La Famiglia

Parte due...

The hill climb to the church through the cherry blossoms, I have to report, is not on any film. The church external is on video, not photographed. Later, during the ceremony, I develop a technique in which hold both the video camera and the digital camera together as a unit and operate them simultaneously. A pity that I haven't practiced this before.

Anyway, inside this church, circa 16th century, it is a classic. The organ music and choir has been practicing the music planned by Stefano and Simona. Before we know it, the wedding procession begins and the ceremony amid mounds of flowers begins. It is too, a classic high mass ceremony. The priest has his lines down pat, and they are very long. I whisper to Franz: "Que dicce?" Franz: "The instruction book." OK.

The ceremony has some parts that are identical with American weddings, the rings, the vows, etc. When he pronounces man and wife, there is no traditional kiss, a simple embrace. The kisses come later. The signing of the formal wedding papers is aside the altar, and then a few photos are taken of the sposi. Meanwhile all of the 120 guests are waiting outside with rice and confetti. There is no wedding music retreat. The bride and groom walk out the door to a torrent of rice and confetti. I am behind them, and the door is slammed before I can get out by the nuns. (Don't want to have to clean up too much rice!).

In a few minutes I pry my way past the barracade into the sun where there is a crowd around the couple...centre courtyard. This goes on for some 10 minutes, and then they move to the side of the church overlooking the valley, Torino and the Alps. In turn, group pictures of the families Russo, Brunetti, the friends likewise, but no pictures of the intimate parents and the newly wed couple. the picture taking is very short and very few.

Later Iris and Franz remark that the only pictures in intimacy were taken by me at the house, minus Simona. A pity. I think this is not a traditional process, but more of a lack of understanding by the photographer. It does happen.

Anyway, it is finished at the church. About an hour, and now the feste begins at Defillipi.

parte tre dopo

Enzo

the Alps and Mont Viso

the altar, the chorus & organ, the wedding

The Russos, Iris & Francesco, The Brunettis

Simona e Stefano, ditto, 2 cousins, eric and Nick

Parte tre...

Down the hill and along the familiar road for a few kilometers and we arrive at Defillipi. The restaurant is open only for the celebration. Outside, a full wheel of "grana" is chipped into pieces that are consumed with a variety of drink, including my favorite, (their version of) Campari e Soda. This Feste will now go on for, I think, 4-5 hours...eating, drinking, dancing and singing.

Inside tables are arranged and color-coded with a master plan in the piazza for each to find his place. A really fine group of musicians with an extensive repitoire of music plays. The artists are professionals and friends of Simona and Stefi. They play arrangements that they have created and are presented with full midi/Roland keyboard mastery that is superb. The three voices are excellent and blend as, it seems, all Italian voices somehow find a way to become one. The music ranges from traditional north-southern Italian, to contemporary Italian and American.

The wedding retreat march is now played; the couple dance and all toast. There is a lot of clapping and cheering.

We discover the menu for the afternoon is long and filled with tradition. There are fine still wines and also those special from Monferrato: vivace vini to die for. Those live bubbling wines that are not ever seen outside of this region, at least to my experience (letalone in America!).

Nick and Eric are strategically placed at a table with some of Simona's friends. It seems that they are enjoying themselves!

I have discovered that pictures of the family Brunetti are missing...I missed the dual process and instead captured only video....what can I say. I do have one of the extended friends/family, but, what can I say?

Food follows the traditional courses of
o antipasti
o primi piati

then a pause for about 30 minutes with a sorbetto "Sgroppino" and dancing to prepare the participants for the next movement in this opera de mangiare...il Secondo Piato

Il Secondo is really two in one. both are prepared al forno and served almost simultaneously: Capretto and Vitello. The meat is on a cart with flaming skewers and is wheeled to each table for inspection. I think that when people  (from America) hear that this is goat and veal, they think.???? But, the young goat is so good and sweet, a taste between very young lamb and roast pork...  The veal is likewise young and fine.
the small onions and sauces complement both. This goes on for some time.

The wedding cake (Torta Nuziale) is a layered piece of thin pastry, chocolate, nuts, strawberries, and whipped cream. Followed bystrawberries and gelato topped with a cordial of your liking.

Caffe and a number of choices of digestivi.

Meanwhile through all of this the dancing and singing is going on. Some of the dances are directly from Sicily (Russos), it is frenetic, and exhausting, it seems, for the dancers. They dance in pairs and in lines and the music is loud. There are many tangos, a favorite of all. And waltzes with dignity and with some apparent capability of the dancers. These guys do not have stiff legs!

Some of the party joins the musicians and sing just as perfectly as the professionals...Francesca, of the Russos.

Toward the end, there is a pause, and I discover that Simona has the microphone and is singing a duet with the band. The effect and total, perfect sound overcomes me. Then there is a joining of Simona and Stefi for a final song, where Simona sings alone, again with perfection and emotion. I manage to capture this on the video camera and a few pictures, despite the fact that I can hardly see the viewscreens. This is tough stuff!

The goodbyes in the courtyard follow, and we make our way back to Torino...what a day!

Da Torino
Enzo

Defillipi, The Grana, Simona e Stefano, 2 cousins Nick & Eric

La Feste begins with the kiss, Francesco enjoying, the menu, goat & potatoes

Cousins again, eating and telephoning, more of the Brunetti table, What??

Singing by all: Francesca, Simona e Stefano