow color comes from carotenoids.

Deep roots for a product that consistent, it is cut into slices. cheap. That explains why it was FIORETTO, though finer than Christopher Columbus consumed by the lowest classes, Bramata, is also used for making The Native Americans i.e., by farmers and peasants. polenta. It is smoother and brought over from Europe to Polenta as we know it dates less coarse than the latter, America. Indigenous peoples all the way back to the age of A “Poor Man’s Dish” in and therefore better suited for first prepared it using Columbus, when the European Northern Italy making side dishes. explorer returned from America Polenta can be found cornmeal and water. bearing corn, or maize, today throughout Lombardy, Veneto FUMETTO is the finest widely used for purposes other and Friuli, where it is served confectionary corn flour than nutrition. Prior to that, as a side dish or in place of produced with innovative the plant was unknown in bread. It can also be served milling machinery. Because it is by Dino Borri Europe. Columbus informed as a main course, in which easy to knead, it is used to make Europeans that the Native case it is dressed with thick pasta, cake, cookies and other ●● Polenta is a foodstuff Americans made the dish by sauces, game, sausage, milk traditional products. with rustic origins. It is made adding water to cornmeal and and codfish, or fried and sliced, by mixing cornmeal (which serving it with various sauces, or rolled into gnocchi. Polenta INTEGRALE is cornmeal that explains why polenta is often cheeses and fresh meat. Over shouldn’t be seen as deadly for has not been sifted but simply called yellow flour) with water time Europeans discovered dieting: you can eat your fill underwent an initial milling. and salt in a large pot called a that the plant was easy to grow, without consuming too many Integrale contains all of the paiolo in Italian or on a cutting especially in Southern Italy. calories. The real problem is outer parts of the grain, i.e., the board where, if it is sufficiently Furthermore, cultivating it was that it is often served with bran. ●●

58 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Dining In ➜ Taking Italy to your family table

Where to find THEM Types of Polenta Eataly White pearl corn flour traditionally produced in Polesine and the areas surrounding Padua, WHITE 200 5th Avenue Treviso and inland Veneto ◗ www.eatalny.com

YELLOW Classic yellow corn flour

WHOLE WHEAT An excellent brand is Storo traditionally made in Trentino.

i alo s BUCKWHEAT Buckwheat rather than flour traditionally produced in the upper Val Tanaro D P ’ 200 Grand St. (at Mott St.) ◗ www.dipaloselects.com TARAGNA Made with a mix of buckwheat and yellow flour

Used for making instant polenta, ready in 3-5 minutes. Flour for instant polenta is steamed be- PRECOOKED forehand. Add water and the polenta cooks in no time. The type of flour used is bramanta flour Citarella 2135 Broadway 1313 Third Avenue 424 Ave of the Americas ◗ www.citarella.com How to Prepare

Polenta with Mushrooms by Rosanna Di Michele Agata & Valentina SERVES 4 PEOPLE 1505 First Avenue 64 University Place 3 cups Polenta n 4 cups Fresh mushrooms (various) n ◗www.agatavalentina.com 4 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil n ¼ cup Shaved

parmigiano reggiano n 3 cloves Garlic n 3 sprigs

n n Parsley Salt to taste Directions ● Wash mushrooms and cook for a few minutes with oil and garlic. Add a little chopped parsley for flavor● Meanwhile bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add salt and Morton Williams a touch of oil before pouring the flour in 908 2nd Avenue ● Cook on low heat for approximately 30 311 East 23rd Street minutes. (If using precooked flour, follow the 1565 1st Avenue cooking instructions on the package, usually ◗www.mortonwilliams.com

5 minutes) ● Spread the polenta on a wood

cutting board and top it with mushrooms, parsley and cheese ● After a few minutes, add the tomatoes and cook for another 10 minutes ● Serve immediately ● Dig in!!

Rosanna just joined Jerry’sGourmet ● CATERING i Italy| 410 South Dean Street Englewood, NJ and she’s ready to come and cook at your home! ◗www.jerryshomemade.com

cooking with

www.cookingwithrosanna.com

www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 59 Dining In ➜ Taking Italy to your family table

A favorite dish...... Paired with the right wine by Michele Scicolone by Charles Scicolone Sicilian Lentil, Vegetable, Understanding and Pasta Soup Cerasuolo di Vittoria

● Every country has its favorite prosperity and abundance. The l find it in NYC customs to celebrate the New lentils or beans are eaten on 67 Wine & Spirits 179 Columbus Follow Charles Year, including Italy. In some New Year’s Day with cotechino, Avenue n Vino Fine Wines and places, old a large sausage Spirits 121 East 27th Street (212- on i-Italy.org clothes, cracked Serves 6 to 8 wrapped in a pig’s 725-6416) n dishes and even n 1 pound brown lentils, skin, or zampone, broken furniture rinsed and picked over n 1 a similar sausage are tossed out the large onion, chopped n 2 stuffed in a pig’s window at the medium carrots, chopped n 1 foot. You can find stroke of twelve to large celery rib, with leaves, them at many symbolize clear- chopped n 2 large tomatoes, Italian markets in ing out the the old peeled and chopped or 1 cup this country. year and making canned Italian peeled To start the New way for the new. tomatoes, chopped n 2 Year off, I always Anyone in Naples medium zucchini, yellow make Sicilian or Rome on New squash or pattypan, chopped Lentil Soup Year’s Eve should n 6 cups water n 1 cup from my book keep their eyes tubetti or other small pasta The Italian Slow open to avoid bits shape n Salt and freshly Cooker. The slow of flying crock- ground pepper to taste n cooker saves ● Last May the Wine Media bodied wine. ery or old socks. Freshly grated pecorino time and effort Guild, an association of wine Nero d’Avola has high sugar Throughout the Romano n and the recipe is writers, organized a tasting and levels and very firm acidity, country, there are simply a matter lunch featuring the red wines which gives the wine its parties, dances and concerts of combining a few ingredients of Sicily. I am the co-chair of structure and body. If the wine galore. Many Italians wear red and leaving them to simmer the organization and was the contains a greater percentage of underwear under their party until tender and flavorful while member sponsor of this event. Nero D’Avola, it will age much attire to ensure good luck in the I enjoy the day with family and The wines were from all over longer. The wine should be new year. At midnight, fireworks friends. the island and ranged in price consumed within the first ten sparkle in the night sky. In a large slow cooker, combine for $12.99 to $159.99. years though there are some Naturally there are traditional the lentils, vegetables, and water. One of the wines that caught that could age for 15 years or foods eaten to celebrate. Lentils, Cover and cook on low for 7 my attention was the Cerasuolo more. Cerasuolo was the first beans and grapes, because hours. Add the pasta and salt di Vittoria. It sells for around wine from Sicily to be granted they resemble coins, symbolize and pepper to taste. Cook on $20, sometimes for less, and is the DOCG and producers can high 30 minutes more or until an excellent wine for the price. also make a DOC version of the the pasta is tender. Serve hot The production area is wine. Follow Michele sprinkled with the cheese. Pota- southeast Sicily and includes The minimum alcoholic content on i-Italy.org toes, green beans, winter squash the provinces of Ragusa, is 13%. The wine is released and many other vegetables can Caltanissetta and Catania. It into the market only after it be added to this easy soup. gets it name from the town of remains for three months in the Vittoria. The climate in this part bottle but not before the June of Sicily is hot and dry with very 1st, following the harvest. For little rain. Cerasuolo di Vittorio Classico, Cerasuolo di Vittoria is made the period of aging in the bottle from a blend of Nero d’Avola cannot be less than 8 months and Frappato grapes -- typically and cannot be released before 50% to 70% Nero d’Avola and March 31 of the second year from 30% to 50% Frappato. following the harvest. The Cerasuolo in Italian means wine has hints of red fruit cherry and the wine lives up especially cherry with a touch to its name. Frappato is a low of strawberry, good acidity and a acid grape and contributes the nice finish and aftertaste. flavors of cherry and strawberry. Serve this wine with lentil soup, On its own it makes a light roasted meats or pecorino

For more about cooking, go to www.MicheleScicolone.com For more about wine, go to charlesscicolone.wordpress.com.

