The Italian Radio Hour

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Never before, have I met two volcanic, more full of life and always cheerful individuals as "forces of nature" like Luca Paiardi, – architect, musician and Danilo Ragona – planner, designer and founder and president of the company Able to Enjoy.

Praticamente, due forze della natura!

Explorers of four continents, organizers of 41 sports activities (and some pretty extreme), over 13,000km driven have one common thread: create and nourish a "can do attitude", push your boundaries, to advocate for the interests, and the rights for people with disabilities.

Both victims of unrelated accidents in their early 20s, for a serendipitous twist of fate, one was living the rehab facility when the other was being admitted when eventually, joined efforts to create "VIAGGIO ITALIA" , where both their athletic abilities, design skills, want to do do more and see more, provides a unique and corroborate avenue for people with disabilities to see and explore the world.

Last not least, also the project "Borghi in Carrozza" (Villages by Carriage), a route in stages to discover some of the most typical and evocative locations in Piedmont. A new adventure, set off from Turin on March 26, aboard a historic 1973 Lancia Fulvia Montecarlo from the Classica & Accessibile project promoted by ASI Solidale, specifically outfitted with steering wheel controls.

Follow Danilo and Luca on all their social media platforms to follow not only their adventures (super amazing) but also their design projects, and campaigns.

If I thought I was pretty "volcanic" myself, by talking to Danilo and Luca, I realized that they are on a different level. Have you ever thought about simple challenges that get in the way of traveling for people in a wheelchair where there are no bathrooms on board that would accommodate their needs in a dignified way? Everyone's well-being is an amelioration of society for all. Viaggio Italia: https://www.viaggioitalia.org/index.php?l=it IG: https://www.instagram.com/viaggio.italia/?hl=it

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Did you know that there is a library and a museum in Rome that houses some of the oldest, varied, and most unique tools and textbooks about cookery? It is the Garum Library and Museum, located just across Circo Massimo and this weekend only (April 5-7th), you will also have the chance to see a very interesting collection of 400 original menus covering different historical periods and international customs. Conceived and curated by Garum and the international collectors' association Menu Associati, the exhibition is free to enter. These original menus presented and belonging to the main private and public collections. Divided in "11 Chapter", the visitor moves from the celebrations for the Albertine Statute, to the granting of honorary citizenship of London to Garibaldi, to the breach of Porta Pia and the two world wars up to the diplomatic relations after the Second World War as in the case of the breakfast menu offered by President Cossiga to Mikhail Gorbachev and to Mrs Rajssa Gorbachev in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall. And menus that tell the last hours of the Titanic, the great exploits of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh, Umberto Nobile and Francesco De Pinedo. From Hitler and Mussolini's first lunch through the coronations of Elizabeth II and Nicholas II, the last Tsar. There is also the 4-page creased booklet menu of the lunch offered by the Lord Mayor of the City at the Guildhall in honor of the royals of Charles and Diana on 5 November 1981, the same day as the announcement, two hours before the lunch, of the first pregnancy of the Princess of Wales. Collaborating in the creation of the exhibition are, among others, Maurizio Campiverdi, owner of the largest known menu collection, Academia Barilla, Istituto Luigi Sturzo, Panini Museum of Modena, Casa Artusi, Zeppelin Museum of Friedrichschafen and Historical Archive of the Presidency of the Republic. Preface of the catalog signed by prof. Alberto Capatti, curated by Maurizio Campiverdi, Franco Chiarini, Giulio Fano, Matteo Ghirighini and Roberto Liberi. The Garum website also offers a wealth of information so if you are not able to visit this exhibit this weekend, make sure to visit this museum on your next trip to Rome. https://www.museodellacucina.com/en/libray-and-museum/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - The Making of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. At the eve of opening night of La Traviata at the Pittsburgh Opera, I was able to catch up with Stage Director Kristine McIntyre for an insightful conversation of what all goes into the staging of an opera. her vision for this production and the true story of the character that inspired not only Giuseppe Verdi, but first Alexandre Dumas fils, Marie Duplessis. Marie Duplessis (born Alphonsine Rose Plessis was a French courtesan and mistress to a number of prominent and wealthy men. She was the inspiration for Marguerite Gautier, the main character of the 1848 novel La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas the younger. Much of what is known about her has been derived from the literary persona and contemporary legends. As recorded in art of the day Marie Duplessis was evidently an extremely attractive young woman, with a petite figure and an enchanting smile. By the time she was 16, she had become aware that prominent men were willing to give her money in exchange for her company in both private and social settings. She became a courtesan and learned to read and write, and to stay abreast of world events so as to be able to converse on these topics with her clients and at social functions. She also added the faux noble "Du" to her name. Marie Duplessis died of tuberculosis at the age of 23 on 3 February 1847, and differently from the opera where Alfonso manages to be by Violetta's side, Alexander Dumas never made it on time to say goodbye to her loved Marie. The opera opens with the auction of all the items at the home of Violetta Valéry (Pay close attention to recognize a familiar face), followed by the very famous "Brindisi (“Libiamo ne'lieti calici”) one of Verdi's the most popular tune from the opera. The performances: Saturday March 16, 19, 22 & 24th at Benedum Center. Tickets available at: https://www.pittsburghopera.org/season/la-traviata USE COUPON CODE: POIMI to get 50% OFF your tickets Antony Walker - Conductor Kristine McIntyre - Stage Director Cast: Vuvu Mpofu - Violetta Valéry Duke Kim - Alfredo Germont Michael Chioldi - Giorgio Germont Julia Swan Laird - Annina Fran Daniel Laucerica - Gastone de Letorières Brandon Bell - Baron Douphol Evan Lazdowski - Marquis d'Obigny Leah Heater - Flora Bervoix

