Vol. 53 â–Ş No. 9 Washington D.C.
An Italian American Gazette of the Greater Washington D.C. Area
Pope To Visit Philadelphia in 2015 The Vatican rarely announces Papal trips more than six months in advance, but Pope Francis confirmed to a television reporter recently that he will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., for the city's World Meeting of Families on September 22 to 27, 2015. Pope Francis later indicated that during that trip he might also visit Washington D.C. and New York. Pope Francis is not known to travel extensively, and he did not travel much even before becoming Pope in 2013. He and Pope John XXIII are the only pontiffs within the past eighty years who had never traveled to the United States before being appointed popes.
September 2014 $1.50
Villa Rosa Italian Festival Draws Large Crowd
Thousands of local Italian Americans and friends enjoy annual festa
Pope Francis
The grounds of Villa Rosa in Mitchellville, Md., played host to the annual Italian Festival on Sunday, September 7. An estimated 5,000 people attended. The festival was organized by Darlene DiBattista, who was assisted by a legion of volunteers. (Darlene is pictured at top left with her husband Nick, daughter Gabriella and Fr. Ezio Marchetto.) Festivities began with the celebration of Mass by Fr. Ezio, assisted by Fr. Alex Dalpiaz. Numerous food
stands offered grilled chicken, sausage, pizza, polenta, cannoli, gelato, and more. Two bands entertained the crowds: The Four C Notes, who recreated the music the Four Seasons, and the Monaldi Brothers Band. Vendors who donated goods and services included Vaccaro's Desserts, Turano Baking Co., Litteri Inc., Sorrento Trattoria, Good Time Amusements, Clowns 4U, Hartman Bros., and Dolci Gelati. (See page 4 for more photos.)
INSIDE
So far, Pope Francis has limited himself to visiting particularly troubled parts of the globe. This past spring he went to the Middle East, stopping in Israel, Jordan and Palestine, and praying for a peaceful resolution of the turmoil in the region. This summer he visited South Korea, where he held a Mass for "peace and reconciliation" of the divided Korean peninsula. On the Pope's schedule this fall is a trip to Turkey, the predominately Muslim country. Orthodox church officials in Istanbul said they expected the pope to attend a commemoration in honor of the disciple St. Andrew, whose feast day falls on November 30.
Licia Albanese 2
Piero di Cosimo 3
The Arditi in WWI 7
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Washington D.C., September 2014
Prima Donna Assoluta, Licia Albanese, Dies at 105
Puccini specialist was famous for roles in Madame Butterfly and La Boheme Licia Albanese, one of the most admired sopranos of the mid-20th century, died recently in New York City at the age of 105. The opera star was known for her unusually beautiful voice, passionate intensity and nuanced dramatic skills. "She seemed to inhabit her characters--in particular Puccini's doomed fragile heroines--more fully than almost any other singer," according to the New York Times. Felicia Albanese was born in Bari, Italy, in 1909. She began singing as a child and made her debut in Milan in 1934, as an understudy for the role of
Licia Albanese
Corsi integrativi di Lingua e Cultura Italiana anno scolastico 2014-15 Dalle elementari al liceo imparare l'italiano come prima lingua e` possibile con i "Corsi integrativi di Lingua e Cultura Italiana" Date ai vostri figli l'opportunita` di diventare perfettamente biblingue e di mantenere anche all'estero le radici della prorpia cultura.Se risiedete temporaneamente all'estero e prevedete di rientrare in Italia, l'attestato di frequenza ai corsi permettera` ai vostri figli di inserirsi nella
giusta classe di appartenenza. I corsi integrativi coprono l'intero ciclo della scuola primaria e secondaria. Hanno una durata di 30 settimane per un totale di 60 ore effettive di lezione che si tengono da settembre a giugno. I corsi terminato con una prova di valutazione finale, la consegna del documento di valutazione e del certificato di frequenza. Per saperne di piu` visitate il sito www. entegestore.org.
