Photo of the Week: Crucifix at the Chiesa dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in Naples

Photo by Andrew Giordano

New Book — Diodoros of Sicily: Bibliotheke Historike

Forthcoming title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

• Diodoros of Sicily: Bibliotheke Historike translated with introduction and notes by Philip Harding

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Pub. Date: Oct. 31, 2021

Hardcover: $99.99

Softcover $23.99

Language: English

Pages: 448

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Celebrating the Feast of the Madonna del Carmine

(L) Makeshift tabletop shrine to Our Lady. (R) Scapular with
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies coat-of-arms pocket square

O Mary, immaculate Queen of Carmel, Mother of God, and my Mother, by my holy Scapular I am entirely thine. Assist me this day, and obtain for me the grace to live faithfully my Scapular consecration, whereby my heart, my mind, my body, my whole being, is thine without reserve, forever. Amen. ~ Daily Act of Consecration

After Mass Friday afternoon, members and friends of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) returned to Amunì Ristorante (7217 3rd Avenue) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to celebrate the Feast of the Madonna del Carmine. 

Meant to be a joyous occasion, Pope Francis’ motu proprio restricting the Latin Mass unfortunately put a bit of a damper on our luncheon. 

Thankfully, in addition to chef Dardanello’s delicious Sicilian fare, rehashing the Euros (especially England’s undignified meltdown) helped distract and cheer us up a little. 

Focussing on what's in our control, we are going to continue attending Latin Mass, pray for our priests, and carry on with our myriad devotions and acts of reparation. Needless to say, we’re also going to keep praying for the Pope, in Latin. Madonna del Carmine, ora pro nobis.

Stuffed zucchini blossoms

Carciofi fritti

Caponata con crostini

Insalata di finocchio with fennel, oranges, arugala and lemon dressing

Meatless arancini and crocchè di patate

Pane cunzatu

Milinciani fritta

Panelle with fresh ricotta, caciocavallo and topped with lemon zest

Brioche con gelato

New Kindle Edition — Disaster Narratives in Early Modern Naples: Politics, Communication and Culture

New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

• Disaster Narratives in Early Modern Naples: Politics, Communication and Culture by Domenico Cecere, Chiara De Caprio, Lorenza Gianfrancesco and Pasquale Palmieri

Publisher: Viella Libreria Editrice
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Publication Date: July 7, 2021
Kindle: $35.99
Language: English
File size: 9987 KB

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Photo of the Week: Via San Sebastiano a Napoli by Eduardo Dalbono

Via San Sebastiano a Napoli by Eduardo Dalbono
Museo Civico in the Maschio Angioino, Napoli
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Meridiunalata XXV: Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz was born in Portici and was married to Ing. Vittorio Fidora, and was a proud mother and grandmother active in numerous cultural organizations. As a young woman she discovered Capri and settled on the island where she was active in cultural life. Noted intellectuals such as Ettore De Mura, Ottavio Nicolardi, Italia Gaeta, Giovanni Panza, Augusto Crocco, Mario Da Vinci were frequent guests in her home.

Her first collection of poetry appeared in 1973 under the title 'E Vvarche e ‘O Core. In 1980 she published her well known collection 'O Viulino with Editore Delfino. She has been crowned by critics as the Neapolitan language “Poet of Love”. She also authored the lyrics of many Neapolitan songs set to music by Matassa and Marchese among others, and which were recorded by various artists. She authored a verse version of the Via Crucis and in 1976 became the first woman to write a dramatic sceneggiata, which was staged at the Teatro 2000 in Naples. Her early works are housed in the National Library of Naples and in the Lucchesi-Palli library.

Fidora in addition to participating in many radio broadcasts on Radio Ischia’s Diamoci del Del Tu Nel Cuore della Notte hosted by Beppy Banfi, she also was a frequent guest in the Salotto Tolino and she travelled with the Associazione dei Poeti e Scrittori Dialettali d’Italia. She also served as a judge in Neapolitan poetry events. She was awarded by the Foyer des Artistes in a ceremony at Palazzo Barberini in Rome with Cardinal Oddi. In 1986, upon request of Curzio Malaparte’s family, her poem Villa Malaparte was set in the wall of the entrance to the novelist’s Capri villa. Beyond her literary output, she is remembered for her generosity and frequently worked with various charities at a national level, appearing on radio and television to raise funds for sick and disabled children.

From her vast writings, one of the most iconic and popular among the Neapolitan public is her 1980 poem ‘O Viulino, considered emblematic of her poetics in classical Neapolitan. Her 1982 poem Snoopy is likewise characteristic of her writing and Neapolitan feeling in its reminiscence of a stray dog she lovingly adopted.

‘O Viulino

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Pe stu suonno ca faccio stasera ,

torna ancora guaglione stu core ,

pecchè sente 'int''all'aria leggera ,

nu mutivo ca parla d'ammore .

 

Ciento amice me stanno vicino

ma tu sulo , c''o ssaje te n'adduone,

ca sò sola a sentì stu viulino ,

ca nzurdina pe me tu mo suone...