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Being the 6th generation of Buitoni, Viola grew up in a food loving family who believed that growing your own food was a better way of eating. She was weaned on extra virgin olive oil and parmigiano. She first spooned ricotta in her mouth straight out of the warm whey in which the local shepherd had just cooked it. She played hide-and-seek in the room where pancetta and prosciutto were hung to cure. Seasonal foraging expeditions were the norm, from digging mushrooms to shaking chestnuts, from collecting snails to blackberries.In her debut book, "Italy by Ingredient Artisanal Foods/Modern Recipes", Viola shares the history and geography of Italy’s most iconic ingredients, and gives tips on how we can incorporate their vibrant flavors and techniques into our kitchens. (Think balsamic vinegar, flakes of parmigiano reggiano, fresh ricotta and creamy grains of risotto.) Viola is currently based in San Francisco-based where she is a cooking instructor and food writer. In 2020, the President of the Italian Republic honored her with the title Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia for her work furthering the culture and business of Italian food.Viola also leads foraging tours in Italy. For more information, visit her website at:https://www.violasitaly.com/culinary-tours

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - The Many Miracles of Household Saints with Martina Savoca Guay. 1993 - Household Saints by Nancy Savoca comes out. But there is one person, who has been on the set the entire time who will never get to see the movie until much later in her life because of a series of events, including all the good elements of the movie been destroyed: Martina Savoca Guay, Nancy's daughter. Nancy Savoca was pregnant of Martina during the entire shooting of the movie and now Martina, takes the camera in her hands and gifts us with a wonderful documentary "The Many Miracles of Household Saints", The Many Miracles of Household Saints reveals the improbable story behind the making of the film. Combining behind the scenes footage from the set — including electronic press kits and home movies — as well as contemporary interviews with Savoca, author Francine Prose and producer Rich Guay (her dad), Martina has created a gorgeous celebration and homage to a remarkable American independent film and to her own filmmaking heritage. Soon in a new 4k restoration, Household Saints will be available again to the public. Make sure to watch Martina's documentary before for insights on the making of the movie, or after for more reflections on the great talent of the Savocas. ABOUT "Household Saints" Based on Francine Prose’s fifth novel, Nancy Savoca’s chronicle of a spirited Italian-American New York family perfectly balances humor, tragedy, and pathos. Vincent D’Onofrio’s Joseph Santangelo is a butcher with a wicked sense of humor who “wins” his wife Catherine (a stellar Tracey Ullman) in a pinochle game. Over the protests of his mother (Judith Malina) who talks to ghosts and makes deals with saints, Joseph marries Catherine. When the old lady dies, her spirit is channeled into her granddaughter Teresa who overtakes the film with her yearning to serve God. Perfectly embodying a modern-day Bernadette, Lili Taylor imbues Teresa with a mix of dedicated innocence and naïveté. Executive produced by Jonathan Demme, with notable performances from Michael Imperioli, Michael Rispoli and Victor Argo, Household Saints represents a unique voice in 1990s independent filmmaking. Don't miss this interview: Subscribe to The Italian Radio Hour on YouTube and activate "Notifications" to be alerted on new interviews: https://youtu.be/himjiKIIueg?si=3lTzJRCLBqFwQSL0

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: "Crossings": Autobiographical Writing for people of Italian origin with Prof. Rita Cavigioli. Are you an American with Italian origins who has spent significant time in Italy, not only for tourism, but might have family, friends in Italy or have worked or studied in Italy? Have you always wanted to capture in writing your life, their lives, the what ifs, the nostalgia, the opportunities, the memories, the connections, the stories but not necessarily know where to start? In this week's episode, we speak with Rita Cavigioli, Professor Emerita of Italian Studies (University of Missouri-Columbia) about the upcoming workshop on Autobiographical Writing for people of Italian origin that will be held in partnership with Istituto Mondo Italiano from April 4th until May 16th. During this 7-session course participants will capture, reflect, compare, and support one another in this beautiful and intimate writing experience. The workshop will span over seven three-hour sessions. Attendees can participate either online on in person (if in the Pittsburgh area, at Istituto Mondo Italiano). Prof. Cavigioli will connect from her hometown of Turin. Registration is currently open. Only 9 seats available! Visit www.istitutomondoitaliano.org for more information. VIDEO INTERVIEW https://youtu.be/N6pLWPu27Oc Rita Cavigioli

