Milan’s La Scala and Paris Opera commission opera based on Umberto Eco’s ‘The Name of the Rose’
Italian composer Francesco Filidei has been commissioned by Milan’s Teatro alla Scala and the Paris Opera to write a new opera based on Umberto Eco’s most famous novel “The Name of the Rose,″ the opera houses announced Friday. The world premiere has already been scheduled, at La Scala on April 27, 2025, conducted by Ingo Metzmacher and starring mez...
Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame honors DJ John DeBella and others
Longtime Philadelphia music personality John DeBella was presented with a bronze commemorative plaque on Broad Street’s Avenue of the Arts during 2023 Walk of Fame ceremonies on April 20. “This is the greatest honor of my career,” he said. “I am overjoyed for being added to this incredible list of talented people. Anyone have a good metal polishing...
5 Italian Riviera Destinations To Discover This Summer
Even though the Italian Riviera is among the most visited and photographed seaside regions in the world, there are still many places to discover that are blissfully less crowded than the globally famous Portofino and Cinque Terre. Here are five Riviera destinations to get to know better this summer. Riviera Islands The Italian Riviera is renowned f...
Italian Disco marries old-school fare with modern flair
Baltimore, Maryland's Italian Disco has that "it" factor many restaurants seek. The restaurant serves Italian fare and tunes straight out of the '70s and '80s, giving it an old-school flavor with modern energy. There's a DJ spinning tracks, hot pizzas coming out of the oven, and drinks flowing from the bar. Owned by brothers Alex and Eric Smith and...
8 Wild Foods to Forage for in Puglia
In Puglia and Basilicata, bunches of asparagus at small greengrocers have a wild look. These lanky stalks are distant relatives of the shoots you’d find packaged in a supermarket — because they’re foraged. Learning the art of scavenger hunting for asparagus in forests, and king trumpet mushrooms among wild thistle, is a way of life in towns around...
15th annual Festa della Repubblica set for Pompeii
Com.It.Es (Comitato per gli italiani all’estero) and Comitato Tricolore Italiani nel Mondo will host the 15th annual Festa della Repubblica on June 4 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago. The event celebrates the birth of the Italian republic and bears the distinction of being the only such celebration outside of Italy to feature a parad...
Why Italian food absolutely deserves to be UNESCO-recognized
Italian food is incredible stuff. From hearty pasta dishes to remarkable wine, the cuisine at large is among the best on earth. And now, it’s (almost) a UNESCO-recognized genre of food. Perhaps it’s no surprise. This is the country, after all, that’s graciously supplied the world with Chianti, gelato, pasta carbonara, the Aperol spritz, and so much...
Jersey City’s Venti Food Truck Opening Brick and Mortar Shop
A Jersey City food truck that has been a staple of Exchange Place for half a decade is heading west as Venti Italian Specialties will be opening their first brick-and-mortar storefront inside space just off the Journal Square neighborhood. Venti Italian Specialties recently posted on their Instagram account that they are opening a proper storefront...
Pompeii Had Ancient City Walls (& This Is What The Graffiti On Them Says)
Cataclysm overtook the Roman city of Pompeii with the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in AD 79. This was the period of the Pax Romana when the Roman Empire was at its height, and the empire and Italian peninsula were largely secure. During this time, the city of Rome barely had any defensive walls (the impressive Aurelian walls were yet to be built). It wa...
Italian brands are making a push for the American market
Last month, America’s design cognoscenti flocked to Italy for an annual pilgrimage that—Covid notwithstanding—has become a predictable migratory pattern. Just as birds flock south for the winter in search of warmer weather, every spring, designers in sharp shoes and magazine editors in statement glasses head to Milan Design Week on the hunt for the...
Guide To Visiting The Italian Dolomites + Region Map & Tips
The Italian Dolomites, situated in the northeast of the country, form a mountain range celebrated for its rugged peaks, crystalline alpine lakes, and pristine natural beauty. Blessed with lush valleys, vibrant flora and fauna, and a dramatic tapestry of mountain vistas, the Dolomites offer an idyllic playground for outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and...
Tidbits: Ferraro’s Pizzeria and Cheesy Corner
Sandwiches bursting with dueling cheeses, a heaping bowl of piping-hot macaroni, crumbled feta scattered across a large pizza pie. After closing its doors in 2020 because of the pandemic, Ferraro’s Pizzeria and Cheesy Corner is back to reclaim its title as the ultimate comfort food spot, offering a take on New York-style pizza and Italian cuisine t...