FEBRUARY MEETING
La battaglia di Nizza
Cav. Valerio Bianco
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| Our February 2000 presentation is an extension of our February 1999
program on the Italian Partisan movement in World War II. In the
1999 program, Valerio Bianco and Harry Burger (alias “Lt.
Biancastella” and author of the book Biancastella: A Jewish Partisan
in World War II) spoke passionately of their experiences as members
of partigiani (freedom fighter) units when they literally put their
lives on the line daily in the mountains of northern Italy to aid the Allies
and help free Italy from German and Fascist domination.
In this presentation, Val Bianco, will focus on the mission of the 9th
Partigiano (Garibaldi) Division, the unit in which he served at the age
of 15 years. Bianco will review the unit’s operations in the area
of Monferrato in the Province of Asti (Piemonte) and describe his experiences
in one specific operation – the battle of the Valley of Nizza fought between
the Partisans and regular German Army units in the closing days of the
war.
Mr. Bianco has been active in the Italian and Italian-American communities
of St. Louis for many years. In 1982, in recognition of his service
to the nation, he was designated a Cavaliere della Repubblica by
the Government of Italy. He has been an active member of the Italian
Club for over 30 years.
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Next Meeting February 16
Cocktails 6:30 PM - Dinner 7:00 PM
Da Baldo's Restaurant
RSVP 644-1645 (Marie Wehrle)
RECAP OF JANUARY MEETING
| 1999 ANNALES OF THE CLUB |
| Gene Mariani, President, called the meeting to order at 8:35
P.M. James Tognoni was formally installed as a Director of
the Club. Gene thanked Pete Puleo, out-going Director, for
his many years of service and contributions. Marie Cuccia-Brand
presented membership applications to Alberto Isidori and Giovanna
Scott, who were admitted into the Club unanimously.
REPORTS
Membership. Gene Mariani reported that the club
has now 140 members. Our focus is to attract individuals seriously
interested in learning more about their heritage and culture primarily
through programs spoken in the English language. If you know of anyone
interested, contact Gene.
Financial. Barbara Klein, Treasurer, reported that
the Club is financially sound and increased its revenue in 1999.
Summary of 1999 Programs. Approximately half of the programs
were given by Club members and half by non-members.
La Rondine. Our newsletter, La Rondine is
produced by Luisa Flynn who writes La Terza Pagina and edits
articles prepared by other members. It has been suggested that brief
biographies of our members be included in the newsletter. The committee
for La Rondine will meet and discuss how this can be accomplished.
The Italian Club Website. Franco Giannotti gave
us a presentation on our website (www.italystl.com/italianclub/)
and showed us how to link to La Rondine and the Italy at St.
Louis website. In January alone, over 8000 people have visited
the website.
Italiano Per Piacere. Franco Giannotti reported that there
have been three meetings to date, beginning on June 2, 1999. Approximately
40-60 people have gathered at these dinner meetings where only Italian
is spoken.
Federation of Italian-American Organizations (FIAO). Pete
Puleo, the Italian Club’s representative to the Federation, provided
us with some history and update on the Federation’s activities. Pete
explained that over two years ago the Italian Consul-General had encouraged
the various Italian organizations in the metropolitan area to cooperate
and meet. Today the Federation has representation from the leaders
of 14 Italian organizations and St. Ambrose Church. The first activity
was an Italian festival at Neiman-Marcus in October, 1999. The Federation
has now leased a small office on Marconi, directly across from St. Ambrose
Church, which will be its headquarters for the next few years. The
long-term goal is to have an Italian Cultural Center. Marie Cuccia-Brand
reported that a grant application was submitted by the Federation to the
St. Louis Community Foundation in December to receive funding for a Young
Artist’s Competition. If the Federation receives the funds, the first
event would take place in the fall of 2000 or spring of 2001. The
competition would be for young musicians who are studying Italian composers.
Italian Language Program at St. Ambrose School. Eleanore
Berra-Marfisi, who is teaching Italian to the Kindergarten, First Grade
and Second Grade students, reported on the program. She explained
that each class meets for one-half hour on Fridays and that she teaches
basic sayings and Italian songs. They have been visited by Pat
Merlo who taught them the Tarantella. This program is
funded by the Italian government.