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Authentically Yours, Francesco Cirio Coliseum - Roma 1856

Francesco Cirio was the canned vegetable industry pioneer, starting back in 1856. Nowadays his Cirio brand is loved throughout Italy along with 70 countries all over the world. With top quality produce from a huge farmers Cooperative, Cirio products are controlled from “seeds to table”. The exquisite taste of our juiciest Italian tomatoes is created with

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● ● WHAT’S CHANGING IN THE WORLD OF ILLUSTRATION? The Creativity of the Pen

What changes when you cross the power of the pen with popular technology? Whatever it is, the marriage seems to bode well for Italian illustrators, as more and more art directors in the editorial world are beginning to recognize the style and originality of everything “Made in Italy.” We discussed this with experts in the field Stefano Imbert, member of the International Board of Directors of the American Society of Illustrators of New York, and Stefano Salis, a journalist for the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore and an expert in illustra- Above (left to right): Stefano Salis and Stefano Imbert. Below: Italian book covers designed by Franco Matticchio. tion, graphics and design. Opposite page: an illustration by Luigi Toccafondo,

and small as well as new and speaks to the sensibility of the line with the times. Recently one old. From exhibits of the work American publishing industry,” of the shows had Stefano Delli by Mila Tenaglia of Italian illustrators curated by says Stefano Imbert. At the Veneri, Chiara Vercesi, and the Melania Gazzotti to the detailed American Society, continues Balbusso sisters as some of the ●● Picture a magazine or book studies at the Italian Cultural Imbert, illustrators are chosen biggest names.” whose cover struck you. Pick it Institute, there has been a drive from a diverse pool from all over For ten years, Salis has been up and flip through it. How many to recognize the field. And the world, but it is the names of writing a column called Cover times did you feel attached to then there was the XVI edition the Italians that stand out. “The Story in which he describes a the memory of that image and of the Italian Language Week result is a unique style that is in book cover and explains its think about how much that in the World (October 17-23) book, or that story, allowed you entitled “L’italiano e la creatività: to feel something? The smell, the moda e design,” which saw the font, and the graphics of a text participation of extremely are all necessary ingredients for talented artists. the gluttonous bibliophile. But how important is the creative An editorial revival component, hidden behind “All of the most important the written word, in publishing editorial offices, from the New and journalism? In the last York Times to the New Yorker, are few years, particularly in 2016, very attentive to new illustrators illustration and design have like Emiliano Ponzi and Olimpia had significant resonance. New Zagnoli. Above all, I believe York has become a fertile land that this is a stylistic factor, for cultivating Italian “pens” big an important avant-garde that

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Some illustra- tors today do more than just graph- The Shades of Italian ic work; they create works of art in which- Illustration ever ways they can. by Joelle Grosso They create objects that can become part Emiliano Ponzi, Guido Scarabottolo, Lorenzo Mattotti, Franco Matticchio, of an interior design. Olimpia Zagnoli, and Gianluigi Toccafondo are just a few of the major names in illustration that are revolutionizing their profession and They are absolutely reinventing the face of the biggest Italian publishing houses. Their suitable for interior immense talent has been recognized all over the world with a long client decorating. list that includes the likes of The New Yorker, , Vogue, — Stefano Imbert Rolling Stone, and La Repubblica. Together they have formed a powerful force that is currently taking the illustration game by storm. Every artist is unique and has a particular stylistic approach, however there are some noticeable common threads in each generation. The art of success and how it functions generation of illustrators that the older illustrators contains a significantly more subdued color palette in terms of visible grammar. can produce great work without with soft hand drawn lines and subtle texture. On the other hand, the “I believe that the sector ever touching a pencil or a work of Ponzi and Zagnoli is drastically different, characterized by bold of editorial graphics and paintbrush, says Salis. “Think color schemes and strong graphic compositions. The lines are hard and illustration experienced a of Emiliano Ponzi and Olimpia this is most likely because of the undeniable influence of digitalization on rise in price in Italy. This is Zagnoli. I think of Franco this era of illustrators. The illustrations are typically computer generated, one aspect of my positive Matticchio as an ‘old school’ two dimensional, and somewhat minimalist, however they do pack a outlook. In the early 2000s an artist who is removed from the punch and immediately demand the attention of the viewer. important publishing house new technologies.” Even though these visual artists are based in Italy, their work can be like Guanda decided to trust Imbert finds the union of found internationally whether it be on book covers or on some of the its graphic restyling effort to traditional and digital media, most popular and best-selling magazines. At the moment, Ponzi and an important designer and including Photoshop, very Zagnoli in particular are having great success in the United States partly illustrator, in this case Guido fascinating. However, paper because their striking illustrations stand out more in an extremely Scarabottolo, who was able to is always the starting point. competitive and fierce market. Their boldness seems to be more effectively use pencils and paint Understanding where the attractive to the audience which turns them into consumers, a quality brushes as new technologies. traditional intersects with that is essential in American publishing houses. What these Italian The graphic impact had very technology has become a game illustrators all have in common is that they have the ability to reflect simple illustrations on the of sorts for the artist, resulting the language of their time in the most beautiful way. Not only have they cover, different from the vivid unprecedented ways of working. provided us with gorgeous images to get lost in, but they also managed to illustrations of Ferec Pinter, and “For example, the work of the put their country on the map while doing so which is an incredible feat. it encouraged other editors to Balbusso twins has a painterly follow suit.” base that permits texture to be Poster for the exhibition electronically created and fused Una Storia Americana. Designe by Olimpia Zagnoli Technology and Creativity together.” (right side) and Emiliano Ponzi We are living in an era where Regarding the future of paper, (left side). creativity exists alongside Salis remains an optimist, technology, where a piece of reminding us that even in paper can easily be substituted America eBooks haven’t caught by a drawing tablet. “I believe on. Rather, we should use apps that we are looking at the first that, instead of goods, can be substituted with content from books. In the future publishing It’s easier for a houses will need to keep in mind good Italian that it’s not a crisis of books, but illustrator to get a crisis of literature. “We are working toward a published in Ameri- different way of thinking about ca as opposed to in images. They may be less detailed, Italy. America, in as can be seen on Amazon or Google,” concludes Imbert. general, has a culture In the environment in which we that is open and are living now, illustration has evaluates you on been transformed into interior your skills and not on design, technology has become the new paintbrush and the favoritism. cover of a book the new canvas. — Stefano Salis We’re still in the middle of an evolutionary period. ●● www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 63 Ideas ➜ Style

This Italian Season 2 Winter Cravings

by Camilla Santinelli Yes, it’s coming again. Another year has passed, help but think about fashion. Here is a selection of and here we are, ready to let the magic of style ideas (as well as gift suggestions) featuring Christmas fill our souls and hearts. Because let’s the two big trends of the season - velvet and be honest, everyone loves Christmas, right? Its knitwear - in both casual and more sophisticated lights, its colors, and the general sense of love looks, because everyone’s taste needs to be and happiness that is able to warm up even the satisfied. We think they’re just perfect for you coldest of hearts. And while Christmas trees and for your loved ones to stay comfy and classy and all sorts of decorations are already filling while enjoying the most special season of the up every corner of our houses - we also couldn’t year. What do you reckon?

