Cartolina 21& 26 January 2009

On Wednesday 21 January at 7.30 pm, repeated on Monday 26 at 10.30 am.
Cari amici, in the next Cartolina Wilma Laryn and Denis Walker start a short series of programs about Neapolitan song (although the more we work on it, the more ideas we come up with….).
For a start, we’ll take you through the most famous songs, everyone’s favourites: Torna a Surriento, sung by Giuseppe DiStefano, Funiculi` Funicula`, sung by Sergio Bruni, and Santa Lucia, sung by Beniamino Gigli.
All songs with their particular stories behind.
We also play the first two promos of Cartolina’s sponsor for this year (see photo on Radio Programme Page). And here is the rest of it.

Cartolina 7 & 12 January 2009

Wilma explores the folk music of Apulia on a fascinating journey through Matteo Salvatore’s songs.
He couldn’t read and write, never went to school, at seven he was taught by a blind old fiddler the songs orally transmitted for generations, and the style peculiar of this tradition. In 14 years with the old man he learned some 150 songs, while earning their living with their music. When the old man died, Matteo went to Rome, on foot, it seems, in 5 days. He played in restaurants, attracting the attention of interested people. One of them took him to Torino, where he started a successful career, becoming the voice of the South. Illiterate, Matteo was a natural poet. He left the traditional folklore behind, and composed all new songs, lyrics and music, in the true style of Italian singer songwriters. His words were simple, often in dialect, and covered all aspects of poor people’s life.

Quotes from Italian broadcaster Vito Laterza, and Chinese violinist Zhang Zhang.

Songs: La sciuscella, Il pescivendolo, La nascita, Marito e moglie, La morte traditrice, Il lamento dei mendicanti, Mo ve’ la bella mia dalla muntagna, Lu pecurere, Lu furastiero, La notte e` bella.

Cartolina Christmas programme 24 & 31 December

Cari amici, in the next programme (24 & 31 December 2008), Cartolina brings an Italian Christmas with songs, interviews and a traditional recipe.

We talk about the typical instrument of the Italian Christmas: zampogna. Song: Zampognari in paradiso. Three little girls talk and sing their Christmas songs.

A great Italian tradition is the Nativity Scene, the Presepe. It seems that the first one was made by St Francis of Assisi, at the beginning of the 1200s. This tradition is still alive, as Ester Monti-Reid can testify, on the phone from Auckland, while little Emma provides some background music of her own….
More songs played in this programme are: Piva Piva, Caro Gesù bambino, Bianco Natale, Pasquella di Natale.

Our recipe: porcedduzzi al miele (honeyed piglets). In spite of its name, this is a dessert, traditionally prepared at Christmas time in Apulia. It’s basically small pieces of dough, fried and honey-dipped. Find the full recipe here.

Christmas Festival in the Arts Centre 11 am – 4 pm

Sunday 14 Dicembre : Christmas Festival in the Arts Centre 11 am – 4 pm

The sights and sounds of Christmas will come early to the South Quad at the Arts Centre. The Dante Society and other Christchurch's ethnic communities will present Christmas traditions from Italy and around the world. Learn to say ''Happy Christmas'' in ten different languages, sample seasonal food with a difference and buy from a range of unique Christmas decorations and gifts

November meeting - AGM & Absolutely Abruzzo tours

We finish our activities for this year with an evening at the Linwood Community Arts Centre on Tuesday 11 November (please note change of day!)
 
7.30 pm Annual General Meeting

8 pm Absolutely Abruzzo 

A mixed extravaganza of sound & image will bring Italy to life with some photos and some wonderful singing.

International operatic tenor Michael Howard will sing Italian songs and Luciana Masci will present a short video and photos to illustrate their Absolutely Abruzzo Tours.
 
Both Luciana and Michael have deep family ties to this beautiful region, and lead small groups through carefully crafted itineraries; they stay in restored villas and farmhouses, and everything is included even down to the selected wines, menus, cooking class and recipes as well as many unexpected and thoughtful extras along the way, not to mention Michael’s private concerts, accompanied by local musicians.

 Supper to follow the meeting.

No new updates for a wee while

Hi all,
This is your ex-newsletter editor Jerry. Thank you for reading this blog. I’m sorry but there will be no more updates on this site until a new newsletter editor taking over my place. I quit this job for several personal reasons and I won’t get into details to be kind. Let’s just say now is the time for me to step away.

Per ogni cosa c'è il suo momento, il suo tempo per ogni faccenda sotto il cielo. C’è un tempo per cercare e un tempo per perdere,un tempo per serbare e un tempo per buttar via.

Thanks again, and I hope you continue to enjoy what the Dante Society brings you.