Avviso: Elezioni Comites 2014 A seguito della pubblicazione del Decreto Legge 1 agosto 2014 n. 109 (suscettibile, tuttavia, di modifica in Sede di conversione parlamentare) ed in vista delle prossime elezioni dei Comitati degli Italiani all'Estero – in data da stabilirsi – è prevista l'ammissione al voto, che si svolgerà per corrispondenza, degli elettori che abbiano fatto pervenire a questo Ufficio Consolare domanda di iscrizione nell'elenco elettorale (compilando il modulo allegato) almeno cinquanta giorni prima della data delle votazioni. I connazionali interessati a esercitare il diritto di voto per l'elezione dei COMITES ed appartenenti a questa circoscrizione consolare possono inviare fin d'ora una richiesta accludendo ognuno copia del proprio documento di identità,
debitamente firmato dal suo titolare, con le seguenti modalità: all'indirizzo e-mail: washington.comites@esteri.it per telefax: +1 202.518. 2142 per posta: Ambasciata d’Italia in Washington, Sezione Consolare, Ufficio Elezioni Comites 3000, Whitehaven St. NW Washington D.C. 20008
Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly, a part she would perform more than 300 times during her life. In 1939, she moved to New York and the following year, made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera, where she would sing in more than 400 operatic productions. Aside from Madame Butterfly, Albanese was also famous for her roles as Mimi in La Boheme, Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata, and Susanna in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, among others. She collaborated frequently with legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini, and with Ezio Pinza, noted Italian bass singer. In the 1940s, she became a U.S. citizen and married Joseph Gimma, a Wall St. broker. They later established the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, which helps support rising singers. Albanese received the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton in 1995.
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Noted Briefly... ►Scaffolding is starting to come off parts of the Colosseum, unveiling restored arcades. This is the initial stage of the monument's $35 million restoration project funded by Diego Della Valle, owner of the luxury leather-goods maker Tod's. ► Pope Francis, who is wildly popular around the world, has yet to be formally congratulated by the U.S. House of Representatives--further sign of the deep divisions in this Congress. The problem is that the House has not been able to muster enough bipartisan support to pass a resolution about the Pope's election more than 18 months ago. ►After nearly 40 years, Beretta USA, a firearms maker, is moving its manufacturing operations from its factory in Accokeek, Maryland, to Nashville, Tennessee, a move that will eliminate 160 jobs. A spokesman for the Beretta said that the company was concerned about Maryland's new gun laws and wanted to control their "own destiny." ►Carlo Bergonzi, a celebrated Italian tenor, died recently in Milan at age 90. During his long career, Bergonzi performed at Milan's La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera in N.Y. and even locally with the Washington Opera. He was born in Polesine, near Parma, where he will be buried. ►Robert Panara, 94, a preeminent scholar in the field of deaf studies (he was deaf himself), a writer, poet, and noted professor, died recently in Rochester, N.Y. The son of Italian immigrants, he was born in the Bronx. Panara's achievements included translating Shakespearian plays into sign language.
(301) 942-2266 Email: Jplamari@msn.com Web: AttorneyLamari.com
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SUITE 404 ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850 (301) 762-2018 FAX: (301) 762-0999
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Washington D.C., September 2014
Works of Renaissance Giant Piero di Cosimo Coming to National Gallery
ART
The Renaissance’s â€&#x;most spellbinding storyteller.â€? An exhibition devoted to the Renaissance painter Piero di Cosimo will open at the National Gallery on February 1, 2015. This marks the first major retrospective devoted to the Florentine master and the first time a large number of his paintings have been shown together since the late 1930s, when seven works were shown in a New York gallery. "We are delighted to share the brilliance of Piero di Cosimo--the Renaissance's most spellbinding storyteller--with our visitors," said Earl A. Powell III, director of the National Gallery in a gallery statement. Piero di Cosimo was born in 1462, the son a goldsmith in Florence. A student of Cosimo Rosselli, he began his career around 1480. The following year he went to Rome to help Rosselli paint the Sistine Chapel. A painter of the Florentine School and a contemporary of Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, he
was known in his day for his versatility as a painter of a variety of subjects, from the sacred to the profane. He stands out for his meticulous attention to detail and the infusion of fables, fantasy and
unresolved drama into his pieces. He aquired a reputation as an eccentric and a phobic who feared fire and rarely cooked his food. In his later years he became gloomy and erratic. The famous
Piero de Cosimo: The Visitation with Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony Abbot.
