XI
Italia!
Buon Compleanno
The Italian Program in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages,
Literatures, and Cultures at Wayne State University,
with the Comites, the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, and the NOI Foundation, under the auspices
of the Consulate of Italy in Detroit
P R E S E NT
XI WEEK OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD
PROGRAM:
Day 1:
Tuesday, October 18
12:00-2:00
Romanian Room
•The Italian Risorgimento and Its Major Characters and Players
12:00-12:10 Welcome and Inauguration.
Introductions. Silvia Giorgini-Althoen
12:10-12:45
“Quest’Italia s’ha da fare”.
A brief history of the Italian Risorgimento and its major characters. Prof. James Michels
Performance of excerpts of the Oath to the Young Italy by Giuseppe Mazzini.
WSU students, Nino and Angelo D’Onofrio
12:50-1:30
VIVA V.E.R.D.I: Giuseppe Verdi and the Risorgimento.
Guest Speaker: John Zaretti (President and co-founder of the Verdi Opera Theatre of
Michigan/Statue of Enrico Caruso Society, both founded in 1988).
Reading of excerpts of Alessandro Manzoni’s Promessi Sposi and a sing-along to the
music of Nabucco’s “Va’ Pensiero”.
WSU students, Amanda Sandles, George Formicola, Romina Marinucci, and Simona Minadeo.
Q&A Session.
XI
Day 2:
Wednesday, October 19
12:00-2:00
Romanian Room
• The Queen Margherita and Her Role in Shaping Italian Taste
Silvia Giorgini-Althoen
12:00-12:05
Introductions.
12:10-12:45
Wayne in Abruzzo and a visit to the Royal Palace in Naples, Italy.
A study abroad cultural experience.
WSU students, Andrea Sandles, Danielle Klank, Emma Davis, and Patrick Awdish.
12:50- 1:40
Queen Margherita: Her role in shaping Italian taste in architecture, fashion, and style.
Guest Speaker: Lucio Abate, Naples - Italy
(In Italian language)
Q&A Session
Some light refreshments in the French Room will be offered after each day's program.
Day 3:
Thursday, October 20
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Antica Pizzeria Fellini
•A Taste of Unity, Freedom and Hope
7:00-7:30
Queen Margherita and her role in the Post-Unitarian Italy.
Queen Margherita inspired a simple baker to create the symbol of “Italian spirit”
representing the Tricolore (The Italian Flag) using basil, mozzarella, and tomato.
Guest Speaker: Lucio Abate, Naples - Italy
(In Italian language)
This event requires a reservation at: 248.250.8928 by October 16, 2011
Addresses:
Romanian Room (408 Manoogian Hall) 906 W Warren, Detroit, MI - 48201
Antica Pizzeria Fellini - 415 Washington, Royal Oak, MI - 48067
Biographies Prof. James Michels Professor James Michels is an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University and joined the Italian program four years ago. He teaches courses in Italian Culture since the Rinascimento. His interests are in literature, French and Italian cultures, Dario Fo, the environment, media, politics and English. He has been invited to present his research on James Joyce at national and international conferences. He has also published his Joycean research in Language and Style and in the James Joyce Quarterly. He is at work on a study of Roland Barthes and semiotics, and has published articles and presented papers on this topic. He is also a published creative writer of short stories and poetry. Michels has just completed a translation from the French of "Saint Francis of Assisi, Marcel Duchamp, and Contemporary Art," by Roberto Barbanti. It will appear in Italy in the next few months as a book in two languages. He is also collaborating on a book with Professor Barbanti on the subject of the psycho-­‐ and socio-­‐dynamic effects of modern technology. Mr. John Zaretti Our presenter, John Zaretti, is the President and co-­‐founder of the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan/Statue of Enrico Caruso Society, both founded in 1988. He has been actively involved in promoting operatic music, organizing exhibits and making presentations on the life of composer Giuseppe Verdi and on the history of opera at such institutions as the Italian American Cultural and Community Center in Clinton Township, Michigan, The International Institute in Detroit, the Toledo Opera-­‐Masonic Temple in Ohio, the G. Verdi Club in Amherstburg, Canada, and many other venues. Zaretti has presented concerts in cooperation with, among others, The Michigan Opera Theatre, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the La Scala Instrumental Ensemble and the Parma Opera Ensemble from Italy, together with renowned basso Michele Pertusi, winner of the 2006 Grammy Award for his interpretation of Verdi's Falstaff. He established the “Italian Songs and Arias Vocal Competition for Michigan High School Students,” now in its seventeenth year of operation, to encourage and support talented young vocalists in exploring the wonderful world of classical vocal music. John's efforts were officially recognized by the government of Italy, which bestowed on him the distinction of Cavaliere of the Order of Merit. Dr. Lucio Abate Dr. Lucio Abate is a historian and a native of Naples, Italy. He graduated from the University of "Suor Orsola Benincasa" with a Laurea in "Cultural and Artistic Heritage" and from the University of Bologna with an M.A. in "Archival Management". He has been actively involved in the research and preparation of many major museum exhibits, and in the important project of digitalizing archival documents. Most recently he organized the exhibit on Queen Margherita at the Royal Palace in Naples. His presentation today will focus on the role that the first Queen played in the newly united Italy and on her significant impact and influence.