❝2❞ Velvet Couture Fendi ◗ www. fendi.com

● Here’s a case in which velvet is the protagonist, and it’s further con- firmation that we clearly won’t get over it this season. This dark velvet embroidered dress could be the per- fect substitute for the traditional little black/red dress everyone normally wears on New Year’s Eve - just to give an example. Feel free to match it with the shoes and the accessories that you want, but we think it would look great with a pair of over-the- knee Parisian stockings and velvet sandals in contrast. ❝3❞ Posh Papillon Armani ◗ www.armani.com ● We love velvet to the point that we thought it would be fair to suggest ❝4❞ it also for a male accessory. What Miu Miu Mary Jane do you think of this velvet and satin Miu Miu bow tie? We think that Mr. Armani ◗ www.miumiu.com didn’t disappoint our expectations ● Who wouldn’t want these Miu Miu once again, creating one of the most shoes on their feet for holiday parties? elegant accessories a man could pos- Whether you decide to wear them with sibly wear. And just in case you are dark or glittery tights or barelegged, wondering: yes, we’ve seen velvet they will bring a touch of glamour to 1 used in every possible way this sea- every look, and that’s for sure. Not son, and yet… we’re not sick of it. only do they look great because of the peculiarity of the heel and the exqui- site proportions - but the combination resistance. The fact that it is used of velvet and the jewelry on the back ❝1❞ to make such superb items makes make them the shoes of every lady’s nglish ib E R us eager to have it even more. This dream..You will not be disappointed.

Brunello Cucinelli red English Rib turtleneck sweater ◗ www. brunellocucinelli.com is exactly the unavoidable “passe- Download our ● We all know Brunello Cucinelli’s partout” companion you need to iPhone app precious cachemire is a guarantee have during Holiday season (and all 3 in terms of quality, softness, and year long).

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Contemporary Icon Furla Metropolis Bolero

Furla ● The traditional Furla Metropo- ◗ www.furla.com lis has been reinvented, and the result is a true contemporary icon. The Furla Metropolis Bo- lero can indeed be considered as a “creative laboratory”, where creativity, expertise and advanced technology lead to new dimen- sions and to a new art of craftsmanship. With this new model, materials are developed and enriched with an elaborated laser embroidery, as well as with rivets and eyelets that well match with the traditional Furla golden latch. What makes this bag unique are the laser cuts, made possible by an avant-garde laser- cut technology which adds 3D effects and creates kaleidoscopic patterns that confer a sophisticated and a rock appeal. We are already obsessed with it, and the only doubts left are the ones concerning the right color and size to choose.

5

❝5❞ Christmas Flowers Blugirl ◗ www.blugirl.it

● Knitted sweater; plus fluffy shirt; plus red, green, and white roses. Are you still not convinced that this is the ❝7❞ perfect Christmas outfit? We suggest Tartan Bouclé 7 copying the entire look, but if the pat- Luisa Spagnoli tern/color game is too much for you, ◗ www.luisaspagnoli.it feel free to combine the floral pants with a simple black or white sweater, ● Tartan and its shades alone al- or combine the sweater with a basic ready recall a Christmassy atmo- pair of pants. Regardless, the result sphere, let alone when it’s combined will be stunning, promise! with this soft bouclé fabric. Both the 4 cut and the colors of the coat confer a young and fresh attitude to a time- ❝6❞ less garment - and we think it would Lucky rings look great combined either with an Dodo elegant dress for a special night, or ◗ www.dodo.it with a pair of black/dark blue jeans for a more low key-look. ● If you want to buy someone a cute present and to wish them luck at the same time, we think these Dodo rings are perfect for you. Both of them are made of 9kt rose gold, and they feature the iconic symbols of good luck: a little enamelled ladybird and a precious four-leaf clover made of white diamonds. Simplicity and re- finement have always been Dodo’s most relevant characteristics - but it is only when they are worn by a be- loved person that these tiny precious 6 jewels disclose their own magic.

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● ● THE MISSION OF RESEARCHING AND SHARING THE STORIES OF ITALY’S ARTISANS Heart Beyond Spreadsheets. The Hidden Secret of the Italian Artisanal Industry

How an American student of Italian origin traveled to Florence to work on his by Salvatore P. Ambrosino Master’s thesis and mingle with the locals—and ended up tripping over the world of ●● To travel to a city and go Italian artisanship. And how he discovered the secret ingredient of Italian lifestyle beyond what meets the eye. and elegance: heart. To mingle with the locals, talk to them, become their friend, to dine with them, to create memories together. To understand truly what makes a city tick, to understand the engine that has powered it through the centuries. This was my goal when I moved to Florence a few years ago to work Photo: Salvatore P. Ambrosino Ambrosino P. Photo: Salvatore on my Master’s thesis. I wanted to dig deeper than the classic tourist traps, emerge from what is often described as the “study abroad bubble” and dive feet-first into the local culture. I had hopes for participating in the local customs, and tasting the local dishes. It wasn’t long before I ate more homemade ribollita recipes than I can count. They were all delicious. I even joined my friends in Santo Spirito’s fan section at the Calcio Storico Elena Bianchini, Firenze championship match. The calcianti didn’t let me down, the While we live game was just as brutal as it is in a world of reputed to be. quantifiable data: An unexpected surprise returns on invest- What I didn’t expect, though, was ment, key perfor- to meet dozens of talents who represent the industrious core mance indicators; that has distinguished Florence profits, margins and for so many centuries. The ratios, there exists a decedents of those craftsmen parallel world where that supplied Lorenzo de Medici’s court with the priceless passion is the prima- jewelry, ceramics and furniture ry motivation to get that today fill the shelves of so to work every day. many museums throughout the world. In short, my personal And passion cannot discovery of Florence’s artisanal be analyzed on a industry came as an unexpected Marcello Aversa, Sorrento spreadsheet surprise… As a matter of fact, I tripped over it.

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Penko Piero Dri, Venezia Photo: Serena Scapagnini Photo: Serena

So often we allow spreadsheets to cast their shadow on the heart. We tend to favor indicators like the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) over the Emotional Quotient (EQ), which is favored over what I like to call the Human Quotient (HQ) – that extension of the heart that is every artisan’s secret ingredient. It is the core of what makes their creations so beautiful, and why they, as individuals, are such an inspiration… an inspiration that never overlooks the heart.

It started with getting lost on by the Renaissance: each piece away from his university degree that fills the room in anticipation my way to school and stumbling was just as contemporary as it in Astronomy to dedicate his life of a live performance, the upon Paolo Penko’s workshop was faithful to the 500-yeear-old to making forcoli, or oarlocks wondrous moment of awe-filled on Via Ferdinando Zannetti, just esthetic that inspired it. particular to the Venetian suspense when human hands a few blocks from the Duomo. It’s been a few years since we gondola. He now sees rowing as are on the verge of creating Through the store window, first met, and I have since met a way of life and, in addition to something from nothing. It is an which glistened with elaborate dozens of artisans from all over his craft, helps many explore this unquantifiable extension of the necklaces and sparkling rings, I Italy. Despite the different crafts alternative, healthy and low cost human spirit – every artisan’s could see a man hunched over that they might practice they all option to discover the Floating most valuable tool. a workbench, shaping his next seem to share a common ability City. Likewise, it was passion So often we allow spreadsheets creation. I knocked on the door, to create timeless masterpieces. that pushed Elena Bianchini to cast their shadow on the heart. introduced myself to Paolo, Although I cannot prove it, my of Florence to pursue a career We tend to favor indicators like and through him discovered instinct tells me that the artisans as an artisanal Costume and the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) over my greatest passion: Italian owe it to one secret ingredient: Set Designer. She researches the Emotional Quotient (EQ), which Artisanship. heart, the birthplace of passion in sustainable ways to transform is favored over what I like to call Paolo is a goldsmith with more each and every one of us. simple household objects the Human Quotient (HQ) – that than 20 years of experience. like paper and even rags into extension of the heart that is We spoke extensively about his A matter of motivation elaborate busts and 18th century every artisan’s secret ingredient. craft, and he explained how he In fact, while we live in a world frocks; most recently she was It is the core of what makes their applies historic techniques that of quantifiable data: returns on appointed founding-director of creations so beautiful, and why are particular to the Florentine investment, key performance the in-house atelier for Set and they, as individuals, are such an tradition to each one of his indicators; profits, margins and Costume Design at Florence’s inspiration… an inspiration that masterpieces. He showed me a ratios, there exists a parallel prestigious and historic Teatro never overlooks the heart. ●● few examples of jewels that he world where passion is the della Pergola. created as a direct result of his primary motivation to get to research: pendants inspired by work every day. It was passion Beyond spreadsheets * Salvatore Ambrosino is the Botticelli’s Primavera, bracelets that inspired Marcello Aversa Heart and the passion it founder of L’Arte Nascosta inspired by the crests of notable of Sorrento to leave his family’s generates cannot be analyzed (www.lartenascosta.com || www. historical figures, the list goes lucrative brickmaking business on a spreadsheet. Its essence thehiddenart.com), an online blog that on, each jewel more beautiful and dedicate his life to making has been a mystery since the researches and shares the stories of than the next. What truly left an miniature créches in terracotta. beginning of time. It is what Italy’s artisans. Through artisanship, impact on me, though, was the He has since been commissioned inspires photographers to take L’Arte Nascosta explores lifestyle timeless beauty of Paolo’s works by the Pope. The same passion pictures, singers to sing, and and ‘sprezzatura,’ the timeless that were so directly inspired led Piero Dri of Venice to step creators to create. It is that magic concept of Italian elegance. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 67 Ideas ❱❱ Bookshelf italIAN readS AND listenS