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - In conversation with young Italian author from Abruzzo Domenico Cornacchia, Frank Di Piero (from Keeping it Real with Frankie D), and Emily Cipriani Marchetti on a topic that means so much to all of us, "roots" who is also the English title of Domenico's book (in Italian: RESTO QUI). Roots by Domenico Cornacchia aims to preserve a culture that has been passed down orally for centuries before sources of information disappears. Starting from Emily, she shared the importance about her own exploring, researching and documenting those stories, memories, and memories that have shaped the values she grew up on, and prepared for her trip to her ancestral town of Valle Castellana. Followed by Frank (the two of them, actually met in Bugnara (AQ) , Frank's family hometown) and his continuous mission of educating current and future generations on what it means to be Italian and understand one's past. Via Domenico, and his book, we hear the voices of the elderly that have lived a past that is no more, people that have passed so much wisdom to us of a life that was made of hardship, solidarity and emigration but not in a nostalgic way, but as a way to enrich our soul, explore the world, and spring us towards the future, while staying connected with the place most dear to our heart. ROOTS or in Italian “RESTO QUI” is set in a small patch of land on the border between Abruzzo and Marche, narrated through the eyes and ears of a boy who still proudly lives and wakes up every morning in that place with his family. The title encapsulates the resilience of those people who still believe in the beauty of life in these places and aims to connect all the people who live out of Italy and who have origins in these wonderful places in order to keep the memory and remembrance alive. Today, perhaps more than ever, the commitment of the new generations lies not only in looking toward the future but also in preserving the past. ROOTS in English https://a.co/d/dl24rvJ RESTO QUI in Italian: https://www.amazon.it/Resto-Santa-Rufina-Castellana-dAbruzzo/dp/883381372X

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - The Delmonico Way; Sublime Entertaining & Legendary Recipes from the Restaurant that Made New York! Bring glamour and style into your home, featuring stories, ideas for entertaining, and seventy-five recipes from the Tuccis, the family that ran Delmonico’s in its golden era. Located in the heart of Wall Street, Delmonico’s from 1827 to today continues to shape New York City’s restaurant scene. Under the original ownership of The Delmonico Brothers, Pietro and Giovanni, Delmonico’s introduced the first farm-to-table concept, à la carte dining—complete with white tablecloths and menus—but most notably created the phenomenon called the “power lunch." Despite Delmonico’s triumphs, the impact of World War I and the era of Prohibition caused the family to cease operations, shuttering the restaurant and all Delmonico locations by 1923. In 1926 a new era for Delmonico’s arose. Oscar Tucci, a Tuscan immigrant, took over ownership and re-established Delmonico’s first as a Speakeasy and then he continued the Delmonico brothers’ tradition, transforming it to a beacon of fine dining. Oscar developed a strict code of hospitality, etiquette, and operations coupled with legendary libations and superb fare known as the Delmonico way. The Delmonico way still lives on today because of Max Tucci. THE DELMONICO WAY: SUBLIME ENTERTAINING & LEGENDARY RECIPES FROM THE RESTAURANT THAT MADE NEW YORK! by Max Tucci, Oscar’s grandson, opens the double doors of his family's Delmonico’s, welcoming us to a world when dining out was a glamorous affair. Max along with his celebrity chef friends offer timeless recipes and Max, shares his tips for recreating the magic of the Delmonico way at home. Max continues his family's gracious hospitality ethics by welcoming all to Delmonico’s. Max's credo, "Moving forward, while looking back." The credo and Max's efforts of keeping the sacred brand thriving led Max to become the IACP 2023 Trailblazer Award Recipient. Delmonico's was quite the scene, royalty, celebrities, socialites, U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries, and business tycoons all frequented Delmonico’s. Elizabeth Taylor, President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Rock Hudson, Marilyn Monroe, Lena Horne, Gypsy Rose Lee, Eva Gabor and Zsa Zsa Gabor, King Umberto II of Italy, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, President Richard Nixon, Chubby Checker, Christine Jorgensen, and Joan Crawford were among some of the most notable names that Tucci welcomed to his tables which were famously adorned with Ginori, Baccarat, Lalique, and Christofle. Each chapter is organized around a style of dining that Delmonico’s pioneered or perfected under Tucci’s proprietorship, including how to host an impressive power lunch (featuring Oscar's creation, the signature wedge salad); a glamorous cocktail soirée before a night on the town, complete with oysters Rockefeller and shrimp cocktail; and the perfect romantic dinner for two with a show-stopping seafood tower and ribeye Bordelaise. THE DELMONICO WAY includes over 70 recipes, including two from the restaurant’s most famous alumni, Sirio Maccioni’s Pasta Primavera and Tony May’s trademarked Uovo Raviolo. In addition to fine fare, "The Bar'' chapter features sophisticated cocktails that include the classic Delmonico, a legendary Negroni with a "Delmonico way" twist, and the festive Spencer cocktail created by artist Ashley Longshore's grandmother. Renowned designer Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich expertly layers vintage era photographs, ephemera, menus, and countless other gems featured in THE DELMONICO WAY that remind us that entertaining with style, elegance, sophistication, and intention remain just as relevant today as it did during the height of the era. To purchase your own copy of the book: https://thedelmonicoway.com/ For reservations at Delmonico's: https://www.theoriginaldelmonicos.com/