Michelangelo Buonarroti: A Life in Six Masterpieces MICHELANGELO: A LIFE IN SIX MASTERPIECES by Miles J. Unger Simon & Schuster, 431 pp. Hundreds of biographies and scholarly works, not to mention Irving Stone's classic, The Agony and the Ecstacy, have devoted their pages to Michelangelo Buonarroti, master of Renaissance art. Now, in a unique approach, art historian Miles Unger tells the life of Michelangelo through six of the artist's paintings. The works he chooses are among his most famous: the Pieta, David, two Sistine Chapel frescoes, the Medici Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Michelangelo is not only the greatest artist of his age but he is also credited with fusing together the artist and his work. Before him, it was the patrons of the arts who were considered the driving forces behind art works. But Michelangelo insisted that he
was the master, the creator of his pieces, thereby often clashing with his financial backers. In standing firm to his beliefs, Michelangelo reinvented the role of artists and of art itself. Through these six masterpieces, Unger narrates the astonishing life of this artistic genius who lived in an age of artistic giants. Each work shows the artist's progression, from the Pieta, which he carved as a young man to the gigantic David, depicting a man in the glory of his youth, to the Last Judgment, the work of an old man with a lifetime behind him. For each piece, Unger provides artistic details, along with anecdotes that bring Michelangelo to life. We learn that he was driven, eccentric, bad-tempered, self-centered, and antisocial. He procrastinated and often abandoned projects. He barely ate enough to survive and got little rest, yet he lived into his eighties. His life (1475-1564) spanned nine popes, many wars, and the passage from medieval times to the High Renaissance
art historian Giorgio Vasari once wrote that Piero did not clean his studio or trim his fruit trees and lived "more like a beast than a man." Piero contracted the plague and died in 1522. The National Gallery exhibition will showcase his wide-ranging scope. On display will be altarpieces, images for private devotion, portraits, and mythological and allegorical scenes. The exhibit will include 40 works attributed to the artist, but because his works are not signed and dated, definitive attribution has proven difficult in some cases, according to art experts. Several religious works, influenced by Leonardo da Vinci, are the highlights of the show, such as Madonna and Child with Two Musician Angels, and The Visitation with Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony Abbot. The exhibition will run through May 3, 2015. It will continue in a different version at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, next summer.
BOOKS
At left, Michelangelo's David. Above, St. Peter's Basilica. to the Reformation. He was revolutionary, controversial, and was quick to make enemies, even among princes. Yet, as Unger shows, he often preferred the company of humble bricklayers. As Unger also shows, Michelangelo's legacy was to promote the value of art beyond the political and commercial uses of his time.
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Washington D.C., September 2014
Italian Festival Tradition Continues on Grounds of Villa Rosa Continued from page 1
Washington D.C., September 2014
5 COMMUNITY NEWS
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Washington D.C., September 2014 Editor-in-Chief: Fr. Ezio Marchetto, C.S. Executive Editor: Francesco Isgrò Editorial Board: Pino Cicala, Enrico
Founded in 1960 Davoli, Dona De Sanctis, Anna Isgrò, An Italian American Gazette Gemma Puglisi, Fred Rotondaro of the Greater Washington D.C. Area 595 Third Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Board of Trustees: Franco Nuschese, Stephanie Razzano, Beatrice Tierney
Voce Italiana
“Those People” “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Mt. 5,11-12). When we talked about persecution of Christians, we used to refer to the early life of the Church, when Roman Emperors tried, and failed, to eliminate the message of Christ. In more recent years, though, more and more news stories about the persecution and killing of Christians because of their religious beliefs are being reported. In the editorial of the March issue of Voce Italiana, I referred to this tragedy. In recent weeks once again we heard of the painful fate of Christian communities in Iraq. A little more than a decade ago, Mosul was home to 60,000 Christians who practiced their religion in the midst of their Muslim neighbors in Iraq's second-largest city. No more. Early last month, Muslim extremists who had captured the city ordered all Christians to convert to Islam, pay a tax or face execution. They later revoked the tax as an option. The result has been a mass exodus of Christians with an armed group prohibiting some of them from taking anything but the clothes on their backs. Hearing of this event, the reaction of many people in our community has been to hope for a strong military intervention to eliminate “those people.” I do not know if the military response is the right answer, what I do know is what Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt. 5,44).
Pope Francis: Ten Top Secrets to Happiness
These words are a great challenge at the moment, especially for those who are living under the harshness of persecution and the danger of death. If history teaches us anything, it is that persecution makes values stronger. Martyrs’ witnesses challenge the values of those who persecute, and show the weakness of their religion. We have the responsibility of sustaining our mistreated brothers and sisters and to speak out in their defense, always keeping in mind Jesus’ words. I do believe that the oppression of Christians shows the darker side of fanatical religion and makes it weaker. History shows that after a time of persecution, a great time of growth will follow. Our prayers are for this painful moment to pass swiftly and the time of peace and prosperity to come soon, when our brothers and sisters can stand up and without fear proclaim the message of Our Lord Jesus Christ. --Fr. Ezio Marchetto
“We have the
responsibility of sustaining our mistreated brothers and sisters, and to speak out in their defense.”