● ● ITALIAN WRITER DOMENICO STARNONE ON TEACHING (AND LEARING) IN AMERICA My American Journey

Domenico Starnone speaking at the Italian Embassy in Washington D.C.

At the end of his teaching time long enough to allow me like in a written document. of my generation intend it term at Georgetown to get familiar with institutions, Hazard is reduced, and so is in Italy and in Europe. But as places, and people. improvisation. And this is a times change, anything can University, Domenico good thing. But I don’t want to be improved. For sure, they Starnone talks to us about How do you compare your make shallow pronouncements, work on the literary text with his experience in the U.S. teaching experience in Italy I need more time and more intelligence and creativity. with the current one in the US? study. When work becomes Obviously, like the Italian and what he learned from a routine, it is at that point students, they’re anxious about his students. It’s too early to tell. In Italy, when that you notice problems or grades, and they strive for the I was teaching, I was mainly difficulties. But, unfortunately, highest grade. concerned with working with I’ll have to leave before that the students, that was my main time. For your class you chose a by Anna Lawton* interest. Here, as it usually difficult author, Italo Calvino, occurs in a new environment, How do you relate to American whose literary world seems to ●● Domenico, you’ve been in everything attracts me: the students? What is, in your be far away from the American the US for two months, but exterior and interior spaces, how opinion, their main quality reality of the “millennials.” you are not here to receive an they are organized, the cultural and their main weakness Why did you choose this award or promote your books. initiatives, and student activities. in comparison with Italian author? Instead, this time you are here I’m also happy with the way students? as a professor at Georgetown I’ve been received, and with Because I’ve always loved University. What prompted you the colleagues I met, they are We have a great relation. They’re him, and because I think he to accept this opportunity? knowledgeable and very kind. cordial, diligent, attentive and represents both the strength eager to speak out and make and the small weaknesses Curiosity. I always enjoyed What’s your impression of the themselves heard. They want of our literary tradition. teaching, but “I never had the American university system? to learn and they work hard. Furthermore, he is one of the opportunity to do it in places Perhaps they lack a general few Italian writers who looked other than italy for a stretch of I discern a certain rigor, cultural background, as people beyond the national borders

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Domenico Starnone was born in must wait. Meanwhile, the Naples in 1943 and now lives in Rome. young, especially, should not get He is the author of eight novels, and discouraged, but keep working numerous books of non-fiction. In and publishing. 2001, he was the recipient of Italy’s most prestigious literary prize, the If you were to give a book Strega. His new book Lacci will be award to a living Italian writer, published in English as Ties by Europa man or woman, whom would Editions in the Spring 2017. Translated you pick and why? and with an introduction by Jhumpa Lahiri. Many of my friends, men and women, are good writers whom Ties I’ve been following for years Domenico Starnone and for whom I have high Europa Editions, 2017 regard and affection. It would ➤ pages 144 be difficult for me to give an ➤ $ 16.00 award to this rather than that. But I want to name a writer who I don’t know personally, and yet I’ve been reading his books with pleasure because they are I see an increase in the number of quality books. For example, outside the box. I’m referring to the average level in Italy rose, and this may prevent us to spot Michele Mari. a peak, the so-called “greatness.” Time will tell. Like it happened Did your contact with with the writer generation of the thirties. Their names vividly jump American society suggest you a to mind: Roth, DeLillo, Munro, Atwood and so on. For the others we theme for your next novel? must wait. Meanwhile, the young, especially, should not get No, no. To write about a discouraged, but keep working and publishing. country, one must have a deep knowledge of its language, history and society. Luciano and tried to get a glimpse of I hope so. In any case, I try to general cultural leveling. Bianciardi, one of our great the new millennium, with rigor offer them a tasting of Calvino’s writers of the second half of and imagination at the same works. Something—I hope—will No, I don’t see any leveling. On the XXth century and author time. As for the young, the stay with them. the contrary, I see an increase of La vita agra, used to cite this adults relentlessly churn out in the number of quality books. example: a friend of his from new labels to categorize them: Which Italian or foreign writers For example, the average level in the town of Cecina, who was generation X, generation Y. have been your “teachers”? In Italy rose, and this may prevent also a writer, came back from a The narrative is the usual one: other words, who inspired you us to spot a peak, the so-called trip to China but did not start every generation is completely to become a writer yourself? “greatness.” Time will tell. Like writing about the Chinese. different from the previous it happened with the writer Very wisely, he continued one, if not worse, and it is on a It’s always been difficult for me generation of the thirties. Their to write about the Cecinese. path of collision with the past. to list my models, because they names vividly jump to mind: My brief American stay will If this were true, humankind change according to my mood. Roth, DeLillo, Munro, Atwood certainly remain an important would have been swept away When I was young I searched and so on. For the others we experience. But I won’t from the face of our planet. The for my way, falling in love presume to be writing about fact is that, by nature, young now with an author, now with it. I’ll be as wise as my friend people’s traits are constantly another. I can tell you that at Bianciardi. changing, and therefore seventeen I was a fan of Franz difficult to pinpoint. The Kafka, but the previous year I We cannot finish this young need a large variety of adored Tolstoy, and two years conversation without cultural experiences—relevant, later Joyce seduced me, and mentioning your latest novel dissonant, accessible, complex, then La Capria with Ferito a fresh from the press, Scherzetto. arduous, even futile—in order to morte. What’s the connection? Here too we see a teaching/ grow up. Our task is to provide I don’t know. Every good book learning process, but in a very these experiences. Then, it’ll leaves a mark, and in the peculiar situation. Can you tell be up to them to choose. It’s process one will eventually find us something about it? wrong to lock them up in the his way, or gets lost. little cage the adult world keeps It’s the story of a seventy- reinventing every day. Among the contemporary plus grandfather and his only writers can you point out a grandson, a four-year-old. They Do you think your students are “great” one? Or, perhaps it’s do not know each other, but capable of entering Calvino’s no longer a time for “great” because of a series of events universe and appreciating both writers and literature, like they’re forced to spend four its philosophical significance everything else, has been days together, alone. The result and its literary invention? negatively affected by the is a violent clash between a www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 69 Ideas ➜ Bookshelf

feeble life, fading out but still Domenico Starnone with Anna Lawton (right) reluctant to retreat, and a new and his studends at Georgetown University life, impulsive and impudent, which will inevitably replace it.

In this book there’s also an American theme that jumps out. The main character is an illustrator who works on a new edition of Henry James, a ghost story in an old New York apartment. Why did you choose this subtext?