 

Chesti nnote ricordano a 'o core ,

nu suspiro , nu triemmulo 'e mane ,

na cartella , nu libbro , nu sciore ,

nu saluto ca dice : «Dimane!»

 

Chesti ccose 'e tenevo astipate

nzieme 'e ccose ca voglio scurdà...

ma stasera , sti nnote sunate ,

ll'hanno fatto pe n'ora turnà!...

The Violin

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Through this dream I’m having this evening ,

this heart of mine is a girl’s again ,

because it hears in the light air ,

a motif that speaks of love .

 

A hundred friends are near me

but only you , know and realize it,

that only I hear this violin ,

that you now play softly for me...

 

These notes remind the heart of 

a sigh , a tremble of the hand ,

a folder , a book , a flower ,

a greeting that says : «Until tomorrow!»

 

These things I’d kept stored away

together  with the things I want to forget...

but this evening , these notes played ,

made them come back for an hour!...

Snoopy

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Se dice spisso, «Il cane mio lo sai

Ha il pedigree. È tanto ubbidiente,

se lo vedessi a zonzo non va mai,

perché di razza pura, veramente!»

‘O cane mio, invece è lazzarone,

nun tene ‘o pedigrì è mpertinente,

sta sempe stiso a ‘o sole, è nu birbone,

nun fa nemmeno ‘a guardia… nun  fa niente!

Tene na recchia ‘e renza, n’ata aizata,

n’uocchio nfussato e proprio ‘o naso ‘e cane,

ma chi antrasatto ‘o ncontra mmiez’’a strata

nun pò fà a meno ‘e dí: «Che bellu cane!»

Pirciò, che saccio, è overo c’’a bellezza

ncopp’a sta terra nun è certo  tutto,

pecché, se fa cchiù spisso na carezza

a chi pe sciorta nera è nato brutto!

Snoopy

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

One often says, «You know my dog

has a pedigree. He’s so obedient,

if you see him he never goes roaming,

because he’s a pure breed, truly!»

My dog, instead is a lazzarone,

he doesn’t have a pedigree, he’s impertinent,

he’s always laying out in the sun, he’s a rascal,

he doesn’t even guard anything… he does nothing!

He’s got an ear flopped over, another raised,

a sunken eye and a real dog’s nose,

but those who suddenly encounter him in the middle of the street

can’t help but say: «What a beautiful dog!»

Therefore, I know, it is true that beauty

in this world is certainly not everything,

because, one often gives a caress

to one who by bad luck was born ugly!

*Translations and Notes by Cav. Charles Sant’Elia

Download The Reconquista of Naples: The Army of Holy Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ‘Dei Sanfedisti’

New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Lulu.com

• The Reconquista of Naples: The Army of Holy Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ‘Dei Sanfedisti’ by Ian Peplow

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: June 27, 2020

Ebook format (PDF): $5.00

Language: English

Pages: 16

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Malta Walk NYC

MALTA WALKS Thursday, July 15th at 6:30PM: Now more than ever, the homeless population is most evident and in need of our generosity. We would like to invite volunteers to meet on the North East side of 34 Street and Park Avenue to distribute pre-made bags for the homeless. Pre-made bags will include sandwiches, hand sanitizer, toiletry kits, individually wrapped masks, snacks and water. Email francesca.t.tempesta@gmail.com to participate.

Photo of the Week: Church of San Gennaro in the Real Bosco di Capodimonte, Napoli

Chiesa di San Gennaro, Real Bosco di Capodimonte,
built in 1745 at the behest of King Charles of Bourbon
Photo of New York Scugnizzo

New Book — Underworld: Imagining the Afterlife in Ancient South Italian Vase Painting

Forthcoming title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

• Underworld: Imagining the Afterlife in Ancient South Italian Vase Painting by David Saunders

Publisher: JP Getty Museum

Publication Date: Jan. 4, 2022

Hardcover: $70.00

Language: English

Pages: 240

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Happy National U.S. Postage Stamp Day!

St. Junipero Serra, 1985

In celebration of National U.S. Postage Stamp Day, I thought it would be fun to share a few favorites from my collection. Naturally, since July 1st is the Feast of St. Junipero Serra, I had to include the ones I have portraying the great Saint.

First Day of Issue St. Junipero Serra, 1985

(L) Madonna and Child by Paolo de Matteis, 1996.
(R) Madonna and Child by Antonello da Messina, 1960

War hero John Basilone, 2005

(L) Edgar Allan Poe, 1949. (R) Washington Irving, 1940

Naval heroes Stephen Decatur and Thomas MacDonough, 1937

Norse explorer, Lief Erikson, 1968

(L) Princess Grace, 1993. (R) Edgar Rice Burroughs with Tarzan, 2012

Snoopy as Flying Ace (Peanuts Comic Strip), 2001

New Kindle Edition — Music in Seventeenth-Century Naples: Francesco Provenzale (1624–1704)

New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

• Music in Seventeenth-Century Naples: Francesco Provenzale (1624–1704) by Dinko Fabris

Publisher: Routledge

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Publication Date: June 28, 2021

Kindle: $9.99

Language: English

File size: 5251 KB

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Photo of the Week: Duomo di Amalfi's Tympanum with Mosaic of Sant'Andrea Apostolo

Photo by Andrew Giordano

Happy Birthday Princess Maria Carolina!

