Music and other Arts of War
(not part of FINAL DRAFT edition)
Detail LOCATION DIRECTORY
PALAZZO HOTEL (fiction location/institution)
The Palazzo hotel has been the Aresburg's(fiction) family palace in Siena since the Renaissance. In the late 1800's during "grand tour" influx of wealthy travelers from U.S. and America and during a time of financial depression in Europe, the palace evolved from an invitation-only penseoni (sort of B&B) to the hotel it is today. The Carnegies, Vanderbilts, Fords, Prince of Wales, clamored for reservations. Henry Clay Frick was among them. His grown daughter had a permanent residence there. It war (and is) a preferred residence for guest Chigiana musicians. Again, the Palazzo hotel and it’s history and events depicted in this story are fictional. However, the photos presented here are of the Palazzo Rivizza Hotel in Siena.
ACCADEMIA CHIGIANA (historic institution/location)
A music institute in Siena Italy, Founded by Count Guido Chigi Saracen in 1932 as an international center for advanced musical studies. Master Classes in the Major musical instruments as well as singing, conducting and composition are held during the summer months. A series of concerts are held under the title of Estate Musicale Chigiana. Olga Rudge began working there as the Count's executive secretary during the great depression when classical performance venues were becoming fewer and fewer. A series of concerts are held under the title of Estate Musicale Chigiana. In 1938 the Accedemia became the first to perform the works of Antonio Vivaldi that had been discovered near Turin.
BANCA MONTE DEI PASCHI DI SIENA (historic location/institution)
The bank founded in Siena in 1472 is considered to be the oldest in the world and today (2013) it is Italy’s third largest. It has long had a reputation for supporting Italian art, music and cultural endeavors. Currently, considered a less than successful banking enterprise. Character Paolo's father is president there.
DUOMO (Siena, historic location)
Cathedrale di Santa Maria-Siena's Duomo was built 1215-1263 and designed in part by Gothic master Nicola Pisano and son during a great time of wealth and power for Siena and during a time of great rivalry with Florence (Siena's Duomo was completed before Duomo in Florence). Extensively restored in the 1800s and again in the late 1900s. It is often referred to as one of the worlds most beautiful cathedrals.
DANIELI HOTEL, Venice (historic location/institution)
Built by a noble Venetian family in the 15th century on the edge of St. Marks basin it was first known as Palazzo Dandle. In the 1820 it was renamed the Danieli began it's voyage to become and remain one of Italy's most opulent and hotels.
GRITTI PALACE, Venice (historic location/institution)
Built in the mid 1500 for Doge Andrea Gritti. The hotel, near St. Marks and Harry’s Bar, was frequented by the elite including Ernest Hemmingway. Remains one of Venices (some say overpriced) grand 5 star hotels.
HARRY’S BAR, Venice (historic location/instutition)
Giuseppe Cipriani--Original owner of Harry's Bar in Venice (Harry's son runs the place today-2013). The bar was named after American Harry Pickering. When Giuseppe worked at the Hotel Europe Bar (Venice), he loaned a broke Harry 10,000 Lira never expecting to see his money again. Later Harry repaid him a total of 40,000 Lira for his kindness and told him to open his own bar for "high society and name it Harry's." So Giuseppe did. During WwII Giuseppe, like many Italians, did what he could to stay alive and working. After the war Harry's Bar became a watering hole for Americans Ernest Hemingway, Orson Welles, Frank Lloyd Wright, Joe de Maggio, Katherine Hepburn, Peggy Guggenheim, and others.
HELVETICA & BRISTOL HOTEL, Florence (historic place)
Since the mid 1800s a hotel choice for international elite. Evie stays there when she attends Paolo’s recital at Santa Croce Church in Florence.
OSPEDALE DELLA PIETA, Venice (historic location/institution)
In September 1703, Vivaldi became master of violin at the orphanage for girls, Pio Ospedale della Pieta, in Venice. He worked, composed, conducted and taught there on and off for about 30 years.Ospedale della Pieta in Baroque Venice was one of three homes for abandoned children funded mostly by the aristocracy for their illegitimate offsprings. In September 1703, Vivaldi became master of violin at the orphanage for girls, Pio Ospedale della Pieta. He worked, composed, conducted, and taught there on and off for about 30 years.