Yes, the story is “The Jolly Corner.” I’ve always loved it. At times I thought of translating it into Italian, not for lack of good translations, but in order to internalize it completely. I do read English (I don’t speak it, I couldn’t, I have no talent for languages), but not well edilizia,” certainly not a ghost * Anna Lawton has earned her She published three scholarly books enough to tackle a translation of story, had something in common PhD in Russian Literature at UCLA. and numerous scholarly essays and James. And so, the story stayed with “The Jolly Corner.” To write She has worked both in academia book chapters. She has received in my head for decades like a also involves the deliberate or and in government. As a professor several awards, including the stimulus, and from time to time spontaneous sneaking into our at Purdue University and later CHOICE Award as Outstanding it resurfaced. Finally, I decided texts of the texts we love. Georgetown University, she taught Academic Title 2005 for her book, to cite it in this short novel, courses in literature, cinema and Imaging Russia 2000: Film and Scherzetto. Ironically, it was here When will the translation of visual culture. She also worked Facts. Her first novel, Album di in Washington, while preparing Scherzetto come out for the for USIA at the American Embassy famiglia, was published in Italy and for my class, that I found out American readers? in Moscow as the Deputy Director is now being translated into English. that Calvino in an interview of Public Information and Media Her second novel, Amy’s Story, will referred to “The Jolly Corner” as I think it will come out in the fall Outreach and the editor-in-chief of come out in March 2017. the ultimate story he wished he of 2017. And in the spring my the magazine Connections, and In 2003, she founded the publishing had written. I said “ironically” previous novel Lacci will come at the World Bank in Washington, house New Academia Publishing, because in the past I thought out in the translation of Jhumpa DC, as the managing editor of the which is today a successful that his story “La speculazione Lahiri. ●● magazine Development Outreach. enterprise.

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● ● ON SUNDANCE TV, WEDNESDAY NIGHTS 10 P.M. Studying Italian-American Material Culture in NYC

Through his engaging style, based on the best of ethnographic methods, Joseph Sciorra presents a study that reaches beyond the academic to inform and challenge us to see and react to this Italian American material culture in new ways by Fred Gardaphe *

●● Joseph Sciorra, one of the few scholars in the world to take this material seriously, provides masterful insights into what most people take for granted and even more ignore. His “thick descriptions” of private shrines, presepi—Nativity Built With Faith scenes, the Rosebank Grotto of Joseph Sciorra Staten Island, New York, and Built With Faith won the first Italian American Studies Association Book University of Tennessee Press, 2015 religious processions, are all well Award at the annual IASA conference in Los Angeles, November 5, 2016 ➤ pages 384 grounded in thorough histories ➤ $ 56.00 and journalistic accounts of these these can be found in “bathtub to see how these expressions of public performances of personal madonnas,” front stoop shrines faith interact with contemporary devotions to Catholic saints. during feste, statues and yard life: “The presepio’s power is it The Author Through his engaging style, altars that all become what subtle ability to embrace us in Joseph Sciorra is the Director based on the best of ethnographic Sciorra calls “Points of Encounter, its miniaturized intimacy and for Academic and Cultural methods, he presents a study that Nodes for Communication,” where conjure a reverie of entangled Programs at the John D. Calandra reaches beyond the academic to people can meet and discuss thoughts and meanings. The Italian American Institute, inform and challenge us to see their reactions to these public multiple narratives revealed there Queens College (City University and react to this Italian American expressions of private devotions. offer insight into our relationship of New York). Sciorra received material culture in new ways. Along with historical data and to the past and the future, to the his Ph.D. from the Department Sciorra’s “Introduction” recounts interpretative analyses, Sciorra holy and the mundane, to the self of Folklore and Folklife at the the work he did over a thirty-five presents interviews with builders and communal, and ultimately University of Pennsylvania. As a folklorist, he has published year period in New York City and and devotees and includes our longings and desires.” on religious practices, material provides a rationale for the way anecdotes from his encounters If you’ve ever wondered why culture, and popular music, he has documented not only over the years. people decorate the outside of among other topics. He is editor the history of these acts, but Chapter Two, “Imagined Places their homes during the Christmas of the social science and cultural how, over the years they have and Fragile Landscapes,” covers season, Chapter Three presents, studies journal Italian American been “reproduced, discarded, the traditions and practice of in great mix of academic and Review. He has conceptualized and reinterpreted.” Chapter One, setting up Nativity scenes, both journalistic style, not only the and curated several exhibitions, “Private Devotions in Public dramatic and static, in homes and history of these practices, which including “Evviva La Madonna Pulaces” covers the evolution in museums from early Italian actually originate in Northern Nera!: Italian-American Devotion to the Black Madonna.” of the Roman larari—shrines to examples such as the one created Europe and the U.S., but also Sciorra is an invited blogger of gods found in homes, gardens by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 culturally critical insights as to “Occhio contro occhio,” at i-Italy and streets of ancient Rome—to to the crèche set up annually how these practices are rooted in (www.i-italy.org/bloggers/occhio- their historical le edicole in Italy, in the Metropolitan Musuem of conceptions of social class and contro-occhio). contemporary manifestations of New York. His insights help us taste. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 71 Ideas ➜ Bookshelf

In Chapter Four, Sciorra Above, the Rosebank Grotto of Staten Island, from Cultures of Conservation (cultures-of-conservation.wikis.bgc.bard. provides an in-depth study of edu). Below, the Festa del Giglio in Williamsburg photographed by Steven Greaves (from: http://www.stevengreaves.com) the creation and evolution of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Over the course of 130 years, Italian American Catholics in Grotto in Rosebank, Staten New York City have developed a varied repertoire of Island. Through his study of this shrine he captures the devotional art and architecture to create community-accepted “multivocality” of a community sacred spaces in their homes and neighborhoods, spaces that exist project through interviews with outside of but in relationship to the consecrated halls of local and accounts of those who parishes. Today, yard shrines, domestic altars, presepi (Nativity were present at its creation, and those who have come along to crèches), extravagant Christmas house displays, and a constellation maintain this important site of of street feste (religious feasts) and processions are examples of the religious devotion. Chapter Five vibrant and varied ways contemporary Italian Americans have covers the important aspects of religious feste processions used and continue to use material culture, architecture, ritual and their relationships to behavior, and public ceremonial display to shape New York City’s multicultural geographic spaces religious, cultural, and ethnic landscapes. (From Built With Faith) and their populations in the city. Each chapter is well illustrated with clearly reproduced photos and illustrations that bring to life the impact that material culture has on spiritual developments. A concluding chapter brings all the studies together to demonstrate how past and present migrations and settlements speak to and through these public representations of personal beliefs, helping us to better photography greaves © steven understand the shifting mosaic lives in New York City. ●●

* Fred Gardaphe is Distinguished Professor of English and Italian American Studies at Queens College/ CUNY and the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute.

