THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 GENERAL SOCIETY MEETING: THE SONGS AND FOOD OF NAPLES
The beautiful songs of Naples will be the focus of our next AMHS program on September 27. We will be showing the film “Cuore Napoletano” (Neapolitan Heart) which traces the origin of the classic Neapolitan songs. The film shows archival footage and features interviews with some of those famous singers. The movie is billed as “un documentario per scoprire le radici della musica napoletana classica.”
It is in Italian with English subtitles, with some Neapolitan dialect thrown in. If you’ve ever wondered about the origin of such songs as “Finiculi Finiculà,” you will find the answer in this movie. This popular song was written in 1880 in Castellammare di Stabia to commemorate the opening of the first finicular cable car on Mount Vesuvius. Such songs as
“Torna a Surriento,” “O Sole Mio,” “Anema e Core,” “Santa Lucia,” “Core ‘ngrato,” and so many others, are known and loved by many. For example, “Finiculi Finiculà” has been performed by Mario Lanza, Connie Francis, The Grateful Dead, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Il Volo. And “Santa Lucia” was sung by Elvis Presley in Italian (it’s on YouTube—really!!). So if you want to find out the story behind these wonderful songs, come join us for a fun afternoon.
And don’t be surprised if at the end of the movie, you feel like hopping on a plane to Naples. In keeping with our theme, lunch will consist of pizza margherita and some special Neapolitan sweets. After the film, there will be an opportunity for those who wish to share their comments and memories. Please make your reservations early for this fun event, and bring your family members and friends
15 YEARS AND COUNTING!
On Sunday, June 28, 2015, about 80 AMHS members and invited guests gathered in Casa Italiana to help the Society celebrate its 15th anniversary. The event enabled us to 1) honor and recognize our members for their support throughout the years; 2) pay tribute to the men and women who have served as officers and board members; 3) recognize our scholarship recipients; and 4) recognize the other Italian American organizations that we have partnered with over the years in support of various events and activities.
The program commenced with a film by AMHS member and videographer Kirsten Keppel, who interviewed certain AMHS members as an update to the film she prepared to honor the Society’s 10th anniversary. (Note that we are continuing to expand on this film in 2015 to wrap up the project with a longer film that includes more stories for spring of 2016). We were honored to have so many long-time members with us: some of our founding members (see photo, below); the Marinuccis; Rocco Caniglia; Elisa DiClemente, Romeo Sabatini,
Albert Paolantonio, and David Ciummo (to name just a few). We were also honored to have representation from the Embassy of Italy, Simon Carta, Counselor; and the President of The Italian Cultural Society, Arrigo Mongini and his wife, Ingrid; the President of the Lucchesi nel MondoTuscany Club, Tricia Maltagliati; Stephanie Gordan, Executive Assistant to NIAF President John Viola; Father Ezio Marchetto, Pastor, Holy Rosary Church; and Christine Iovino, one of the Society’s 2013 scholarship recipients. We enjoyed music by AMHS member Sergio Fresco on accordion, who played the occasional duet with AMHS member Ron Cappelletti on mandolin.
The food was just perfect – heavy Italian antipasti from Carmine’s Restaurant. All in all it was a wonderful celebration of all that we have accomplished over 15 years, and a testament to our membership and our leadership. May we grow and thrive to celebrate another 15 years or more!
