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| V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. |
Last Friday was full of culturally rewarding and spiritually edifying activities, but since I've been bogged down with work, instead of posting multiple entries, I decided to share the highlights in just one post.
The Way of the Cross
I made my way to Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, New York, Friday evening to do the Stations of the Cross. Though the rite was part of the penance assigned to me by my confessor earlier in the week I admit it was no chore to perform, as the custom is already part of my Lenten rituals.
Commemorating the Passion and death of our Lord, the practice originated after the Moslem conquest of Jerusalem made visiting the Holy Land and retracing the Via Dolorosa (Sorrowful Way) too dangerous for Christian pilgrims to make.
Moving from station to station, I read the prayers composed by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, all the while reflecting on Christ’s most sorrowful Passion and His love for us.
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| John T. La Barbera and Carlo Aonzo |
Assunta Spina
After church, I met up with friends a few blocks away at the Italian American Museum (155 Mulberry St.) for the screening of Assunta Spina (1915) with live musical accompaniment by John T. La Barbera on guitar and Carlo Aonzo on mandolin.
An early example of cinematic realism, Assunta Spina is a silent movie based on Salvatore Di Giacomo’s novel, starring the great Francesca Bertini and shot on the streets of Naples. Since I don’t own a television set and watch everything on my computer, I was really looking forward to seeing it on the "big screen" again.
La Barbera’s newly composed score was masterly performed and superbly accentuated the story without ever overshadowing the film. Using ear pieces to keep tempo and following cue sheets, the transition from scene to scene and changes in dramatic sequences were virtually seamless. It was hard to believe that the musicians never performed together before.
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| Brigantesse show their true colors |
Harking back to the days of storefront theaters, the experience brought back wonderful childhood memories of when my father use to show us old reel-to-reel movies projected onto sheets in our living room or backyard. Though, back then I was more interested in classic science fiction thrillers like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916) and The Lost World (1925) than Neapolitan dramas like Assunta Spina.
Following the performance, there was a short Q & A period where we learned that La Barbera is putting the finishing touches on another original score for Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant. Guests mingled, enjoyed some lite refreshments and had an opportunity to buy CDs and books.
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| Sporting Bourbon flair |
E. Rossi & Co.
Departing the museum, we crossed Mulberry St. to E. Rossi & Co. (193 Grand St.) to say hi to our friend Ernie and pick up a few prayer cards, Napoli key chains, and some other nicknacks.
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| Ernie belts out a few toons |
Always a delight to talk to, Ernie reminded us about Patrizio Buanne’s upcoming concert “My Voice for San Padre Pio” in Atlantic City on March 17th and shared the recent New York Times “Character Study” written about him, Sustained by Saints and Song, This Little Italy Shopkeeper Hangs On.
As luck would have it, we were in for another musical treat. Before we left, Ernie grabbed his old guitar and regaled us with a couple of original tunes, including his sentimental ditty, Fa L’Amore Con Te.
A Late Night Repast
Fasting all day, my friends and I went to Margherita NYC, Pizzeria Napoletana (197 Grand St.) for a late night bite. Since we abstain from meat on Fridays our group shared a delicious pie with anchovies and capers. Paired with a bottle Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and some lighthearted conversation, the meal was a perfect ending to an all around enjoyable evening.
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| A Margherita NYC masterpiece |