72 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org ITALIAN CULTURE AT HOME IN NEW YORK LA CULTURA ITALIANA A NEW YORK

ITALIAN CULTURE AT HOME IN NEW YORK LA CULTURA ITALIANA A NEW YORK

ITALIAN CULTURE AT HOME IN NEW YORK LA CULTURA ITALIANA A NEW YORK

The largest university-wide research institute in the Americas dedicated to the study of the 24 West 12th Street, New York, NY, 10011 Italianwww.CasaItalianaNYU.org American experience

24 West 12th Street www.casaitalianaNYU.org

06-13_SERVIZI.indd 11 1/22/13 1:58 AM The largest university-wide research institute in the Americas dedicated to the study of the Italian American experience

Queens College City University of New York

25 West 43rd Street New York, NY, 10036 http://qcpages.qc.edu/calandra

The largest university-wide research institute in the Americas dedicated to the study of the

Italian American experienceThe Institute publishes three books series and a scholarly journal, Italian American Review. The Historical Monograph Series rescues from oblivion texts that have fallen out of print. Transactions publishes studies that are longer than the usual journal article but shorter than a monograph. Studies in Italian Americana publishes full-length books, be they single- authored or collections of essays.

qcpages.qc.edu/calandra

42-45_Bookshelf.indd 42 1/22/13 2:18 AM

The Institute publishes three books series and a scholarly journal, Italian American Review. The Historical Monograph Series rescues from oblivion texts that have fallen out of print. Transactions publishes studies that are longer than the usual journal article but shorter than a monograph. Studies in Italian Americana publishes full-length books, be they single- authored or collections of essays. 24 West 12th Street www.casaitalianaNYU.org

The Institute publishes three books series and a scholarly journal, Italian American Review. The Historical Monograph Series rescues from oblivion texts06-13_SERVIZI.indd that have fallen out of 11 print. qcpages.qc.edu/calandra 1/22/13 1:58 AM Transactions publishes studies that are longer than the usual journal article but shorter than a monograph. Studies in Italian Americana publishes full-length books, be they single- authored or collections of essays. 24 West 12th Street www.casaitalianaNYU.org

42-45_Bookshelf.indd 42 1/22/13 2:18 AM qcpages.qc.edu/calandra 06-13_SERVIZI.indd 11 1/22/13 1:58 AM

42-45_Bookshelf.indd 42 1/22/13 2:18 AM Ideas ➜ Bookshelf

Visits having already received great suc- Helen Barolini cess and positive feedback on her Bordighera Pres new pop album; this only adds to the ➤ pages 348 ➤ $ 22.00 Elena Ferrante’s First many years of her incredibly success- ful career. With impressionable lyr- BOOK ● This viv- Dark Fairytale ics, a range of different melodies, and idly realistic novel songs in both English and Italian, the follows the protag- The Beach at Night Ferrante’s frightening new bedtime album features a duet with Jack Sa- onist as she learns voretti and collaboration with Emma Elena Ferrante picture book, illustrated by Mara Cer- about and comes Ann Goldstein (Translator) ri, takes its audience along a spooky Marrone and Giuliano Sangiorgi. to terms with her Europa Editions overnight adventure. It leaves read- personal cultural ➤ pages 48 ers clinging onto hope for the survival awareness. Helen ➤ $ 13.00 of Mati’s innocent little doll, Celina, The Revolution of the Barolini has deep left stranded and motionless on the Moon educational roots in Italian heritage beach at sunset. Celina narrates the Andrea Camilleri and Italian-American literature; thus story, explaining her inner turmoil of Europa Editions ➤ ➤ the plot is unbelievably emotional. jealousy for the new family kitten, pages 208 $ 16.00 She includes grave detail on the trials fearing that her mom and her great- and tribulations of self recognition by est companion love the new pet more. BOOK ● Based on tracing through one character’s family Her feelings of neglect result in her a true story, on disappearance and this terrifying past, friendships, and relationships. April 16, 1677, El- adventure. After being thrown into The reader is taken on an onerous eonora de Moura piles of trash, nearly burned and suf- journey towards one woman’s self- was appointed a focated, left begging for her life, the establishment. viceroy of Charles scariest villain of the tale is the beach III in Palermo on attendant, who uses harsh explicit words and handles her inappropri- behalf of her dy- Missoni Art and Color ately. Translated by Ann Goldstein and ing husband’s Luciano Caramel, Luca Missoni, available in audio with English voiceover by Natalie Portman, this final request. She and Emma Zanella overnight beach escapade thriller has left its American audience applied her political ingenuity im- Skira Rizzoli slightly disturbed. Targeting youth, readers feel that the story is far mediately to heal her city stricken by ➤ pages 176 ➤ $ 45.00 too spooky for a bedtime story. On the contrary, European children poverty and civil strife. In just 27 days, crave nightmare-provoking tales before the lights go out. The villains or one cycle of the moon, she success- BOOK ● This vi- are no different in severity than those found in Toy Story, Monsters fully helped the low income families sually captivat- INC, or Shrek and the good, of course, triumphs in the end. Though of Sicily’s capital. Despite her actions ing picture book it is a picture book for young children, the classic Ferrante themes to improve its critical state, she is re- showcases the are preserved in a sense that appeals to children. The theme of a moved from her position of sovereign- unique trends treacherous mother daughter relationship is revealed through the ty due to her being a powerful woman and fashion young girl and her lost doll. Female subjectivity and the feeling of in a patriarchal society. work of the in- being weak and submissive to men occurs with the beach attendant and the Celina. Regardless, the epidemic of “Ferrante Fever” contin- ternationally re- ues to sweep the United States coast to coast, and the rest of the nowned Rosita The Teatro alla Scala: The world. Thus the readers must decide for themselves: is there an age and Ottavio Missoni to celebrate the Illustrated History too young to learn a valuable lesson? “Missoni, Art, Colour” exhibition. Carlo Lanfossi Since the 1950s, Missoni has been Skira ➤ ➤ challenging the fashion world. This pages 240 $ 200.00 catalogue of vibrant images, colorful tapestries, and innovative patterns BOOK ● The sto- traces the Missoni house back to its ry’s text and rich roots through its present day suc- illustrations result cess. Written in chronological order as an elaborate in themed sections, the book demon- chronology of La strates the imaginative transforma- Scala, a world fa- tion of the company and its benefits mous, prestigious to the fashion world. theater where the world’s finest tal- ents have performed. Through each page, the reader can truly understand On the theater’s past 200 years of suc- Elisa cessful operas, ballets, and other Sugar Musicc performances from Italy and around ➤ € 9.50 the globe.

music ● Featur- ing her hit single “No Hero,” the Download our northern Italian iPhone app singer songwriter climbs the charts

74 | i-Italy ny | Winter 2016-2017 | www.i-ItalyNY.com www.i-Italy.org Ideas ➜ Bookshelf