CASA ITALIANACCC
CASA ITALIANA SOCIOCULTURAL CENTER
595 Third Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001-2703 202-638-0165 casaitaldc@gmail.com Casa Italiana provides a lovely Renaissance-style setting for weddings, receptions, anniversaries and other special occasions.
In a recent interview with the Argentine weekly, Viva, the Pope listed his top ten tips for achieving greater happiness: 1. Live and let live. "Move forward and let others do the same." 2. Give of yourself to others. Be open and generous."Stagnant water becomes putrid." 3. Proceed calmly in life. "Move with kindness and humility." 4. Develop a healthy culture of leisure. "Consumerism has brought us anxiety...turn off the TV, which doesn't let you communicate" with each other. 5. Sundays are for family. Sundays should be holidays universally.
6. Create dignified jobs for young people. If they have no opportunities they will turn to drugs, or suicide. 7. Respect and take care of nature. "Isn't humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?" 8. Let go of negativity. Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy. 9. Don't proselytize; respect each other's beliefs. "We can inspire others through witness...The church grows by attraction, not by proselytizing." 10. Work for peace. "We are living in a time of many wars. The call for peace must be shouted."
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I have really been enjoying reading Voce Italiana. It's so full of good information. I like the article in the latest issue on the subject of immigration, and Fr. Ezio's article on climate change and migration in the previous issue was excellent, too.
I am going to bring my copy to my Italian class this evening to show them the article, Viva l'Italiano! Italy is the fourth most-studied language in the world. I did not realize that studying Italian was so popular! Sincerely, Nancy DeSanti
In Memoriam: Lou D'Addio (1915-2014) A longtime member of Holy Rosary Church, Lou D'Addio, passed away recently at the age of 98 and one-half. He had a great love of Holy Rosary and of Fr. Nicholas DeCarlo, who founded the church in 1913. One of eight children, Lou was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Italian immigrants from a town near Naples. He moved to Washington in 1950, and joined Holy Rosary. He had a long and distinguished career at the Securities & Exchange Commission, from which he retired. Lou was an activist, fighting for justice in the area of civil rights and later as an opponent of abortion. A devout Catholic, he attended Mass every day,
made three trips to the Holy Land, and was a volunteer at the Catholic Information Center of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. His final words, according to his daughter Terry, were, "People need to love each other more."
Lou D'Addio on his 98th birthday in November 2013.
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Washington D.C., September 2014
WWI CENTENNIAL
Voce Italiana Reader Remembers Her Father, a Member of the Arditi As part of our ongoing series commemorating the centennial of the start of World War I, Voce Italiana asked readers to submit photos or memories of their loved ones who served in the war. Here is a submission from Holy Rosary parishioner, Stella Riccobene Bullin. "My father, Salvatore Riccobene, was born in Delia, Caltanisetta, Italy on November 17, 1894. He was in the United States when Italy got involved in the First World War but he returned to Italy to serve his country. He was in the unit known as the Arditi. (See the box at right.) I have documents that tell of his many accomplishments. He was a war hero and was awarded many medals. He received the Bronze Medal for military valor and was decorated by the King of Italy at a special ceremony. He then returned to the United States
and lived in Camden, N.J., where he worked as a stone mason. He met and married our mother, Maria Palumbo, and they had six children--four boys and two girls. Our family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1937. We lived on New York Ave., where many Italian families resided. Father Nicholas DeCarlo, founder of Holy Rosary Church, was a regular visitor on our street. My dad never talked about the war or told us that he was a hero. He was a modest, gentle man who worked hard as a stone mason all over Washington, Maryland and Virginia. He worked until age 75. We found out about his role in the war when they honored him in Delia, his hometown in Italy." --Stella Riccobene Bullin
Soldiers in the above photo are members of the Arditi corps that fought during World War I. The Arditi or "The Daring Ones" (derived from the verb ardire, to dare), was the name adopted by the Royal Italian Army elite storm troops of World War I. The Arditi were considered a separate combat arm. Only the bravest men were chosen. They were armed with daggers and hand grenades and were masters of hand to hand combat. Their role was to breach enemy defenses and hold them until the arrival of the infantry. The courage and valor of the Arditi gained them a revered place in Italian military history.