In conversation with Luciano Lamonarca, Italian tenor residing in New York, and Founder of the Saint Pio foundation in NY. As one who has received what is considered a miracle: the birth of their son Sebastian, Luciano has invested all his energies in laying the groundwork to ensure that the foundation could grow and receive the needed support to become established. Padre Pio was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, southern Italy. He was tutored privately until his entry to the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at the age of 15. Of feeble health but strong will, with the help of grace, he completed the required studies and was ordained a priest in 1910. On September 20, 1918 the five wounds of our Lord’s passion appeared on his body, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Catholic Church. His whole life was marked by long hours of prayer and continual austerity. His letters to his spiritual directors reveal the ineffable suffering, physical and spiritual, which accompanied him all through his life. They also reveal his deep union with God, his burning love for the Blessed Eucharist and Our Blessed Lady. On January 9, 1940, Padre Pio announced his grandiose plans to develop a Home for the Relief of Suffering (the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza). The Casa opened its doors on May 5, 1956 as a 300 bed facility, built on the small, sincere and spontaneous donations and prayers of his followers. He also developed an international network of prayer groups for the support of the Casa and its ministry that continues to live on and grow today. In 2017, Saint Pio Foundation organized the first official tour of the relics of Padre Pio. The tour visited eighteen archdioceses and dioceses in the United States, including Pittsburgh. In March 2023, the Saint Pio Foundation launched the "Green Mile" initiative to support the "A Mano Libera - Senza Barre" (“Freehand – Without Bars”) project of the San Vittore Association of the Diocese of Andria. A Mano Libera was founded by Father Don Riccardo Agresti, a priest known for his strength, courage, pragmatism, and faith in his neighbor. This project is an alternative to detention for inmates and ex-inmates of Italian prisons. Motivated by a strong desire for personal and social redemption, program participants work on a 25-acre farm in Andria, Italy, where they learn artisanal skills and produce taralli, a popular Italian snack food. Istituto Mondo Italiano has joined in this mission, and if you would like to support "A Mano Libera", you can purchase your Taralli here: https://www.saintpiofoundation.org/freehand (Choose: Istituto Mondo Italiano - Centro di cultura italiana as referring organization)

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Welcome to 2024! Wishing you a year full of abundance and prosperity. Some of you might have eaten lots of lentils for good fortune on New year's day but would you be curious to learn what goes into the process of making money? Today, another fascinating conversation with Egle Tringali and Valentina Bonaccorsi, curators of the MINT Museum of Rome who told all about the history and the process of making money. The origins of the Mint Museum of Rome derive from the Pontifical Mint of the Capital, founded at the end of the eighteenth century. In 1824 the Pontifical Cabinet of Medals was established, then acquired by the Government of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870 and officially established by the Italian Republic in 1958. In 1978, when the State Mint was transferred to the Istituto Poligrafico, its precious numismatic finds became part of the latter's heritage. The extraordinary collection of the Museum includes more than twenty thousand works, including medals, coins, wax models and minting objects. Among these works, in particular, it is possible to see: - coins (proofs and designs), coins of Italian and foreign states ranging from the Middle Ages to the present; in the "Lira Gallery" my guide explained also "faulty" designs that became collectors' items; - the first coin designed by a woman (and the subsequent ones): - medal collection (works by some of the most renowned and esteemed artists of all times); - a selection of wax models for medals and cameos, including the 425 candles made by Benedetto Pistrucci, the Roman engraver who created the model of the gold sovereign with St. George and the dragon, still in use today at the British Royal Mint. In the Bookshop, you will be able, if you want, purchase special edition coins. Visit Il Museo della Zecca: https://www.museozecca.ipzs.it/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - No holiday season is complete without talking about traditions, memories and Christmas music. In this week episode, we welcome back Sicilian American folk artist Michela Musolino as we travel thru time and her latest CD, La Notti Triunfanti, Folk-A-Billy Christmas: Christmas traditions from Sicily & Southern Italy mingle with musical traditions from USA...recorded in Memphis, Tennessee...South meets South to celebrate Christmas!Get a copy of the CD here: https://www.michelamusolino.com/store

