Italian Historical Society of Americanewsletter
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Italian Historical Society of America Newsletter AUGUST 2017 BY JANICE THERESE MANCUSO VOLUME 13, NUMBER 8 Tutto Italiano Benvenuto a Tutto Italiano Nestled in the Po Valley, not too far from the Po River, the city of Cremona (region of Lombardia) is a convergence of medieval buildings and Renaissance culture, with an ongoing tribute to its past. The former Roman military outpost is the center of “traditional violin craftsmanship” and in 2012 was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The architectural highlight of the town is the bell tower, Torrazzo, the tallest in Italy, “the oldest brick structure taller than 100 m still standing” (367-feet tall), and displaying one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world. Its “violin craftsmanship” began in the mid-1550s with Andrea Amati. While string instruments date back to earlier times, Amati – luthier (one who repairs or makes string instruments) and founder of a violin-making school – modified the design, and is credited as the inventor of the violin in the form used today. His sons, Antonio and Girolomo, became violin makers, and his grandson, Nicolò (son of Girolomo) instructed Antonio Stradivari and the grandfather of Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù on the fine art of violin making. As the craft of violin making passed through each generation, famous composers wrote music for the string instrument – Claudio Monteverdi in the 1600s, Antonio Vivaldi in the 1700s, and Nicolò Paganini in the 1800s – adding to its recognition in the orchestra. Stradivari is considered the maestro violin maker, and each violin, whether referred to as a Stradivarius or the informal “Strad,” is renowned not only as a musical instrument, but also as a collectible piece of art. Although not as well known to the general public, the violins of Guarneri del Gesù – which produce a deeper, more robust sound – are also regarded as masterpieces in musical instruments and in collections. Centuries ago, three families created the foundation of violin making, and the Cremonese tradition continues, now cultivated by artisans making violins and offering instruction on making violins. Many luthier’s workshops line the streets of Cremona, and two schools – Academia Cremonensis and the Cremona International Violin Making School – offer extensive courses. Cremona is host to Cremona Mondomusica, “the most important global event for professionals in the world of violin making and great music,” and Festival Stradivari, a series of concerts featuring string instruments. Both are annual events taking place in late September through early October. Around the same time every three years, Ente Triennale Internazionale Strumenti, a violin making competition, is held. Only newer string instruments made in the traditional style are accepted and instruments are judged on “artistic/constructional qualities” and “acoustic characteristics.” The next competition will be in 2018. (See 2012 guidelines.) Cremona is also the home of Museo del Violino, a violin museum where “visitors can explore five centuries of violinmaking in Cremona directly through the great master violinmakers – Amati, Stradivari, Guarneri – and their outstanding instruments by following the well-balanced blend of art and craftsmanship, tradition and innovation which flows from late Renaissance to contemporary violinmaking workshops.” View from the Bell Tower Andrea Amati 1505-1577 (Presentation Paper by noted violin maker and historian Roger Hargrove) Andrea Amati Violin Violin Makers of the Amati Family Bowed Stringed Instruments by Andrea Amati (National Music Museum/University of South Dakota) Stradivari and Guarneri: Hear Both Violins (YouTube Video) The Brilliance of a Stradivari Violin Might Rest Within Its Wood (NYT; December 2016) Friends of Stradivari The Violin-Makers of Cremona (Italy Magazine; January 2012) A Stone Carver’s Indelible Mark In 2009, Lou Del Bianco began his quest to honor his namesake and grandfather, Luigi Del Bianco, chief carver of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. He created a website and started to gather documents that noted Luigi’s importance in creating the national monument. Lou contacted park officials to not only ask questions about the lack of information regarding his grandfather’s work, but also to inform them of Luigi’s work in completing Mount Rushmore. Lou received support from his family, friends, and the community; as well as from Italians and Italian Americans nationwide. He continued to promote his grandfather’s work through various media outlets, a documentary film, several books, and numerous events including a memorial dedication in Port Chester, New