HRH was born in Rome, Italy on June 23, 2003

Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone

Happy Birthday Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria and Palermo! May God's love and affection be with you always! Auguri Altezza Reale!

Photo of the Week: Battesimo di Cristo by Francesco Curia in the Cappella Brancaccio, Duomo di Napoli

Photo by Andrew Giordano

New Music — Alessandro Scarlatti: Opera Omnia Per Tastiera vol. VII

New music that may be of interest to our readers.

• Alessandro Scarlatti: Opera Omnia Per Tastiera vol. VII performed by Francesco Tasini

Label: Tactus Records

Release Date: May 18, 2021

Audio CD: $24.99

Number of Discs: 2

Available at Amazon.com

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New Book — In the Shadow of the Empress: The Defiant Lives of Maria Theresa, Mother of Marie Antoinette, and Her Daughters

Forthcoming title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

• In the Shadow of the Empress: The Defiant Lives of Maria Theresa, Mother of Marie Antoinette, and Her Daughters by Nancy Goldstone

Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Publication Date: September 21, 2021
Hardcover: $26.99
Language: English
Pages: 640

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Happy Birthday Princess Beatrice di Borbone!

HRH was born in Saint-Raphaël, France on June 16, 1950
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Il Regno would like to extend our warmest birthday wishes to Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, Dame Grand Cross of Justice and Grand Prefect of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. May God continue to shower you with all the blessings you truly deserve. Auguri Altezza Reale!

Photo of the Week: The Fontana della Sellaria

The Sellaria Fountain in Piazzetta Grande Archivio in Napoli commemorates the suppression of the Neapolitan revolution (1647-48) by Viceroy Iñigo Velez de Guevara. Originally located in Piazza della Sellaria, from which it takes its name, the fountain was moved in 1906 following the renovation works at the no longer exstant square. The fountain was designed and built by Onofrio Antonio Gisolfo (active 1637 – d. 1656), the chief royal engineer of the Kingdom of Naples. 
Photo by Andrew Giordano

Around the Web — June, 2021

Some items of interest from around the web.

Soccavo, Ritrovato un Dipinto “Perduto” di Massimo Stanzione

Madonna di Costantinopoli

Reprinted from Il Crivello.it

Secondo lo storico dell'arte Giuseppe Porzio la pala d'altare raffigurante la "Madonna di Costantinopoli", di grande valore artistico, sarebbe stata realizzata in piena epoca barocca. Dopo il restauro sarà esposta nelle sale del Museo diocesano di Pozzuoli. 

La notizia è sicuramente una di quelle che farebbero emozionare qualsiasi amante dell’arte e della cultura: all’interno della parrocchia di Santa Maria delle Grazie a Soccavo, popoloso quartiere della periferia occidentale di Napoli, più precisamente nella cappella dedicata a San Donato, è stato ritrovato un antichissimo dipinto realizzato dal pittore Massimo Stazione, tra i massimi esponenti del Barocco napoletano. La pala d’altare, finora rimasta ignota e custodita nella cappella partenopea nel più totale anonimato, è stata scoperta da Giuseppe Porzio, docente di Storia dell’arte presso l’Università “L’Orientale” di Napoli, il quale ha riconosciuto l’opera dopo un lungo e attento studio commissionato dall’ufficio diocesano per i beni culturali ecclesiastici. Continue reading

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La Tradizione Napoletana nel Regno di Napoli

Carlisti

Reprinted from IMG Press

Avevo promesso in conclusione del suggestivo studio di Francisco Elias de Tejada, “La Monarchia tradizionale” di sviluppare il tema dell’ultimo capitolo in riguardo al Regno di Napoli. De Tejada, studioso e filosofo spagnolo, nonché esponente del carlismo politico spagnolo, è vissuto a Napoli per sette anni, peraltro sposando una donna napoletana.

Nella parte conclusiva del testo, pubblicato in Italia per la prima volta, dalle Edizioni dell’Albero nel 1966, affronta il tema della tradizione di Napoli, per certi versi si tratta di un inno alla napoletanità. È uno studio che Tejada aveva accarezzato già dagli anni dell’infanzia. E’ un richiamo del sangue che lo ha spinto “a cercare notizie su quel paese azzurro e oro in cui le memorie dei miei antenati e la curiosità dell’incantesimo tessevano leggende”, nonostante tutto senza mettere piede in via Toledo. Già si sentiva Napoletano di cuore. I suoi antenati erano partiti da Napoli tre secoli fa ai tempi del re Filippo IV, per stabilirsi in Estremadura. Continue reading

New Book: The Politics of Identity in Greek Sicily and Southern Italy

Forthcoming title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

• The Politics of Identity in Greek Sicily and Southern Italy (Greeks Overseas) by Mark Thatcher

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Publication Date: September 15, 2021

Hardcover: $99.00

Language: English

Pages: 344

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