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - If you grew up in Italy, you might be familiar with the tag line: "Cosa vuoi di piu' dalla vita? Un amaro Lucano! A conversation with Francesco Vena as we introduces us to the history of the most well-known liquor from Lucania (aka Basilicata), founded in 1894 by Pasquale Vena, a pastry chef who blended more than 30 herbs. The secret recipe has been passed from generation to generation in the Vena family. In 1900, Amaro Lucano gained fame throughout the Kingdom of Italy, after the Vena family became the official supplier to the House of Savoy, whose coat of arms appears on the label. After a period of recession during World War II, in 1950 the workshop became an industrial enterprise under the management of Vena's sons Leonardo and Giuseppe and in 1965 a new factory in the frazione Pisticci Scalo was opened. In the 1970s, the Vena family also began producing other alcohol-based drinks under the name "Lucano" such as the Sambuca, Limoncello and Caffè varieties, as well as liqueur-filled chocolates. So, "Cosa vuoi di piu' dalla vita? Amaro Lucano: storia di un'Italia dal bicchiere mezzo pieno" is an insightful reading into the family history and the history of Italy throughout those years.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - One of the interesting and ancient traditions that the Abruzzo region boasts is certainly the art of goldsmithing. This week we caught up with Filippo di Rienzo, 7th generation of goldsmiths in the town of Scanno, by the beautiful lake of Scanno. Thru Filippo, we discussed the use of jewelry also for popular and good luck traditions. The Abruzzo goldsmith tradition is rich in symbols, both sacred and pagan, which are still alive in this region. Many Abruzzese women wear at least one of these traditional jewels which show the strong bond they have with their region. La Presentosa, for instance, is a traditional jewel from the Abruzzo region, a very ancient piece of art dating back to the 18th century. It became famous when the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio described it in his masterpiece “The Triumph of the Death” as a large filigree star with two hearts linked by key or ribbon. This jewel was often given to young women as a promise of love. The word comes from presente, present or gift, which evolved into presentenza and presentosa in the local dialect. Tradition has it that on the day of the formalization of the union between the betrothed, the presentosa was donated by the future in-laws to the future bride as a token of love. The presentosa in this case also represented the symbol of fidelity and eternal love. The presentosa was also donated by mothers to girls of marriageable age. In this case, it was represented with a single heart and symbolized the search for a husband. When visiting Scanno, do stop by to Visit Filippo at Oreficeria di Rienzo and get first hand tour of the museum. https://www.armandodirienzo.com/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Have you ever wondered what a rice sommelier does? Could you exactly tell how many different types of rice are out there and what they are used for? Last but not least, what is the name of a very famous rice variety that was born by breeding a Californian rice variety and an Italian one? (Thank you America! ) Listen to our episode to become a rice expert too and learn the steps to make an excellent risotto! Valentina Masotti is considered one of Italy’s most respected food authorities, She is both a certified Rice Sommelier and Wine Sommelier, has published cookbooks on rice, and offers online classes in Italian and English. Instagram: @rice_sommelier www.facebook.com/thericesommelier e-mail: Masottiv@gmail.com https://www.ricesommelier.com/ (Select English version.)

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Both food and fashion are central to our daily lives. They speak to people’s most basic needs while also expressing our individual and cultural identities. The exhibition Food & Fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York explores how food themes and motifs are used to comment on critical topics from luxury, gender, and consumerism to sustainability, social activism, and body politics. Food has influenced fashion design from the eighteenth-century to today. So while the connection between the two genres is hardly new – think of woven pomegranates, embroidered ears of wheat, or fruit-trimmed hats – just this year, in 2023, the New York Times reported that food motifs are “the new florals” in fashion. Food & Fashion is an exciting and timely exhibition that includes over eighty garments and accessories by designers including Chanel, Moschino, and Stella McCartney. It is a multifaceted look at how intertwined these genres are and what they can express about our culture and society. Food & Fashion is co-curated by Melissa Marra-Alvarez, curator of education and research, and Elizabeth Way, associate curator of costume at MFIT. HURRY! The exhibit runs until November 26, 2023 To find out more information, visit: https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/food-and-fashion/index.php

The fall of 2023 marked Italy’s debut on the world stage of golf as it hosts the 44th Ryder Cup Matches, played between 12-man teams from the United States and Europe.  This year’s Ryder Cup was contested from September 29 to October 1 over the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club located in Guidonia Montecelio, ten miles outside Rome. 

It marked the first time that Italy as the hosted country of the Ryder Cup as it continues to expand its international appeal.  The event has grown over the years to become an international sporting spectacle attracting the largest worldwide TV audience after the Olympics and World Cup, with the last European edition played in Paris reaching more than 600 million homes in over 160 countries.

To talk about the long standing golfing traditions in Italy, we caught up with Robert Sidorsky, the curator of the Exhibit "Golfing Italy" held at the IIC of New York this past October.

The artwork on display included vintage travel posters and an array of colorful pre-War brochures highlighting the pleasures of golfing in the Italian lake district and the mountain-passes of the Dolomites.  The featured historic courses range from San Remo on the Italian Riviera to the glamorous Adriatic Island resort of Brioni, where the golf course has been restored as Brijuni Island in present-day Croatia.

Robert Sidorski is a lawyer in New York City and is on the board of the Center for Italian Modern Art (CIMA).  He has written extensively about golf travel and golf course architecture and is the author of Golf Courses of the World 365 Days and Golf A History 365 Days, both published by Abrams. 

