Culture

On December 26, 1900, Enrico Caruso celebrated the Christmas season with his debut at La Scala by performing the part of Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème with Arturo Toscanini conducting. As his career advanced, he went on to please …

“Santa Lucia, luntana ‘a te, quanta malincunia! Se gira ‘o munno sano, se va a cerca’ fortuna, ma quanno sponta ‘a luna, luntana a Napule nun se po’ sta!”.    È la strofa della canzone Santa Lucia, scritta da E.A. …

La Croisette, movie stars, photographers, premieres, parties and a portrait of Marcello Mastroianni from Fellini’s movie 8 ½ looking straight at you from his dark glasses slightly lowered on his nose: Cannes 2014. Looks like Italian cinema is living a …

In May 1988, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) was founded with the aim of coordinating the Government’s projects and investments in this sector, started in the mid-1960s. Nowadays, ASI plays a crucial role within the European Space Agency and collaborates …

Sometimes speed really makes the difference – like if you are a police officer chasing criminals on the Italian highways -, and this must be the assumption upon which the long-standing relationship between Lamborghini and Italy’s State Police is based. …

One of the largest amphibious invasions ever to take place in world history began on June 6th, 1944. Against all odds American, Canadian and English troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France and were confronted by a barrage of German …

I’ve reviewed factors that are important in determining an immigrant ancestor’s name as it was used in Italy and Sicily.     Once the name is known it can be used in searching for other information about the person, that …

Dear Readers, A May mix of Italian connections: Aldo Colombini (1951-2014) left us recently and the world of magic lost one of its greatest contributors. Aldo was my husband’s favorite magician and when we celebrated fifty years of matrimonial magic …

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, or perhaps Giuseppe Balsamo, man of mystery, magician, physician, alchemist, philanthropist or con artist?  Whatever it may be, there is no doubt he was one of the world’s most colorful, and still controversial, characters.     …

Oggi esordisco con una poesia, il Sonetto di Paradiso da “Cuor morituro (1925-1930)” di Umberto Saba (1883 – 1957).   Mi viene in sogno una bianca casetta, sull’erto colle, dentro un’aria affatto tranquilla; e il verde del colle è compatto e …