PALIO (historic/current event)
Palio: The ancient spectacle bareback horse race that dates to at least the 13th century and likely has its roots in Roman military training. The race takes several days of preliminaries while the race itself takes about 90 seconds. The name, Il Palio, comes from the Italian word for banner, which in the Middle Ages was presented as a prize in tournaments. The race is held between 10 of the 17 neighborhoods within Siena’s ancient city walls. It continues to this day to be a worldwide draw for capacity crowds. The winner of the Palio, which is held in honor of the Virgin Mary, earns a hand-painted silk banner bearing her image.
ST. MARK’S SQUARE (historic location)
Construction on Piazza San Marco began in the 9th century and since the 1600s has been one of the world's greatest tourist attractions in a city that was possibly the western world's first destination cities. It is the largest square in Venice and surrounded by the Doge's Palace, Bell Tower (Campanile), St. Marks' Basilica (Cathedral), Sansovinian Library and other historic buildings. Dance orchestras play at various outdoor cafes during the evening. The Square has been called the world's most beautiful living room.
TURIN NATIONAL LIBRARY
Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino, one of Italy's main libraries, was founded in 1720. The library was among the first called to estimate a value of the Vivaldi manuscripts found at the Salesian monetary in Piedmont. Prof. Alberto Gentile was in charge of the Vivaldi manuscripts. The library was one of the first bombed by RAF forces during WWII; hundred's of thousand of books and manuscripts were lost.
BANCO MONTE DEI PACHI DI SIENA (historic location/institution)
The bank founded in Siena in 1472 is considered to be the oldest in the world and today (2013) it is Italy’s third largest. It has long had a reputation for supporting Italian art, music and cultural endeavors.
PONTE VECCHIO, Florence
Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) was the only bridge crossing the Arno River until 1218. The current bridge was rebuilt in 1345 after a flood. As was the custom of the time various shuttered shops lined the bridge. Initially butcher shops lined the bridge but in1593--reportedly due to the fact that the Medicis who crossed it daily were offended by the smell--only goldsmiths and jewelers were allowed. It was the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed during the German occupation
UFFIZI Building (historic location/institution)
The u-shaped Uffizi (offices) building was ordered in 1560 and completed in 1574. The Uffizi Art Gallery, on the top floor, was open to the public1769 as one of the world's first public museums. It is one of the world’s most visited museums. (fiction note: Bruno has a studio here)
SIENA, TUSCANY, ITALY (historic/current location)
Siena is the embodiment of a medieval city. Its inhabitants pursued their rivalry with Florence right into the area of urban planning. Throughout the centuries, they preserved their city's Gothic appearance, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries. During this period the work of Duccio, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini was to influence the course of Italian and, more broadly, European art. The whole city of Siena, built around the Piazza del Campo, was devised as a work of art that blends into the surrounding landscape. Accademia Chigiana and the Race for the Pailo are here. In the early 1900s it became the Artifact Forgery Capitol of Europe and Tuscany's largest industries.
SANTA CROCE CHURCH, Florence (historic location)
Santa Croce Church was rebuilt for the Franciscan order in 1294 by Arnolfo di Cambio, is the burial place for the great and good in Florence. Michelangelo is buried in Santa Croce, as are Rossini, Machiavelli, and the Pisan-born Galileo Galilei, who was tried by the Inquisition and was not allowed a Christian burial until 1737, 95 years after his death. There is also a memorial to Dante, but his sarcophagus is empty (he is actually buried in Ravenna as he was exiled from Florence). It is open to tourist and often used as a concert/recital setting for local and visiting musicians.
GRITTI PALACE (historic location/institution)
The Gritti Palace dates back to 1475 when the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti, commissioned it. At first the official residence of the Gritti family, the palace was later used as the residence of the Vatican ambassadors to Venice.
It was at the beginning of the 19th century that The Gritti Palace was turned into a hotel. Guests include Hemingway, Churchill, De Gaulle, Bacall, Bogart, Chaplin, Garbo, Stravinsky, Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene, Elizabeth Taylor, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Orson Welles, Frank Lloyd Wright, Springsteen, Dylan, Pacino, Pavarotti, De Niro, Jagger, Winslet, Cruise, Kidman and Woody Allen
HMS LIVERPOOL (historic ship)
The cargo and passenger ship torpedoed and sunk by German UBoat in 1918 while sailing to New York from England . Sophia Stallenburger who was believed to be Evie's mother, died on board.