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Details from the Met's Neapolitan Baroque Crèche
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
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I had a busy, but fun week, full of culturally rewarding and spiritually edifying activities. Instead of several short entries, I thought I would share some of the highlights with you in one large post.
Monday
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Holy Family by Salvatore di Franco
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I began my week with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of art to see the Annual Angel Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche installation. This has become one of my favorite holiday rituals.
Dating from the eighteenth century, the prestigious collection boasts over two hundred figures created by some of Naples' leading artists, including Giuseppe Sanmartino and Salvatore di Franco.
I always appreciate the Christmas display, but wish they would exhibit some of the pieces during the rest of the year. I understand there are space considerations to contend with, but I'm sure room can be found for one or two of the most significant pieces (e.g. the Angels by Giuseppe Sanmartino). The figures truly are masterpieces worthy of permanent display.
For more photos see my previous post Neapolitan Glory: Baroque Presepio at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Tuesday
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Maria Terrone
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The Literary Committee of the National Arts Club presented their Authors' Showcase featuring a select group of member-authors. Their works represented a broad range of genres and subjects, including poetry, theater, fiction, politics, history, and mystery. A reception and book signing followed.
Maria Terrone was there and read excerpts from A Secret Room in Fall and her upcoming work Eye to Eye.
Maria Terrone was there and read excerpts from A Secret Room in Fall and her upcoming work Eye to Eye.
As always, it was a pleasure seeing Maria and her husband Bill, and catching up afterward at the reception and book signing. A big fan of her poetry, I look forward to Maria's new collection, which is scheduled to be published by Bordighera Press in 2014.
Thursday
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Anita Sanseverino shows us how the presepio figures are made
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Thursday more than made up for the "slow" Wednesday. I made my way to Little Italy to attend a lecture about the Presepio Napoletano by Anita Sanseverino and a concert by acclaimed Neapolitan singer-songwriter Simona De Rosa at the Italian American Museum.
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A look at some of the IAM's renovations
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Arriving a little early, I was lucky enough to be given a sneak-peek of the museum's highly anticipated renovations by Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, President of the Italian American Museum. The new expansion includes the ground floor and basement at 187 Grand Street, which will provide much needed space for the museums extensive collection of Italian American memorabilia and cultural artifacts. According to Dr. Scelsa, the additions will serve as a gallery and research archive.
The presepio lecture was fascinating, as always. Anita is a terrific speaker; she's very knowledgeable, engaging and happy to answer all of our questions. Her passion for the subject is plain to see. When I first met her in 2009 I was immediately impressed by her fervor for all things Neapolitan. It felt so wonderful to meet someone who was as enthusiastic about Naples as I am, if not more.
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Anita Sanseverino and Dr. Scelsa show off presepio figures
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She covered everything about this popular Christmas custom, from its humble origins with Saint Francis of Assisi, to the golden age under the Neapolitan Bourbons, to today's artisans. The lecture also included a photo exhibit and short film featuring Anita's spectacular pictures from her visit to Via San Gregorio Armeno in Naples. For those who may be unfamiliar with it, Via San Gregorio Armeno is famous for its many artisan workshops that specialize in making Christmas figurines and Nativity scenes.
Following the talk, while waiting for the musicians to set up, Dr. Scelsa played a promotional DVD for Ferrigno, one of the leading artisan shops specializing in Neapolitan terracotta figures.
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The sensational Simona De Rosa
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Complementing the event’s Neapolitan theme, the mini concert by Neapolitan singer-songwriter Simona De Rosa was a fine way to finish the evening. Simona was joined by the very talented bassist Cristian Capasso and guitarist Gennaro Esposito. There set included several jazz numbers and classic Neapolitan standards like O Sole Mio and Torna a Surriento. However, they were performed with her own original musical arrangements. The trio entranced their audience, who clapped and sang along, bringing this wonderful program to a rousing end.
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(L-R) Cristian Capasso, Gennaro Esposito and Simona De Rosa with Dr. Scelsa
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Friday
I walked through the rain to Saint Dominic's RC Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, to celebrate The Feast of San Nicola di Bari with members of Club Barese and the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria S.S. Addolorata.
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Viva San Nicola di Bari!
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It was a great thrill and privilege for me to help carry the saint from the antechamber to his place of honor aside the altar, before and after mass.
Following the service we were invited back to the cozy Caduti Superga Mola Soccer Club for pizza and dessert. I met many wonderful people—including President Joe Manfredi—who are committed to preserving our culture and traditions.
Saturday
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Saint Anthony's Relics
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Taking a break from my Christmas shopping, I went to Most Precious Blood Church in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, to venerate Saint Anthony's precious relics, which are currently visiting New York City in honor of the occasion of the 750th Anniversary (1263—2013) of their discovery by Saint Bonaventure.
In 2007 I was fortunate enough to visit the Basilica Sant'Antonio di Padova, but for those devotees who are unable to travel to Italy, this is a wonderful opportunity to venerate the relics in person.
Click here for the remaining New York City schedule.
Sunday
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(L-R) Rocco Fasano sang a traditional Quagliettana folk song;
Father Vincent led us in prayer and sang a folk hymn in honor of San Rocco
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What better way to end the week than by attending the Societá Gioventú Quagliettana's annual Christmas dinner dance? Held at the renowned Leonard's Palazzo in Great Neck, NY, family and friends came together to celebrate the Christmas season. There was plenty of good food, music and dance, as well as, raffles and a magician for the children (of all ages).
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Revelers having a good time at the dinner dance
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Coincidentally, my week ended the way it started, albeit on a more modest scale. After the dinner dance, we returned to the Societá Gioventú Quagliettana's social club in Astoria, Queens, where I was graciously shown the society's presepio by president Vincenzo Carpinelli.
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The Societá Gioventú Quagliettana's Presepio
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As it was the Immaculate Conception, the traditional beginning of the Christmas season, I went home and set up my own crèche.
