8 March 2019

8 March

Antonello Venditti - enduring music star


Roman singer-songwriter's career spans almost 50 years

Singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti, one of Italy's most popular and enduring stars of contemporary music, was born on this day in 1949 in Rome. Famous in the 1970s for the strong political and social content of many of his songs, Venditti can look back on a career spanning half a century, in which he has sold more than 30 million records. His biggest success came with the 1988 album In questo mondo di ladri - In this world of thieves - which sold 1.5 million copies, making it jointly the eighth best-selling album in Italian music history. Venditti's music ranges from folk to soft rock, often with classical overtones. He enjoyed sustained success in the 1980s and 90s. He is still performing today, marking his 70th birthday with a concert in Rome. Read more…

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Carlo Gesualdo – composer


Madrigal writer was also a murderer

Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa, who composed highly experimental music for his time, was born on this day in 1566 in the principality of Venosa, then part of the Kingdom of Naples.  He was to become known both for his extraordinary music and for the brutal killing of his first wife, Donna Maria D’Avalos, and her lover Fabrizio Carafa, Duke of Andria and Count of Ruova after he caught them together, although a court hearing decided he had committed no crime. Gesualdo was the nephew of Carlo Borromeo, who later became Saint Charles Borromeo.  Gesualdo’s most famous works were his six books of madrigals. The Music Conservatory in Potenza is named the Conservatoria di Musica Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa in his honour. Read more…

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La Festa della Donna – Women’s Day


Bright fragrant mimosa signals respect 

Women’s Day - La Festa della Donna - is celebrated in Italy on this day every year and is an occasion for men to show their appreciation for the women in their lives. All over Italy today men will be seen carrying bunches of prettily wrapped mimosa to give to women who are special to them. The flowers might be for their wives, girlfriends, mothers, friends or even employees and are meant as a sign of respect for womanhood. The custom of men giving mimosa to their ladies began in the 1940s after the date 8 March was chosen as the Festa della Donna (Festival of the Woman) in Italy. The date coincides with International Women's Day and also has a political significance. Read more…

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