Brigitte March a funky vibe that will surely have Niedermair: Transition its listeners grooving along to the Giorgio Morandi smooth track. Originally the only ITALIAN JAZZ Gianfranco Maraniello physical copies were on vinyl. With Rizzoli an album made up entirely of covers Jazz and Politics ➤ pages 128 ➤ $ 40.00 from Italy’s greatest talents such as Mina, Patty Pravo, Lucio Battisti, and BOOK ● This gor- Gino Paoli; Murphy has created an geous volume of- entire new take on the classics. The fers an intimate soothing melodies of her new rendi- look at the paint- tions mixed with electronic sounds ings of Giorgio Mo- serve as a fresh take on classic Ital- randi through Bri- ian music. gitte Niedermair’s revealing photographs. Divided into two parts, the first series, “Transi- Domus: A Journey Into tion Giorgio Morandi,” reflects on Italy’s Most Creative by Enzo Capua the subtlety of Morandi’s paintings Interiors and objects in his studio. The second Oberto Gili, Marella series, “Are You Still There,” explores Caracciolo Chia A few months ago at the White House, on International Jazz Day, Presi- Rizzoli the horizon of the pyramids in Egypt. dent Obama decided to celebrate the musical genre that more than any ➤ pages 304 ➤ $ 85.00 Both series reveal Niedermair’s other represents the triumph of cultural, artistic and emotional diversity quest for the inner and secret hori- over divisiveness, segregation and racism. He pulled it off in grand style, ● zons that run through the existence BOOK In need of as you might expect from the president of the country in which jazz of humanity. inspiration? Take a originated. Obama invited so many musicians to play that evening that tour of high society it would be impossible to mention them all here. Yet the most important real estate owned part of Jazz Day in Washington was a detailed and moving apologia for Italian Street Food: by world-renowned jazz that the president made during his opening remarks. Recipes From Italy’s Bars Italian designers. One line in particular is enough to define the significance of this particu- and Hidden Laneways This book presents lar genre of music: “Jazz is perhaps the most honest reflection of who Paola Bacchia a keen look into the Smith Street Books private homes of Italy’s elite fashion we are as a nation. Because after all, has there ever been any greater ➤ ➤ pages 272 $ 35.00 members. Whether passionate about improvisation than America itself?” Such a public statement made by interior design or simply curious to the President of the United States is extremely significant. In just a few BOOK ● Not just uncover the source of fashion inspira- words he defined the nature of jazz and the spirit of a nation. That’s a another Italian tion, the reader can reflect on individual really big deal! cookbook, this styles and enjoy an intimate behind the A few months after the event, President Obama invited (former) Italian delves into the scenes look on Italy’s large city apart- Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to his final state dinner. That the two men backstreets of Italy ments, seaside villas, and countryside shared a common vision for the future of the world and world culture and provides 85 de- homes. was clearly evident. Renzi brought along with him a group of Italy’s licious recipes that finest artists, scientists and athletes, all of whom represent the best locals don’t want that our country has to offer on an international scale. Though the you to know about. Through beauti- The Long Life of Design in two probably didn’t discuss jazz that evening, I’m sure Renzi would ful stories and mouthwatering pho- Italy: B&B Italia. 50 Years fully agree with Obama’s statement. In fact, the art of improvisation tography, this book brings an old and and Beyond suits Renzi more than any other representative of the Italian Republic loved cuisine into a new light. Learn Stefano Casciani that I can think of. how to make traditional dishes from Skira ➤ ➤ Jazz improvisation was the subject of my last article, so I won’t beat a the street food scene, including au- pages 320 $ 70.00 dead horse. But one thing worth mentioning is that Italy’s contribution thentic polpettine, arancini, stuffed to the birth of jazz was significant and well documented, and, as I’ve cuttlefish, cannoli, and fritters. Then BOOK ● Established said over and over again, its current contribution to world culture is for dessert, refine your gelato-mak- in 1966 by Piero Am- fundamental. So for once we can let politics show its best side and reflect ing skills with Italian flavors, such as brogio Busnelli, B&B lemon and basil, affogato and aperol, Italia is a prestigious on how certain artistic expressions–jazz no doubt one of them–can help and orange. Italian company improve our vision of reality, even in difficult times such as these. There that manufactures was a time, especially between the end of the 1960s and all of the 1970s, Mi senti furniture and fur- in which political ideology seemed inseparable from the sound of jazz. Roisin Murphya nishings for homes Later on we saw that in many cases politics become an easy label that The Vinyl Factory and businesses. inevitably didn’t stick. But when politics—in its deepest and most noble ➤ $ 65.00 Written by one of the most influen- sense—embraces jazz, all of us are grateful to those who publicly affirm tial designers in the world, this book that art and society cannot be separated. MUSIC ● The explores the past and present of B&B As Obama said in his speech, “We hope this music will lead to new Irish singer and Italia and it brings the company’s avenues for dialogue and new collaborations across borders. And if we native English interesting history to light through can keep faith with that spirit, there’s no doubt that jazz will live on speaker finds in- text, images, and contributions from for generations to come.” spiration around Renzo Piano, Ferruccio de Bortoli, her to produce a and Deyan Sudjic that all testify to soundtrack with the company’s consistency. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 75 A view of Lake Garda Travel ❱❱ Lake Garda Are you going to Italy SOON?

●● DISCOVERING THE WONDERS OF NORTH EASTERN ITALY 142 sq mi of Nature, Food, History, and Culture

Spanning 142 square miles, Malcesine Garda—the largest lake in Italy—is a massive triangle of water measuring 32 miles long, from its northern tip at the spur of the Alps to its southern base in the Veneto region. Our journey will touch places of stunning beauty and deep history, where locals and tourists alike know how to enjoy nature, gorgeous food and incomparable wines. by Goffredo Palmerini * The commanding intense blue of the lake, speckled with sailboats, is a sight for sore eyes on a sunny autumn day. ●● Heading down the “Serenissima” Highway out of Verona in the direction of Milan, we hardly expect to find a trove of wonders in under twenty minutes. Yet there is the sign for Peschiera del Garda, signaling how close we are to the largest lake in Italy. A couple minutes later, we pass the lake’s main outlet, Mincio, which skirts Mantua before reaching the confluence of the Po and flowing gently into the delta. The natural world suddenly looks lusher. Surrounded by an enormous body of water, the area enjoys mild temperatures that allow for the active cultivation of grapes and olives, as well as cedar, orange and lemon trees—trees otherwise nonexistent at such latitudes. * A prolific writer and journalist, former deputy Mayor of L’Aquila, Goffredo Palmerini continues his fascinating journey through Spanning 142 square miles, the beauty of Italy.. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 77 Travel ➜ Lake Garda

Garda is a massive triangle of The top of the the Second Italian War of lake keep a respectful distance. water measuring 32 miles long, Independence. We continue down the from its northern tip at the promontory, The commanding, intense peninsula, the narrow, verdant spur of the Alps—Adamello and the highest point of blue of the lake, speckled spit of land that cuts into the Brenta—to its southern base, the peninsula, boasts with sailboats, is a sight for lake. The road is bordered by where we began our journey. sore eyes on a sunny autumn well cared for plant life and The 346-meter-deep lake was winning views of the day. A light wind ripples the pastel-colored houses. formed during the Quaternary lake. surface. The waves form Period, when retreating ice foamy arabesques as they From Sirmione to sheets deposited large rocks to crash against the rocks on the Desenzano create the incomparable beauty Martino della Battaglia, a shore. The quaintness of the We park at Sirmione and of its western coast. Exiting reminder of the heroic standoff place is complimented by its walk the rest of the way to the the highway at Sirmione, we between the Piedmont armies architecture: the houses, villas entrance, which is presided spy the nearby tower of San and the Austrians during and gardens that surround the over by the majestic Rocca

he cuisine of the Veneto, more than any What to Eat and Drink Tother region of Italy, reflects the influence of cultures around the world due to contact with them through Venice as a major port When You Are in Veneto and center for trade. by Michele Scicolone and Charles Scicolone he marshy region along the Po River of- ven if Lago di Garda Tfers the perfect growing conditions for Estretches across three rice, especially the Vialone Nano variety used Italian regions—Lombardy for risotto. Risotto variations are made with to the west, Veneto to the seafood, meat and vegetables and one not to east, and Trentino Alto Adige miss is Risi e Bisi, rice cooked with green peas to the north—each guards and chicken broth, then finished with cheese its regional differences and butter. Some say that a proper risi e bisi zealously, as do all Italian should be made with an equal number of peas regions, especially when it to every grain of rice. Unlike risotto made else- comes to food. Because we where, risotto in the Veneto is cooked all’onda, couldn’t take into account meaning until it is wavy or soupy. the different regional vari- eties in this short piece on perfect wine to go with risi e bisi is Prosecco— local gastronomy, we chose Aa classic wine made from grapes grown to the to concentrate on Veneto. north of Venice. Fresh and lively, prosecco comes

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View from top of Monte Baldo looking down on Lake Garda. To the north (far right) is Riva del Garda, to the south (far left) is Sirmione. Photo: David Ruben (Wikimedia Commons).