Columbus Day Corporation. Angela Mazzola, our representative
to the Columbus Day Corporation, reported that the October 1999 Columbus
Day Parade, in which the Italian Club had a booth, was financially successful,
raising over $2000. The Corporation is currently looking at the possibilities
for the 2000 event. She thanked Southwest Bank for their continuous
support of the Columbus Day Parade.
Visit of Consul-General Enrico Granara. Gene Mariani reported
that Consul-General Granara was new to Chicago, having spent the
last few years in Mexico City. He, Dottoressa Anna Fiore,
Coordinator, Educational Programs, Office of the Italian Consulate General-Chicago,
and Gene Farina, Vice-President, North Central Region of the National
Italian American Foundation, visited on January 7 and 8. Consul-General
Granara is interested in the unification of the Italian-American organizations
and wants to work with a coordinated group. He is particularly interested
in programs that promote Italian culture with emphasis on language and
history. The NIAF is interested in working with the Federation.
Member Survey. Barbara Klein announced that 18 surveys
have been received (as of this writing 24 have been received). Because
of the lateness of the evening, the summary of the survey will be reported
in La Rondine.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.
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L'angolo del presidente
by Gene Mariani
| Mea Culpa |
Why is it that whenever I make a list – I always forget someone?
In this case, when I listed our officers, directors, and committee members
in our last issue of La Rondine, I neglected to mention Franco
Giannotti, the Club’s internet webmaster. This oversight was
especially embarrassing given Franco’s terrific January meeting presentation
showing the wealth of information available on our website. Sorry,
Franco and thanks. Also, we neglected to include three members in
our January 2000 Membership Roster. They are: Victoria Bottini,
Joseph
Mangogna, and Victor Tucci. This issue of La Rondine
includes an addendum page. Keep it with your new membership roster.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
| RAVA MEMORIAL LECTURE |
University of Chicago Professor Elissa Weaver, specialist in
early modern Italian literature, will present the Rava Memorial Lecture
in WU’s Brookings Hall February 25 at 8:00 P.M. Professor Weaver
will speak on the literary work and life of Arcangela Tarabotti, a Roman
Catholic nun, actively concerned with the place and role of women in Venetian
society of the Baroque period. The lecture will be in English and
admission is free. For more information, call the WU Italian Dept.
at 935-5175. |
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FERRO e STELLA
Ferro e Stella examines Jewish community life in Renaissance
Brescia through a series of xylographies (woodcuts) from the typography
studio of Ghersom Soncino. The exhibition will run from February
18 through March 31, 2000 in the McNamee Gallery of St. Louis University’s
Samuel Cupples House. Hours are from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. Tuesday –
Saturday. Free admission. The overall exhibition will include
the following programs. For more information call 314.977.3022.
Lecture: 2 P.M. Saturday, February 19.
Exhibition curator, journalist and historian Professor Franco Bontempi
will speak on the history of Jewish communities in northern Renaissance
Italy. Free admission.
Tour: 11 A.M. Thursday, February 24.
SLU Art History Professor Cynthia Stollhans, Ph.D. will conduct
a walking tour of Italian renaissance paintings in the Cupples House Collection.
Free admission.
Concert: 7 P.M. Friday, February 25. Italian pianist
Maurizio
Baglini will perform a program of Bach, Schumann, Corghi and Liszt.
Mr. Baglini’s appearance is sponsored by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura,
Chicago. Admission $10. Students free. Reservations:
314.977.3575.
Exhibition Tour: 2 P.M. Tuesday, March 14. Italian
Club member Dottoressa Carla Bossola, of SLU’s Department of Modern
and Classical Languages and an Istituto Italiano di Cultura lecturer,
will conduct a tour of the Ferro E Stella exhibition. In Italian.
Free admission.
Lecture: 4 P.M. Tuesday, March 14. The Church and
the Jews: Social, Economic and Theological Issues in the 16th Century
by Brother Steve
Lecture: 2 P.M. Saturday, February 19. Exhibition
curator, journalist and historian Professor Franco Bontempi will
speak on the history of Jewish communities in northern Renaissance Italy.
Free admission.
Tour: 11 A.M. Thursday, February 24. SLU Art
History Professor Cynthia Stollhans, Ph.D. will conduct a
walking tour of Italian renaissance paintings in the Cupples House Collection.
Free admission.
