L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURS DAY,   MAY  9,   2013 PAGE  17 Treasures From Naples' Teatro di San Carlo NICKOLAS MARINELLI This week, the Italian Cultural Institute opened its exhibit Treasures from Naples' Teatro di San Carlo, the premiere event to kick off the upcoming "Concert of the Two Bays" performance of Verdi's Requiem by the orchestras and choruses of the San Francisco Opera and the Teatro di San Carlo Opera jointly, in honor of Verdi's 200 th birthday and the Year of Italian Culture in America. A delighted Mauro Battocchi, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, and Paolo Barlera, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, presented an exceptional exhibit of the Treasures of Naples' Teatro di San Carlo, curated by Amelia Antonucci and Paolo Pontoniere of Campania Felix. Besides presenting these rare treasures for the enjoyment of San Francisco, it was also a showcase for a future fund-raising event to defray the costs of bringing the Italian opera company to San Francisco in October 2013. The opera costumes on display at the Italian Cultural institute through May 19 th include a long, red and black patterned lamé dress, with lateral folds and stole of the same material. It was designed by Aldo Buti in 1982 for the opera Vivì by Franco Mannino. The gown was provided by the Teatro di San Carlo, and is only one of the many costumes that will be placed on the auction block on June 15th. Rising Phoenix-like from devastating aerial bombing during WWII, Naples' Teatro di San Carlo is one of the oldest opera houses in the world, having been established in 1737. It is the oldest continuously-active venue for public opera in Europe, opening decades before both the Minalese La Scala and the Venetian La Fenice theaters. Unbeknownst to many, the Teatro di San Carlo and the San Francisco Opera share an important common connection. The founding Director of the San Francisco Opera, Gaetano Merola, was born in Naples, trained at the Naples Conservatory of Music, and was the son of a violinist at the Court Exhibit curator and former Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Dott.sa Amelia Antonucci. Photo courtesy of Nickolas Marinelli of the King of Naples. In 1918 or 1919, Gaetano Merola was playing poker in North Beach with nine of his Italian friends, including Giuseppe Brucia, a successful businessman and philanthropist, when one of them asked: If San Franciscans liked Opera so much, why didn't the City have its own opera company? They all agreed it was a great idea, and pledged to back and finance Merola in establish- This red and black lamé dress, was designed by Aldo Buti in 1982 for the opera Vivì by Franco Mannino. Photo courtesy of Nickolas Marinelli ing a San Francisco Opera company. Giuseppe Brucia gave the seed capital with further financing from A.P. Giannini and the Bank of Italy (now Bank of America). On June 3, 1922, Gaetano Merola opened the new San Francisco Opera Company in the Stanford Football Stadium with three operas—Pagliacci, Carmen, and Faust. By 1932, the San Francisco Opera Company, now world-renowned, had moved into its permanent home, the War Memorial Opera House, where it is today one of the most important opera centers on the planet. Now the ties binding the two institutions are set to be strengthened with the much anticipated once-in-a-lifetime "Concert of the Two Bays" performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem, celebrating Verdi's Bicentennial and the Year of Italian Culture in America, to be held on October 25, 2013 at the War Memorial Opera House, featuring the choruses and orchestras of the Teatro di San Carlo and San Francisco Operas on the same stage, under the direction of Maestro Nicola Luisotti, the current Music Director of both companies. This landmark concert will be preceded and supported by Treasures from Naples' Teatro di San Carlo, an exhibit featuring stage costumes, jewels, tapestries, and other Treasures from the Teatro di San Carlo Historical Collection, which date back to the end of the 1700's, as well as set design lithographs by renowned Transavanguardia artist Mimmo Paladino, appearing at