Scaligera as well as swans that Here Catullus, stare into the deep waters. We Veronese shore, which only root around the banks of the stick to the road till the town becomes hilly around San moat. The crenellated castle is the great poet of recedes and the peninsula Vigilio, at the foothills of magnificent. Built in the 13th Latin antiquity, sang opens up, making room for Monte Baldo. From this very century under the dominion of the beauty of these hotels and spas. The top of spot we catch a glimpse of of Verona’s Cangrande della the promontory, the highest the remains of the Grottoes Scala, it serves as Sirmione’s places and his love for point of the peninsula, boasts of Catullus protruding into marvelous anteroom. The town Lesbia. winning views of the lake. To the lake. Here, the great poet is laid out in the medieval style. the left it encompasses the of Latin antiquity sang of Its narrow cobblestone streets alluring skyline of Desenzano the beauty of these places are lined with small shops, bars combine to form a pleasant and the impressive rocky and his love for Lesbia. Gaius and colorful window displays. and harmonious whole. Near western coast as far as Riva Valerius Catullus was born in Talk about charm. The various the shore, cypresses and laurel del Garda, and to the right Verona in 56 B.C. He lived to houses, hotels and shops trees, myrtles and holm oaks it includes the low-slung the young age of thirty, still

in different styles; the he fish and seafood most popular is spumante, Tfrom the Veneto Lagoon (meaning bubbly), but is renowned, especially there are also frizzante Moleche, also called moeche, (lightly efferevescent) and which are soft shell crabs. tranquillo (still) varieties. The crabs are available for just a few weeks in the nother highlight of spring and fall. Only about AVeneto cooking is Fe- 2 inches in diameter, the soft gato alla Veneziana, calf’s shell crabs are coated in a liver with onions. Sliced light batter and fried in hot onions are slowly cooked oil until crisp and golden. with white wine or vin- egar until soft, tender and o drink with moleche, lightly browned. Then thin Tchoose a Veneto white slices of liver are quickly sauteed until just browned and mixed with wine such as Soave. The the onions. The typical accompaniment is polenta, either soft or wine comes from grapes grilled until crusty. grown in the eastern part of the Province of Verona. egato alla veneziana goes perfectly with Valpolicella, a red wine Soave wine has aromas of Fmade from grapes grown near Lake Garda. It is a fresh and fruity pears and peaches with a red wine with hints of red fruit such as cherry and raspberry. hint of almonds. www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 79 Travel ➜ Lake Garda

Il Vittoriale, home to the poet The Vittoriale and controversial political figure of the early 1900s Gabriele D’Annunzio degli Italiani - Gardone Riviera - that the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio transformed into a mausoleoum filled with mementoes and mythological symbols that celebrated his egolatry.

long enough to pen elegies and meditations of rare intensity. During his life, he split his time between Rome—where he had friends and lovers as well as thorny relationships with Cicero and Caesar Augustus— and at his father’s house in Sirmione, where the poet felt comfortably rooted. During antiquity, Garda witnessed a sharp rise in the number of Romans, thanks in part to the fact that Via Gallica passed just to the south of the lake. That strategically important arterial road connected Mediolanum (Milan) to Aquileia. But Romans also flocked to the place for its beauty and charm, including literary and patrician figures like the poet Virgil and the historian Livy. Now this enchanting town draws a multitude of visitors. In fact all the centers around Garda have become destinations for cultural and sports tourism, the latter drawing fans of water sports and sailing. There The Vittiriale Complex Gabriele D’Annunzio is a steady stream of Italian tourists, but still more come from abroad, in particular Germany, as well as other European countries, North America and, more recently, the Far East.

Magic Desenzano One of the biggest tourist magnets is Desenzano, a beautiful city today regarded as the capital of Garda, given its size (almost 29,000 inhabitants), its abundance of attractions, the quality of its year-round cultural events, and its fine hotels and other accommodations. From

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Sirmione it’s a ten-minute The Sirmione Peninsula drive to one of the parking lots outside the city’s historic center, which is closed to traffic. This manicured urban center is more garden than city, sprinkled with colorful flowers, intriguing vistas and pretty nooks that open out to Lungolago, the boardwalk that spans almost 4 miles, from the hamlet of Rivoltella to the Lido di Lonato. The center of the city has a port from which boats ferry people to the most visited areas of Garda. To the right of the port is a magnificent walkway where you can admire the play of waves against the shore. It’s like walking on water. You can also opt for a seat on one of Lungolago’s benches and appreciate the glittering hills and mountains jutting out against the deep blue waters. At the heart of Desenzano’s historic center is Piazza Malvezzi, distinguished by its porticoes and a statue of Saint Angela Merici. The city’s patron saint was born here in Castello Scaligero (Sirmione) Grotte di Catullo 1474 and founded the Order of the Ursulines. Off in the wings is the Duomo. Desenzano Dedicated to Mary Magdalene and open for worship since 1611, the cathedral houses valuable frescoes by Andrea Celesti and a last supper by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. There are several routes that climb up from the historic center to the highest residential area and forming a kind of amphitheater. The 11th century Castello sits at the summit. The strategic position of the castle suggests it may have been built on top of the ancient Roman castrum. Exquisitely restored by the municipality, it now hosts exhibits and concerts. Not far from the castle lie the stunning ruins of a Roman villa that was developed over several epochs, from the 1st century BC to the 4th AD. Today you can admire the villa’s splendid mosaics, a triclinium, a viridarium with some remaining murals and various lavatories and washrooms. An Antiquarium displays relics from a dig, and the nearby Archaeology Museum, housed in a former church, contains remnants from Bronze Age www.i-Italy.org www.i-ItalyNY.com | Winter 2016-2017 | i-Italy ny | 81 Travel ➜ Lake Garda settlements around Garda. Not All the centers to be missed is an oak plow around Garda from 2000 BC—to this day the oldest object in the history of have become archaeology. Mention should destinations for also be made of a monument cultural and sports in Desenzano commemorating Francesco Agello, an Italian tourism, the latter test pilot who broke the speed drawing fans of water record, once in 1933 and again sports and sailing. in 1934, right here on Lake Garda. In the 1930s, a group There is a steady of pilots formed the famous stream of Italian Reparto Alta Velocità (High tourists, but still more Speed Team) at Desenzano’s seaplane base. With their MC Riva del Garda come from abroad. 72 Mach seaplanes, they would eventually claim three world titles for air speed and break Don’t miss il Vittoriale the 700 km/hour ceiling. Our trip ends in Gardone Riviera, otherwise known Salò as Vittoriale degli Italiani, We hop back on the coastal where it’s impossible for an road and take in the castles and Abruzzese such as myself to fortresses gilding the towns neglect to pay my respects to that dot the hills and shores Gabriele d’Annunzio, even around the lake. Each merits if our understanding of the consideration. Each merits a world differs significantly. visit. The Lonato and Soiano del Born in Pescara in 1863, Lago castles. The impressive d’Annunzio was one of Italy’s castle of Moniga. The fortress greatest poets, dramaturges of Manerba. The castle of San and writers—given his Felice sul Benaco. sheer output and linguistic Our next stop is Salò, an innovation—and the major enchanting town nestled in a figure in the Decadence cove. The town has preserved movement. But he wasn’t some of the pristine counters only a man of letters. He was of a rich and powerful also a politician, journalist medieval village, despite and soldier whose heroic suffering serious damage in and reckless acts became the the tragic earthquake of 1901. stuff of legend: the flight over The splendid historic center Vienna, the mockery, is dominated by a bulky late the endeavor to create a free Gothic cathedral. Inside the state in Fiume. D’Annunzio church are paintings by Paolo proved too troublesome for Veneziano, Zenone Veronese, the fascists. Despite singing and Girolamo Romanino. his praises, they “confined” As the “Magnifica Patria” him to Villa Cargnacco, which capital (traces of which can “Vate” himself rechristened be seen in the precious palace Vittoriale and transformed into connected to the Podestà) Salò a mausoleum—of extravagant was protected by a solid city and highly questionable wall. It is still easy to discern taste—filled with mementoes the old urban layout, despite and mythological symbols that the seismic activity and celebrated his egolatry. There, rebuilding. It takes after the d’Annunzio indulged in his Lungolago. Once a stronghold decadent taste for “excesses,” of the Viscounts of Milan, in living out his days in a gloomy 1426 it fell into the hands of yet gilded solitude, until his the Serenissima Republic of death on March 1, 1938. Today Venice until the end of the the Vittoriale has become 18th century. Salò late garnered a monumental facility and unwelcome notoriety when museum. Vate’s one addition in the fall of 1943 Mussolini is a panoramic open-air established the headquarters theater. The house is currently of his notorious Social Republic managed by the Fondazione there. del Vittoriale. ● ●

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