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - we welcome back food historian, one of America's foremost experts on Italian cuisine, Francine Segan to indulge in a conversation about CHOCOLATE. Francine brings a wealth of knowledge about food traditions in Italy that one hour together is never enough. She has also graciously shared the recipe of TORTA TENERINA (see below), and a "Friends and Family discount of 15% OFF any Venchi Chocolate online orders by going to their website and entering coupon: venchi4francine. www.us.venchi.com TORTA TENERINA Moist Chocolate Cake of Emilia-Romagna Serves 8 This, virtually flourless cake, which has a crisp, macaroon-like outer layer and a dense, incredibly moist center, is by far one of the best tasting chocolate desserts I’ve ever tried. As the cake cools, it collapses just a little, creating a pretty webbing on the delicious crust. It’s made with only 5 ingredients, so be sure to use only quality chocolate, as it really stands out. A must-try classic! 7 tablespoons, 3 1/2 ounces, unsalted butter, plus more for the pan 7 ounces dark chocolate, 60% cacao or higher 1 cup granulated sugar 4 eggs, separated 2 tablespoons potato or cornstarch Confectioners’ sugar, optional Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch spring form cake pan (Note: You can also make this cake in a square or rectangular pan, or even in individual serving ramekins. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.) Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl, either in the microwave or over a pot of gently boiling water. In a large bowl beat the sugar and egg yolks with an electric hand held mixer until creamy and pale yellow. Beat in the chocolate-butter mixture until creamy. Add the potato starch and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Slowly, using a spatula, fold the egg whites, a little at a time, into the chocolate mixture until combined. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for about 24 minutes, until just set in the center. Don’t over-bake. The cake will continue to set as it cools. Allow it to rest for about 30 minutes before cutting it until it collapses and the top crust cracks a bit. Serve warm or at room temperature topped with confectioners’ sugar, if you like. From: Dolci: Italy’s Sweets by Francine Segan (Stewart, Tabori & Chang)

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Do you remember the Italian sabbatical campaign launched by Air B&B to spend three months in Grottole (Basilicata)? Well, 290,000 later, we caught up with one of the Co-Founders of Wonder Grottole Andrea Paoletti, and Dan Kidson who traded his frenetic life in San Francisco to fullfil his "Italian Dream" in Grottole. Wonder Grottole: A project that involves people from all over the world to rehabilitate the historic centre of Grottole in Basilicata that is only 30 km from Matera and the European Capital of Culture 2019. To learn more about WONDER GROTTOLE, visit: https://www.wondergrottole.it/en/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour we caught up with Marianna Gatto, Founder and Executive Director of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles. IAMLA has just presented the twelfth annual Taste of Italy, an upscale food and wine festival that has drawn crowds from all over the United States, and Italy. As IAMLA is getting ready to present their new exhibition, “Louis Prima: Rediscovering a Musical Icon,” we were fortunate enough to see some of the key pieces of exiting exhibit of Pinocchio. in collaboration with the Gia Maione Prima Foundation, the Louis Prima (1910 to 1978) exhibit explores the legacy of an extremely skilled jazzman, a songwriter and performer whose music is still found in film and television, TikTok videos, Disney tunes, and hit covers by contemporary artists. Visit The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles at: https://www.iamla.org/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - 'Italy is Out" is the fruit of the collaboration between Mario Badagliacca, established documentary photographer, and Derek Duncan, Professor of Italian at the University of St. Andrews and whose objective was to explore the implications Italian migration in a global perspective tracing cultural transformations across borders, generations, and languages.Badagliacca visited the project's key locations conducting interviews with Italians or people of Italian descent before photographing them in familiar locations. The subjects of the portraits were invited to bring along three objects representing their attachment to Italy. The sheer variety of the objects which appear alongside the portraits suggests the diversity of the migrant experience.Joined in the conversation by Edi Giunta, Professor of English at New Jersey City University, whose story, essay, and objects appear in the book, she shares the story of her family, and her journey between the different stages of being an Italian living overseas, and what her chosen objects represent to her.. Fiction, autobiography, and academic reflection sit side by side adding to Badagliacca's multifaceted exploration of Italian abroad. https://www.mariobadagliacca.com/italy_is_out-s3362

This week on The Italian Radio Hour we caught up with Lorenzo Lisi, to talk about NEXXT Expo, the biggest Expo of Made in Italy that take place Oct. 19-22 at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles,. Nexxt Expo will feature over 120 vendors, meticulously curated to offer an authentic and immersive Italian experience. Also, this expo serves as an opportunity not only to showcase the best of Made in Italy but to offer a view into the US market for Italian companies that would like to expand their reach to the US. So, it is both a great B2C and B2B opportunity to learn, buy, taste and try! The event is FREE to attend. Tickets available at madeinitalyexpo.eventbrite.com Get ready to savor the flavors of Italy at Nexxt - Made in Italy Expo For more information, visit: https://www.nexxt-expo.com/primaedizione/nexxtexpo.com/index.html

This week on The Italian Radio Hour we travel to the region of Umbria.