York. (Luigi was an Italian native who settled in Port Chester when he returned to America in 1920.) Lou, an actor and storyteller, also made several presentations about his grandfather at Mount Rushmore. In Luigi’s persona, he talked about carving the eyes of Abraham Lincoln, and receiving a request from John Gutzon Borglum, designer and supervisor of the monument, to repair a foot-wide crack in Thomas Jefferson’s lip. After many years of working diligently to request that Luigi Del Bianco’s extraordinary stone-carving skills of Mount Rushmore receive proper recognition, Lou has honored the legacy of his grandfather. On September 16th, the National Park Service is installing a plaque at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial to honor the work of Luigi Del Bianco. If you live near Mount Rushmore or will be visiting, make plans to attend this very special ceremony honoring an Italian stone-carver’s incredible contribution to America. Press Release: Luigi Del Bianco To Be Officially Recognized As Chief Carver On The Mount Rushmore National Memorial Through Lincoln’s Eyes: The Fight for Luigi Del Bianco’s Legacy (YouTube Video) From the Italian American Press Read about Italian culture and heritage. New books have been added to the Italian American Press. Future issues of Tutto Italiano will feature author interviews. Beppo - A Calabrian Tale by Frank P. Riga Set in Calabria in 1901, Beppo plans to improve the lives of his fellow villagers; but when falsely accused of the attempted murder of his ambitious and greedy adversary, he escapes to the mountains and eventually decides to go to America. Big Mamma’s Italian-American Cookbook by Lee Casazza A family’s story in an easy-to-follow cookbook filled with over four generations of authentic Italian-American recipes, each with a full color photo. Casada, A History of an Italian Village and Its People by Anna Comis and Isabel Comis Degenaars Connected by a shared lineage and a cherished affection for their homeland, but separated by time and culture, two cousins write about their villages – one nestled in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy and the other in the coal mines of western Pennsylvania. Cat Lady (Narrative Poem) by Mary M. Schmidt An elderly gattara (cat lady) possesses an amazing power to grant a cardinal’s final wish through her communication with the feral cats of Rome. Godfather and Sons: A Legacy of Deceit by Angelo S. Pagnotti, Sr. A grandfather’s journal reveals family secrets as it traces the history from Italy to America of a young man searching for his father in the early 1900s. I Am John I Am Paul: A Story of Two Soldiers in Ancient Rome by Mark Tedesco In fourth-century Rome, amid battles and the beginnings of Christianity, two solders share a bond in their beliefs, leading them to face adversity. Pit Stops, Pitfalls & Olive Pits by John Tabellione A guide to driving through Italy, from renting a car to navigating the Autostrada, buying gas, and paying tolls, with numerous driving tips and some dining and hotel recommendation. Song of the Flutist by Rosalind Burgundy Etruria, the first wealthy civilization of Italy, comes alive through a cast of brilliant characters ruled by gods who give them purpose for success, and passion to create eternal beauty amidst pestilence, tyranny, deceit and murder. Spaghetti & Meatballs: Growing Up Italian by Diana Pishner Walker Fond childhood memories of family, holidays, and special occasions celebrated with Italian traditions; recipes included. NIAF Photography Contest The theme of the fifth annual photography contest is “That’s Amore!” Although about love, pictures do not have to be “exclusively romantic.” Submissions “can also reflect love and passion for all things Italian, from a lovely cappuccino to a shimmering view of a Calabria beach, from a perfect pizzaiolo to an exquisite glass of Barolo. However, photos with a human element earn more points than without. Submissions may be funny, poignant, breathtaking, heartfelt or simply beautiful.” For more information, click here. Contest deadline is October 10th. 2016 Winners: “An Italian Moment” Buon anno, buon tutto, buona vita, Janice Therese Mancuso Author of Con Amore The Italian American Press Thirty-One Days of Italians *~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~ *~<>~* Please Note: On the date of publication, the links in this newsletter were current. In older newsletters, some links may be inactive if the URL has changed or is no longer available. August 2017: Volume 14, Issue 8 ©2017 by Janice Therese Mancuso. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission except when quoted for promotional purposes. Publish with this credit: Excerpted from Tutto Italiano ©2017 by Janice Therese Mancuso. www.jtmancuso.com .