The Private Sector Bail-Out of Europe’s Culture Industry

November 16, 2012

…Struggling under unpaid debts and forced into austerity, governments in countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy are slashing their culture budgets in search of potential savings. That’s put Europe’s artistic and cultural heritage at risk, and not just from well-meaning senior citizens…So far, the private sector help has often come in the form of direct sponsorship of programming… Unsurprisingly, there have been plenty of skeptics, mostly from the art world. The monument rental plan has Greek archeologists up in arms, calling it “sacrilege.” UNESCO has threatened to declassify Seville’s Old Town as a World Heritage Site, and outrage about selling the image of the Colosseum has led to a lawsuit, temporarily delaying renovation plans. In particular, the sight of Venice’s famed Doge’s Palace, which is now draped with Coca-Cola billboards, has raised alarm in the international art community. “Covering the Doge’s Palace in Venice was a very poor decision that was strongly contested and should not be repeated anywhere else,” explained Ilaria Borletti Buitoni, the president of Fondo Ambiente Italiano (Italian National Trust). “If Diego Della Valle is willing to pay for the restoration of the Colosseum he may also use this to promote his brand in the world, but without any personalization of the monument such as putting billboards on its façades.”

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From The New Republic blog By Eileen Shim

FAI's New Treasure
Villa dei Vescovi, a True Delight!

June 26, 2011

..."The most important pre-Palladian villa in Veneto, the bishops’ summer home,
is now open to the public.."

When speaking of the history of books, we refer to what was produced during the early decades of the printing press era as incunabula. These volumes retain all the fragility and primitive fascination of something that was born but is not yet fully developed. The Villa dei Vescovi in Luvigliano is the incunabulo of the long history of the villas of Veneto. It is a unique building and marks the beginning of a new architectural era that would reach, in the coming centuries, the English countryside and the plantations of Virginia.

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Article translated from page 39
of the special Sunday insert of Il Sole 24 Ore
June 26, 2011 by Guido Beltramini

Trophy Time

November 14, 2010

..."Nov. 10: Friends of FAI gave a dinner at the Morgan Library after a concert at Canergie Hall. FAI is devoted to preserving Italian Heritage."


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From an article on The New York Times
November 14, 2010 by Bill Cunningham

Family Ties and Moody Music

November 13, 2010

The Friends of FAI, The National Trust for Italy, hosted their gala dinner following an Antonio Vivaldi and Philip Glass concert at Carnegie Hall at the newly refurbished Morgan Library.

"Our charity promotes the preservation of Italian landmarks for the benefit of great homes and great collections," said Chairman of Advisory Trustees Lynn Forester de Rothschild.
As if that wasn't synergistic enough, the concert featured Mr. Glass's American interpretation of Mr. Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons."

"It was a fantastic concert," said Mercedes Bass. Violinist Robert McDuffie "is a genius and I loved the Philip Glass piece. The music of Philip and Vivaldi resemble each other. It was sublime."

"It was nice to hear one of the greatest hits reworked," said David Rockefeller Jr. "The violinists were dancing."

Unfortunately Mr. Glass wasn't able to hear the accolades in person, but Mr. McDuffie offered a bit of insight into the project. "I told him that Vivaldi was Italy's Philip Glass," he said. "He wrote the four beautiful movements, but when we disagreed which was winter and which was summer, we decided not to name them."


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From an article on >The Wall Street Journal
November 13, 2010 by Priya Rao

The Italian Job

November 11, 2010

Since when has any performer at Carnegie Hall finished a performance to the sort of hooting, hollering, and whistling generally reserved for a Lady Gaga concert at MSG? Since last night. When violin maestro Robert McDuffie and the Venice Baroque Orchestra drop finished movement of the new Philip Glass commission, "The American Four Seasons," even the prime boxes at Carnegie were just as ecstatic in their praise as the top tier balcony. "Holy sh*it!" gasped one UES-esque social to her tuxedoed date, before covering her mouth with her hand. "Excuse me, but that was mindblowing!"

And it was. The musical moment in question came courtesy of the Friends of FAI, an organization benefitting the National Trust for Italy, which sponsored last night's New York premiere of Glass' new masterpiece. FAI acquires properties of historical importance---villas, castles, libraries, art collections, and more---and restores them to a state of long-term sustainability. They are then opened to the public. Members of FAI's advisory board include Giorgio Armani, Anna Bulgari, and Chiara Ferragamo.

After the finale, which brought Glass to the stage for a three-round standing ovation, guests were transported by shuttle bus to the Morgan Library, where Friends of FAI's chairman of advisory trustees Lynn Forester de Rothschild greeted guests like Martha Wainright, Sid and Mercedes Bass. Rose Marie Bravo and Co. got to work with a meal of acorn squash soup (served en squash), peppercorn crusted sliced filet of beef (with black truffle creamed spinach), and vanilla meringue with meyer lemon curd and coconut dacquoise. The Pomino Bianco Benefizio 2007 and Nipozzano Chianti Refuna Riserva 2006 may have been the most popular items on the menu. Grazie, Marchesi de' Frescobaldi!

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From an article on Daily Front Row
November 11, 2010 by Ashley Baker

Behind the Scenes in London
The first European tour by Friends of FAI

May 20 - 26, 2010

It’s easy to navigate London’s main sights, restaurants and art scene, but the British capital is a multi-layered puzzle and the right kind of insider access can really make it come to life. This May, “London the Regal,” organized by Italian non-profit Friends of FAI, offers an itinerary that’s full of behind-the-scenes touring. During the six-day trip of London and environs, travelers will be treated to unprecedented private views, meals in extraordinary settings (a museum, a royal residence, the Houses of Parliament) and introductions to Britain’s great aristocracy, all guided by Dr. Colin Amery, the former architectural correspondent for the Financial Times.