Defined as Italy's Green Lung, our expert sommelier Francesco Rossetti tells us about some of the amazing wines, cheeses, and olive oils produced in this region, and how "Assisi Vino" was born. Francesco will be soon embarking on a two month long tour in the US where he will share flavors of Umbria with the US audience. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, you'll be able to meet Francesco and try first hand wonderful Umbrian specialties in November. Stay tuned for more. To order your very own Umbrian specialties from Assisi Vino, visit: https://stelvietti.com/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - With more than 90 million views on Youtube and Facebook, 40 FINGERS is one of the new crossover phenomenon acclaimed all over the world. They are a fabulous guitar quartet born in 2018. Each of them with a strong musical history and a different background, 40 Fingers explore new sounds in the name of fingerpicking combined with their unique style, offering an amazing repertoire of famous rock/pop songs cleverly arranged for four guitars (from Queen to Toto, from Dire Straits to Eric Clapton, from Astor Piazzolla to the Beatles). They are able to create a unique engagement with the audience that has no borders of languages and countries. Check out the LIVE videos! Queen supported them publishing on their website the "40 fingers" version of Bohemian Rhapsody (official Queen website); Andrea Bocelli involved them in his special The Journey, duetting on the notes of "Hallelujah", for American TV. In the American territory they have recently found a great reception from the audience during their first tour in the United States, when their concerts in Boston, New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia has reached the sold out. Andy Summers, founding member of The Police and legend of world music, fell in love with their project, he involved them in a 5-guitar reinterpretation of the famous "Bring on the night”, a collaboration consecrated by the publication of an official video clip (40 FINGERS feat Andy Summers). If you are in the Pittsburgh area, 40 FINGERS will perform on Tuesday Sept 26th at 8pm at the City Winery. Check out 40 FINGERS official website for all their 2023 Tour dates in the US: https://40fingersguitarquartet.com/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: DISCOVER ITALY in Vermont. In conversation with Lisa DeNatale, President of VICA - Vermont Italian Cultural Association. Last year, our initial contact with Italians living in VT, started with Alessandra Rellini, Owner and Operator of Agricola Vermont and Monte Verdi salumi in Panton, which then we visited of the July 4th holidays. That sparked more research into the Italian community in VT and we connected with Lisa De Natale, President of the Vermont Italian Cultural Association. In this interview, Lisa talks about the Italian influence on the territory, and the local industries. as well as the many programs that VICA offers to connect to your Italian roots in an enriching way.https://youtu.be/sPbXVCP-eGoTo listen to our interview to Alessandra Rellini and learn more about her salumi, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8OxBj6NDq4&t=6s

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - In conversation with KATIE PARLA (aka Katie "parla") I met up with Katie Parla in her tastefully decorated apartment in Rome, caught up on life, books, and all the great adventures that resulted in her latest beautiful book: FOOD of THE ITALIAN ISLANDS (FOTII), recipes from the Sunbaked Beaches, Coastal Villages, and Rolling Hillsides of Sicily, Sardinia, and BeyondFood of the Italian Islands contains over 85 recipes, both original and reimagined, that showcase the allures off Italy's coasts, including pane frattau featuring Sardinia's beloved flatbread; bigoli in salsa, a party pasta popular in Venice; coniglio all'ischitana, braised rabbit in the style of Ischia, and torta caprese, Capri's flourless chocolate-almond cake. With New York Times bestselling author Katie Parla as the intrepid guide, Food of the Italian Islands delves into the rich culinary and cultural fabric of the destinations, inviting readers to join a highly specialized, curated experience through places never previously documented in English or Italian cookbook form. The book's 21 features provide historical insight while unveiling island traditions and pleasures such as the offal delicacies dominating Palermo's street food scene, urchin diving in Ponza and an overview on the boozy choose-your-own-journey to making infused spirits. From hitting the unpaved backroads in a FIAT Panda or taking a jaunt through the Venetian lagoon in Katie's fishing boat, Laura, Food of the Italian Island offers full immersion down to the mode of transportation. Organized playfully with a thematic approach, with travel tips and pairing suggestions throughout, Food of the Italian Islands is a siren call for readers to cook island food from wherever they are and with whatever they have.