the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. This is a unique one-time exhibit, as the artifacts on display are to be auctioned on June 15 th at the Fairmont Hotel during a Gala benefit and auction to raise funds to bring the Teatro di San Carlo orchestra and chorus to San Francisco. Bella Figura: A Celebration of Italy When it comes to style, beauty and craftsmanship, few can rival the Italians. It's in their DNA. It's very much about the appearance, presenting a bella figura, as the Italians themselves like to say. The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco is proud and excited to present a celebration of Italy, an opportunity to taste the wines, eat the food and touch the brands craft- ed by Italy's finest artisans, more than a dozen in all, representing automotive, motorcycles, apparel, cutting edge design furniture, jewelry, Murano glass, Tuscan leather and Florentine paper products. With tasty delectables from the kitchens of Emporio Rulli, accompanied by luscious wines from the incomparable Montresor vineyards, the evening, which is hosted by the Consulate General of Italy, will provide a perfect platform to visit Italy and experience the beauty and elegance of its lifestyle, without leaving home. The event will be held on Thursday, May 9th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Consulate General of Italy, 2590 Webster Street at Broadway in San Francisco. Valet parking is available. For reservations, call 415-332-1085. CONSOLATO GENERALE D'ITALIA SAN FRANCISCO Console Generale: Mauro Battocchi Segreteria: Anna Clara Maselli (segr.sanfrancisco@esteri.it) 2590 Webster StreetSan Francisco, CA 94115 Telefono: (415) 292-9200 Fax: (415) 931-7205 E-mail: it.sanfrancisco@esteri.it ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA Direttore: Paolo Barlera 814 Montgomery Street San Francisco, California 94133 Tel.: 415 788 7142 Fax: 1 415 788 6389 Email: contact.sanfrancisco@ esteri.it COM.IT.ES. - COMITATO DEGLI ITALIANI ALL'ESTERO President: Romana Bracco 870 Market Street, Suite 815San Francisco, CA 94102 Telephone: (415) 398-5312 Fax: (415) 398-3345 Email: SanFranComites@aol.com MUSEO ITALO AMERICANO Managing Director: Paula Bagnatori 204 Bay St # C, San Francisco, CA(415) 673-2200 Phone: (415) 673-2200 Fax: (415) 673-2292 E-mail: sfmuseo@sbcglobal.net ITALIAN AMERICAN SOCIAL CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO Manager: Julie Clima 25 Russia Ave.San Francisco, CA 94112 Phone: 415.585.8059 Fax: 415.585.8060 Email: info@iascsf.com SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN ATHLETIC CLUB President: Al Cipollina Administrator: Rich Baldoni-Denney 1630 Stockton St., San Francisco, CA 94133 General Information: (415) 781-0165 Fax: (415) 781-0167 Office: (415) 781-0166 (Office hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. M-F, Pacific Time), email: administration@sfiac.org ORDER SONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA State President: Maria Fassio Pignati State Recording Secretary: Arlene Nunziati (Rlene49@pacbell.net) 5051 Mission Street San Francisco, California 94112-3473 Phone: (415) 586-1316 Fax:(415) 586-4786 Email: sonsofitalyca@aol.com IL CENACOLO - ITALIAN CULTURAL CLUB President: Jim Boitano Membership Chair: Ronald Derenzi (membri@ilcenacolosf.org) Post Office Box 475119 San Francisco, CA 94147-5119 Email ilpresidente@ilcenacolosf.org ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION President: Ken Borelli 425 No. Fourth StreetSan Jose, CA 95112www.iahfsj.org Phone: 408-293-7122. Fax: 408-293-7154. Facebook: Italian American Heritage Foundation ITALIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES President: Luigi E. Pinotti Executive Director: Anna Maria Pierini (ampierini @italiancs.com) 678 Green Street, San Francisco, Ca 94133 Tel. (415)362-6423 Fax (415) 362-6423 E-mail info@italiancs.com - www.italiancommunityservices.org ITALIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION OF THE EAST BAY President: Vince Cortese 5321 Claremont Ave. Oakland, CA 94618 Tel. (925) 679-1047, (650) 222-6641 Financial Secretary: Richard J. Vannucci 5072 Elrod Dr. Castro Valley, CA 94546-2418 Tel. (510) 581-9139

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