LIFE & PEOPLE

Composed in 1898, ’O Sole Mio is among the most iconic songs to emerge from Italy. Its creation was a collaborative effort between Giovanni Capurro, a poet and journalist, and Eduardo di Capua, a composer. Capurro’s lyrics paint a vivid …

The bond between Italian music and America has always been strong, with melodies and traditions crossing oceans and blending cultures. Among the many iconic songs linked to this connection, That’s Amore is probably among the most iconic. Performed by the …

Calabria, the southern tip of Italy’s mainland, is home to Christmas traditions that are as lively as they are deeply rooted in faith and community. Over the years, some of these customs have faded, yet they remain a powerful reflection …

Recently, I stumbled upon an interesting article online about the wisdom of Italian proverbs. Needless to say, the ones from Naples stood out as particularly colorful and direct, just like the city itself and just like its people. Their blend …

The Regata delle Befane is a cherished Venetian tradition held annually on January 6th, coinciding with the celebration of the Epiphany. It is a whimsical event featuring veteran rowers from the Reale Società Canottieri Bucintoro, Venice’s oldest rowing club, founded …

Italy’s Christmas season is unfolding, and there is so much to see, experience, try, and learn about. Because if there is something this time of the year makes its own across  the Belpaese is variety.  From the Alpine peaks of …

Giuseppe Verdi is one of Italy’s greatest composers, a symbol of national pride whose music has left an indelible mark on both the operatic tradition and Italian identity.  Born in 1813 in Le Roncole, a small village in Parma, Verdi …

Compiano is a medieval village in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, located in the Apennines, about 50 miles southwest of Parma. It sits at an elevation of roughly 1,640 feet, and offers stunning views of the hills and fertile valleys that define …

Ortisei, known as Urtijëi in Ladin and St. Ulrich in German, is a charming town in Italy’s Val Gardena, within the Dolomites of South Tyrol. Approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Bolzano, the provincial capital, Ortisei is famous for …

The Canto a Tenore tradition is an ancient vocal style from Sardinia, recognized as one of the island’s most exceptional cultural expressions. This vocal art form reflects the island’s pastoral heritage, and was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and …