https://katieparla.com/events/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - During our tour of Friuli Venezia Giulia, we savored many DOP products of the region but Prosciutto San Daniele reigned king. After a "sensorial" tour of Prosciuttificio Prolongo, we caught up with Arianna Prolongo, third generation owner of PROSCIUTTIFICIO PROLONGO to learn about the steps and the quality assurance processes to guarantee and obtain the one and only Prosciutto San Daniele DOP stamp.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Meet Sara Bonfanti, the ballerina that traveled almost 8,000km on foot across Italy in 7 months from Friuli to Sardegna on the Club Alpinisti Trails.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Gemma, the woman Dante never wrote about. What personality did this Florentine woman that no one remembers had? For love, she marries an inadvisable man: not rich, devoid of political power and moreover a poet. She doesn't let herself be dismayed when he finds himself on the wrong front, in a Florence where the bitter struggle between factions destroys lives and fortunes. And the rival, the angelic Beatrice? Will Gemma ever confront Dante? With this novel Marina Marazza brings us another historical novel that recounts the vicissitudes and strength of a woman of the past whose life has been overshadowed by the fame of her husband but that in reality is a true heroine of her time.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - This week, I am joined by Massimo and Bill Sunseri, a household name here in Pittsburgh for anything Italian food related. The story of the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company is filled with pride, tradition, determination and much more. In the traditional Italian village of Trabia, Sicily there were three brothers of the proud, hard working Sunseri family who wanted to open an Italian food shop and bring their admirable work ethic to America. In 1902, Augustino, Salvatore and Michael Sunseri formed the company that is now known as the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company. They started out by manufacturing pasta and it was not easy, as it never is. But after going through the normal growing pains of starting out, things started to look up. Even a devastating fire that might have knocked the life and determination out of many did not stop the Sunseri brothers. From an Italian Pasta Shop to an Italian Imports Shop With incredible guts and will, they rebuilt the store and soon pasta manufacturing blossomed into olive oil and spice retailing along with offering specialty food products and Italian cheeses. The company’s nucleus was formed and in the late 1940's, Augustino's sons, Robert (Uncle Bob) and Salvatore took the reins. At this point, Uncle Bob and Salvatore could see today’s phenomenal success begin to develop. Two generations later, Pennsylvania Macaroni is a very successful business and the family is keeping it together to maintaining traditions and a strong work ethic.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Venice, the city of water. For centuries Venice has been made famous by the material that most profoundly represents its enchanting history and fluid terrain, glass. As early as the nineteen eighties, Stephano and Daniele Attombri caught much attention and acclaim with their unique design that seems to move amid the fertile terrain of both fashion and fine art. The Attombri brothers work within a particular contemporary key. A skillful balance has been struck between the materials of old and new and the blend of both traditional Venetian technique and innovation. Venetian antiquity merges with ethnic patterning, mythology and avant-garde style. The surprising selection of materials such as copper, silver and Murano glass beads of old intertwine to render a look that is timeless.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Ready to pack your bags and head to Venice? This week, we connected with Monica Cesarato, food blogger, guide extraordinaire, podcaster, and much more to talk about "Andar per bacari"...aka, how and where to go to try authentic Venetian "finger foods" (cichetti). Her tours and also book with the same title, will be a great (and delicious) way to discover Venice in a more authentic way.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: "Tracing threads and weaving stories" with Luci Callipari-Marcuzzo Of Calabrian origin, Luci Callipari-Marcuzzo is a multi-disciplinary artist, mother, researcher, arts worker, curator, and writer, based near Mildura in Northwest Victoria, Australia. Via a variety of disciplines, Luci makes artifacts utilizing traditional women’s modes of making: sewing, embroidery, and crochet, reinventing these notions through her practice, reclaiming these practices through memory and intention. The work is a manifestation of the hopes, dreams, and desires of migrant women, and also, their lived realities. It strives to honor their voices which were often silenced by the dominant gender roles within the Italian Calabrian diaspora.

"POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS" - Directed by Zac Baliva (Executive Producer John Tuturro), this full lengthy documentary gives voice to the untold stories of families what were victims of the Proclamations by President Roosevelt which authorized the United States to detain allegedly potentially dangerous enemy aliens. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies arrested thousands of suspected enemy aliens, mostly individuals of German, Italian, or Japanese ancestry, living throughout the United States.

WINNER - 2021 Russo Bros. Italian American Film Forum

BEST DOCUMENTARY - 2022 Ferrara Film Festival

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Let's cook with best selling author Frances Mayes, who returns to The Italian Radio Hour to talk about her new cookbook: PASTA VELOCE - Under the Tuscan Sun inspired recipes easy to make in a cinch! During our conversation, we will talk about the making of Under the Tuscan Sun and her residence Bramasole, her life in Cortona (Italy), and a special appearance by Frances' husband Ed to talk about Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: TINA, MAFIA SOLDIER. In conversation with Sicilian writer Maria Rosa Cutrufelli and Robin Pickering-Iazzi, Professor of Italian and Comparative Literature, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and translator of the book. Sicily, 1980s: When she was just eight years old, Tina watched as her father, a member of Cosa Nostra, was murdered in cold blood. Now a teenager, she terrorizes her hometown of Gela, having made it her mission to join the mafia, an organization traditionally forbidden to women as made members. Nicknamed ’a masculidda, or “the tomboy,” Tina has taken charge of her own clan, and is notorious for her cruelty and reckless disregard for societal expectations. When a news article is published about Tina’s latest crimes, a teacher living in Rome feels compelled to write a novel about her—even though it means returning to her native Sicily to gather material. She and Tina circle around each other in a dangerous dance of obsession and violence until their first, and last, explosive meeting. This groundbreaking exploration of gender identity and clear-eyed presentation of an unseen side of the mafia is a landmark literary achievement by one of Italy’s feminist icons. Subscribe for FREE to the Italian Radio Hour on YouTube Channel and get automatically notified about new content! https://www.youtube.com/@theitalianradiohour Maria Rosa Cutrufelli Robin Pickering-Iazzi Italian-Program UW-Milwaukee Istituto Mondo Italiano - Centro di cultura italiana The Italian Radio Hour

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - A conversation with Marina Marchese, Italian trained honey sensory expert and author of The Honey Connoisseur, a conversation that will span from her passion that started with Italian bees, honey tasting and bee keeping! An interesting conversation not to be missed! #italianbees #honey #beekeeping #queenbee