Lido Civic Club Honors Detective Mario Mastrangelo
Montgomery County officer receives Public Service Award for heroic act The Lido Civic Club of Washington, D.C., recently recognized Detective Mario Mastrangelo with a Public Service award for his heroism in rescuing an elderly woman trapped in her burning house. The act of heroism occurred last April, when Montgomery County Detective Mastrangelo was taking his children Massimo, 12, and Daniela, 9, to work for "Take Your Child to Work Day." As they drove through Germantown, he spotted smoke coming from a house and noted that firefighters had not yet arrived. He ran into the burning house and yelled, "Is anyone here?" He saw a woman in the kitchen and immediately lifted her up and took her outside to safety. Then he and a neighbor returned into the burning house to rescue the woman's husband. But flames blocked access to the second floor and they were forced to turn back, just as firefighters were arriving. (Firefighters fought their way to the second floor but it was too late to save the man.) "When it comes to honoring the of-
CONSULAR SECTION ITALIAN EMBASSY 3000 Whitehaven St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-612-4400 Visas, Passports, and Italian Citizen-related inquiries
Mario Mastrangelo, Francesco Isgrò
ficers, firefighters and others who help make our community safe, who protect our children, and who unselfishly risk their lives for others--we just don't do enough. We are honored to present you with this award," said Francesco Isgro, president of the Lido Club. Phil Finelli, past president of the Lido Club brought Detective Mastrangelo's act of heroism to the attention of the Club. The award was presented at
an event at the residence of Lido member Paul Biciocchi in July. Isgro said it was especially fitting to honor Detective Mastrangelo. His parents, who were Italian immigrants, have been longtime supporters of Holy Rosary Church. They ran a successful catering business in the area and even occasionally catered for Lido Club events at Casa Italiana.
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Washington D.C., September 2014
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Italian Food & Wine Market on Capitol Hill NOW HIRING Radici Market is opening on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. in mid-September! Radici means "roots" in Italian. The name was chosen because it represents a connection to community and a commitment to offering natural, wholesome, and nourishing products and prepared foods made by artisans and chefs dedicated to quality and tradition--the true Italian way! We are in the final phase of construction and are currently seeking high energy associates with a passion for Italian food, wine, and cooking to join our team. For immediate consideration, we are hiring for the following career positions: Culinary: Kitchen Manager/Chef, Prep Cooks, Dishwashers Front of House: Servers, Runners Retail & Operations: Team Supervisors, Sales Associates, Catering/Outside Sales/In-House Demonstrators, Office/Admin/Accounting *** Retail and/or Cafe/Osteria experienced is required. *** Knowledge of Italian language, culture, and/or wines is strongly preferred.
September 13, 2014. National Copilas honors Robert Edsel, author of books on the Monuments Men. Dinner at Casa Italiana at 6:30 p.m. September 21, 2014. U.S. Marine Band players honor Francis Maria Scala, first Marine Corps Band Leader. September 27, 2014. TrioLennon, a classical music ensemble from LeMarche, Italy, performs music from Lennon/McCartney and Dave Brubeck. Casa Italiana, 7:00 p.m. September 28, 2014. Altar Society Bake Sale, Casa Italiana. September 28, 2014. Abruzzo Molise Heritage Society meeting and luncheon. Author Paul Paolicelli will speak. Casa Italiana at 1:00 p.m. Contact: Jeff Clark (801) 792-7160. October 13, 2014. Columbus Day Ceremony at the Christopher Columbus Memorial across from Union Station. October 18, 2014. Songs from San-
remo Festivals (1951-2014) and dinner. Casa Italiana at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are: $45 for adults and $30 for children 14 and under. October 24-26, 2014. NIAF 39th Anniversary Gala Weekend. Washington Hilton Hotel. November 22, 2014. Lido Civic Club 85th Anniversary Past Presidents' Night Gala at Italian Embassy.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter to: manager@radici-market.com.
SOLO ADOZIONE DIRETTA
The Lido Civic Club of Washington D.C. 1929-2014 Our 85th Year
Metropolitan Washington’s Premier Italian-American Business and Professional Men’s Organization
Francesco Isgrò, Esq., President Ross Vincenti, Esq., Vice President John DeZinno, Treasurer Paul Zambrotta, Secretary Louis J. Scalfari, Public Affairs Giuseppe Argiolas, Sergeant at Arms “To the end that American citizens of Italian descent or origin and their families may find a welcome and ready entrance into the social, civil and community life of Washington, D.C., and thus be helped in forming acquaintances and taking part in the activities of community life which leads to contentment and tends to make the new member more valuable to himself, his employer and his community; to perpetuate the bond of friendship and good will which has always existed between the American and Italian peoples....” (From the Preamble to the 1929 Lido Club Constitution)
www.lidocivicclub.com