Setting the historic and luxurious tone of the trip, guests will be staying at Brown’s, one of London’s oldest hotels that was completely refurbished by star designer Olga Polizzi, in 2003. The first dinner will be spent as guests of the Italian Ambassador, Alain Econòmides, at the Italian Ambassadors Residence in Grosvenor Square. Over the six days guests will have exceptional behind-the-scenes tours of such historical sights as Syon House and Park in North London, Highgrove, the royal estate and organic farm in Gloucestershire; Arundel Castle, seat of the Duke of Norfolk since the 11th century; the Chelsea Flower Show; Clarence House, the official residence of the Prince of Wales; and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

At Syon House, guests will not just admire the rare Robert Adam interiors, but enjoy an early lunch hosted by the Duke of Northumberland’s sister, Lady Caroline Percy. At Arundel Castle, the Duke’s private librarian will offer a tour of masterpieces including works by Canaletto and Van Dyck. Sir Evelyn and Lady de Rothschild will host a lunch at Ascott House, known for its theatrical style, which earned it the name gout Rothschild, and chairman of the V&A, Paul Ruddock, will host a tour of the museum along with the curators of the galleries. One dinner will be held at the Sir John Soane Museum, an architectural masterpiece that was also Sir John’s home, and lunch on the final day will be in the Peers’ Dining Room at the House of Lords as guests of Baroness Rawlings. Perhaps most exciting of all, the group will be treated to an unheard-of private preview of the Chelsea Flower Show, hosted by the show’s director.

All of this special access comes courtesy of Friends of FAI’s International Chairman Bona de’ Frescobaldi and FAI’s Chairman Lady de Rothschild, two passionate lovers of all-things Italian who have worked to support the work of the Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano for ten years. Now in its 35th year, FAI, like the National Trust in Britain, has acquired, restored and opened to the public, some twenty-five significant buildings across the country, attracting over 300,000 visitors per year. Friends of FAI, and its high profile board of trustees, including Giorgio Armani, help maintain existing FAI restorations, and raises money to fund new projects.

All proceeds of this special tour go towards the non-profit’s Italian heritage projects. For more information, a detailed itinerary and rates for this special journey, contact Indagare by email or phone (212-988-2611) or contact Friends of FAI at (39) 02717241 or email: italianoffice@friendsoffai.com.

From an article on www.indagare.com
March 30, 2010 by Nikki Ridgway

Piccolo Teatro di Milano, an Italian institution devoted to the preservation of Italian theatrical tradition, stands side by side with Friends of FAI, an Italian foundation devoted to the preservation of Italian architectural treasures. That's why FAI supporter Mara Fritz hosted a sumptuous Venetian dinner at her home Monday night to celebrate the Teatro's performances at Zellerbach this week. Most honored guest was Ferruccio Soleri, who is 76 and has been performing the lead role in "Arlecchino, Servant of Two Masters" since 1963. He was introduced by ACT's Carey Perloff.(...)

The evening's pleasures included the charm of Soleri (a partygoer experienced enough to have brought along a plastic clip to attach his wineglass to his dinner plate), gnocchi served in individual miniature pumpkins and five musicians in 18th century dress, who began with a formal fanfare and progressed, as the evening continued, to jazz, "Volare", "O Sole Mio", and "The Chicken Dance". There is room in Italian culture for many melodies.

From an article of the San Francisco Chronicle
October 26, 2005 by Leah Garchik

That real Roman goddess, Daniela Faggioli, and that goddess of hospitality, Tamara Fritz, welcomed a few other Roman icons to town Monday night in the grand style. A theatre troupe, Piccolo, from Milan performing the still lively ancestor of all improvisational comedy "Arlecchino", was feted by the ladies at the Fritz home to benefit FAI-an organization here and in Italy that restores ancient Italian homes and monuments. I tell you the Italians pack it all into an evening-ancient improve, stylized comedy, opera parody, restoration, society and struggling artists. ... And of course succulent food. Viola Buitoni, a young chef, came out of retirement (she's a mom these days) to prepare a Venetian feast.

All kinds of risotto cooking in a house full of performers changing clothes, etc. ... The lead role-an energetic masked harlequin-has been played for 43 years by the impish Ferruccio Soleri. (...) Playhouse.

... Among the welcomes Monday: Barbro Osher...Carey Perloff ... Paul Pelosi ... Richard Snyder ... Kathleen Alioto ... Macy's Bob Mettler ... and some lively musicians: Claudio Bondi ... Francesco Mazzoleni ... Gianni Bobbio ... Franco Emaldi ... Paoli Matei ... Ivo Meletti.

From an article in the San Francisco Examiner -
October 26, 2005 by P.J. Corkery

THE NEW SCHOLARSHIP

In cooperation with New York University and the Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, Friends of FAI will offer a six-month scholarship for a student from New York University at the Milan offices of FAI. This opportunity will be a chance for the student not only to tour FAI's properties and to become thoroughly acquainted with the processes of fundraising and restoration; but also to create a channel linking Italian and American cultures.

If you wish to support the new scholarship please contact our
International Office at italianoffice@friendsoffai.com.