Concert: 7 P.M. Friday, February 25. Italian pianist
Maurizio
Baglini will perform a program of Bach, Schumann, Corghi and Liszt.
Mr. Baglini’s appearance is sponsored by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura,
Chicago. Admission $10. Students free. Reservations:
314.977.3575.
Exhibition Tour: 2 P.M. Tuesday, March 14. Italian
Club member Dottoressa Carla Bossola, of SLU’s Department of Modern
and Classical Languages and an Istituto Italiano di Cultura lecturer, will
conduct a tour of the Ferro E Stella exhibition. In Italian.
Free admission.
Lecture: 4 P.M. Tuesday, March 14. The
Church and the Jews: Social, Economic and Theological Issues in the
16th Century by Brother Steve McMichaels, Adjunct Professor
of Theology, SLU. Free admission |
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SUMMARY OF MEMBER SURVEY
| A total of 24 replies were received in last month’s Member Survey.
While this may seem to be a small number, it actually represents a good
return. Many thanks to those members who took the time to answer
the questions and included e-mail addresses. We received many interesting
ideas, comments, and suggestions. Unfortunately, there is insufficient
space in this newsletter to list in detail all the information contained
in the survey returns, so this is an attempt to summarize what seems to
be general results and conclusions. The Board will try to incorporate
as many of these ideas as it can during the coming year.
I. Programs
Of the 24 replies, 17 members rated our programs very good, 6 good, and
1 fair. Members would like to see a more even balance of presenters
between Club members and non-members. With regard to topics, members
recommended some “lighter” programs rather than all serious topics.
Specifically, members would like to see some programs dealing with language,
travel, and food and wine. Also, more “activities” such as the Tower
Grove Park tour and the tour of the Cathedral mosaics.
II. La Rondine
Members like our monthly newsletter, La Rondine. All 24 replies
said they are satisfied with it, however not everyone reads all of it.
A total of 19 members read most of it every month and 5 read some of it.
Recommendations were made for the addition of a “Member Profile” section,
some recipes now and then, and more information about Federation activities.
III. Dinners
Twenty-two members were “satisfied” with our dinners; there were two abstentions.
Members would like to see faster service, if possible, without increasing
cost, occasional substitution of such items as risotto or gnocchi for the
pasta and perhaps different forms of pasta such as lasagna or ravioli.
Also it was suggested that some way be worked out for different people
to sit together occasionally in order to get members to know each other
better. With regard to the question of having occasional “gourmet”
dinners at higher cost (as we did at Christmas), 13 members were in favor,
8 were not, and 3 abstained.
IV. Meetings
Members are generally satisfied with the format of our meetings (21 of
24). There was 1 member not satisfied and 2 abstentions. Recommendations
were that there should be more time available for socializing and conversation
and to get to know each other better. It was suggested that one way
to do this would be to start meetings earlier.
V. Organization
It was suggested that more committees be formed to plan and organize certain
activities better, for example, such areas as Entertainment, Activities,
or Membership. This would enable the Club to do more plus get more
members actively involved. Another interesting suggestion was that
the Club “adopt” a worthwhile group or organization and assist it on a
regular basis – an example would be to “adopt” the Italian language program
at St. Ambrose School. |
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I capolavori della poesia italiana
18. Giambattista Marino (Napoli 1569 – 1625) condusse una vita movimentata
spostandosi da una corte all’altra al servizio di famose signorie.
Soggiornò a lungo a Parigi (dove ottenne fama e onori) chiamatovi
da Maria de’ Medici, vedova di Enrico IV.
Il Marino è il poeta più rappresentativo della corrente
letteraria barocca (che da lui prese il nome di marinismo) non solo
per il suo distacco definitivo dai modelli poetici rinascimentali, ma anche
e soprattutto per l’uso virtuoso della parola. La sua poesia,
benché appesantita dall’uso eccessivo della metafora, è tuttavia
piacevole per la vena musicale e sensuale.
In Amori di pesci è presente il forte interesse per
l’esotico, lo strano e il bizzarro. I pesci, rappresentanti di un
mondo gelido e viscido, cambiano, per amore, la loro originaria natura.
Amori di pesci
di Giambattista Marino
Oggi, là dove il destro fianco
ad Ischia1
rode il Tirren col suo continuo picchio2,
vidi conca3 con conca e nicchio4
e nicchio
baciarsi, e come a l’un l’altro si mischia;
e la biscia del mar, che pur s’arrischia
venirne5 infin colà presso il
crocicchio,
ove del sole al luminoso spicchio
la chiama l’angue innamorato6 e fischia.
E vidi ancor d’amor l’algente7
anguilla
arder fra l’acque, e gir8 di grotta
in grotta,
i lor maschi seguendo, occhiate e salpe9.
Né però vidi mai, perfida Lilla,
Te fatta a me cortese, e, se non rotta,
Men dura, del tuo cor la rigid’alpe10.
1 la costa occidentale di Ischia.
2 il Tirreno erode con il continuo frangersi dei flutti..
3
conchiglia. 4 mollusco. 5
a venire dal mare. 6 il serpente innamorato.
7
l’algida.
8 andare. 9
due tipi di pesci. 10 meno duro della
roccia delle Alpi.
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LA STORIA D’ITALIA
| (Continua dal numero precedente)
8. Roma e Cartagine. Per più di due
secoli le relazioni fra Roma e Cartagine erano rimaste amichevoli; infatti
un primo trattato di amicizia tra le due potenze, riferito da Polibio al
509 A.C., costituisce il più antico documento sulle relazioni internazionali
di Roma. Nel 306, i rapporti furono rinforzati dalla reciproca accettazione
della supremazia di Roma sull’Italia e di Cartagine sulla Sicilia e più
tardi, nel 278, fu stipulata una nuova alleanza militare con Pirro.
Ma compiuta l'unità della penisola, Roma era ora spinta verso il
mare per cercarvi la sicurezza e il fondamento della sua potenza.
Era venuto il momento in cui la conquista della Magna Grecia doveva essere
completata dalla conquista della Sicilia anche a costo di una guerra contro
Cartagine.
I Cartaginesi, dediti quasi esclusivamente ai commerci e all'espansione
coloniale, possedevano una potenza navale di prim'ordine, forte e sperimentata,
ma un esercito di terra formato da elementi mercenari. Roma era invece
una forte e sperimentata potenza militare fondata essenzialmente sull'agricoltura
e sulla proprietà terriera dei suoi cittadini, pronti a difendere
la patria. Questa differenza fra i due grandi antagonisti ci fa capire
le profonde ragioni del trionfo finale di Roma.
La prima guerra punica (264-241 A.C.). L’occasione della
guerra fu offerta dai
Mamertini, soldati mercenari italici che prendevano il nome da Mamers,
nome osco di Marte. Licenziati dal governo siracusano, invece di
ritornare alla loro patria si impadronirono di Messina e chiesero aiuto
ai Romani (Polibio Storie I,11), che mandarono un esercito a Messina sotto
il comando di Appio Claudio Caudice. I Cartaginesi concentrarono
tutte le loro forze presso Messina ma furono sconfitti, mentre i Romani
riuscirono ad occupare Agrigento.
 I Romani, che in
realtà conoscevano da tempo
l'arte navale, poterono provvedere alla rapida costruzione della flotta
perché padroni dell'Etruria e delle città greche dell'Italia
Meridionale, da cui potevano ottenere navi, marinai e rematori. Una
prima flotta, al comando del console Gaio Duilio, presso il promontorio
di Mibe (Milazzo) riportò una grande vittoria navale sulla flotta
cartaginese, stimata quasi invincibile.  La
vittoria fu in gran parte dovuta al sistema di ponti a uncini (corvi) per
l'abbordaggio, che permetteva di trasformare la battaglia navale in tanti
piccoli combattimenti di fanti a corpo a corpo, in cui i Romani erano assai
superiori al nemico.
Nell'anno 256, una nuova poderosa flotta sotto il comando dei
consoli Attilio Regolo e Manlio Vulsone, sbaragliata la flotta cartaginese
al Capo Ecnomo presso Licata, sbarcò l'esercito in Africa ma fu
sconfitto. Fallito il tentativo africano, la Sicilia rimase il teatro
della guerra dal 255 al 242, gli anni più difficili. Nel 241,
dopo una disastrosa battaglia navale, Cartagine chiese e ottenne la pace
rinunciando al possesso della Sicilia e a far guerre senza il consenso
romano.
(continua al prossimo numero)
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