Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'italian'

Church's Nativity Scene Grows Over 40 Years

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:16:00 EST

From the Rockettes to the giant tree at Rockefeller Center, New York glitters with Christmastime traditions. One is a bit off the beaten path: The Nativity scene at St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Brooklyn. It began 40 years ago with an Italian immigrant who created a small display. It has grown with hundreds of shepherds, peasants and little houses — though still just one baby Jesus.

Brazilians Kassin+2, Plus Italian Pizza

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:27:00 EST

The Rio de Janeiro-based, electronic-tinged "samba soul" practitioners visit WNYC's studios for a live performance and interview. Along the way, they show a Soundcheck producer her new favorite pizza place.

In Italy, Feminism Out, Women As Sex Symbols In

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Opinion polls indicate that the showgirl is the No. 1 role model for young Italian women. Women dominate in advertising and TV shows, but the presence of women in the Italian work force, in management and in politics is drastically lower than in the rest of Europe. Some blame Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Italian Crime Writers Make An International Splash

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:22:00 EST

Two new crime novels show Italy opening itself up and asserting itself as part of the wider world — even if its prime minister often seems lost in his provincial past.

It's The Time Of Year To Go Plum Crazy

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:25:00 EDT

Purple-black, sweet-tart Italian prune plums are far easier to cook with than their summer cousins, making them a favorite for desserts as well as savory dishes. But better act fast — the season is short, and it's already upon us.

Double Trouble For Twins In Switcharoo

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:49:00 EDT

An Italian lawyer too busy to handle a case sent her identical, nonlawyer twin, to handle it. Prosecutors have charged them with fraud, and the clients are suing for damages.

American Pizza Chefs Study With The Master

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:01:00 EDT

For decades, pizza chefs — or pizzaiolos Â� around the world have held a deep admiration for Italian pizza maker Graziano Bertuzzo. As of this month, pizzaiolos can take classes from the master of their trade at a new pizza-making school in Northern California.

Taking The Risk Out Of Risotto

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:50:00 EDT

Risotto has a reputation as a risky endeavor requiring constant, slow stirring — and no shortcuts. But a little practice and the proper technique can open the door to countless variations of this creamy, Italian rice dish.

Public Outcry Stalls Beauty Contest For Nuns

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

An Italian priest set aside his plan to hold a beauty contest for nuns. The Rev. Antonio Rungi says he wanted to change the image of nuns and to fight the stereotype that they're old and cranky. He planned an online competition for nuns with the best "overall beauty." But Rungi was attacked via phone calls and e-mails, so he put off the competition he called "Miss Sister 2008."

Family Traditions: Hard Work And Italian Food

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:09:00 EDT

When he opened a restaurant nearly 30 years ago, Joe Spano Sr. used the cooking skills he had learned from his mother. The lessons he passed on to his own son have kept the restaurant in business.

Why K2 Is Deadlier Than Mount Everest

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Eleven people are feared dead on K2, the world's second-highest mountain. Two Dutch climbers have been rescued by helicopter, while an Italian awaits evacuation. Professional mountaineer Ed Viesturs explains what makes K2 more treacherous than Mount Everest.

Birth Of Rice-a-Roni: The Armenian-Italian Treat

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:54:00 EDT

The birth of Rice-A-Roni began with a friendship between a Canadian immigrant and a survivor of the Armenian genocide. Soon after, an Italian family made "the San Francisco treat" into a popular side dish.

EU Faces Off With Fishers Over Bluefin Tuna

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Responding to allegations of illegal fishing by French, Italian and Spanish fleets, the European Union has closed this year's Mediterranean bluefin tuna season two weeks early. Scientists say Mediterranean tuna stocks are severely over-fished. Bluefin tuna from the Mediterranean supplies Japan with about one-third of its sushi — one 200 pound tuna can rake in as much as $30,000.

Norma Winstone: Britain's Poetic Jazz Singer

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:11:00 EDT

The veteran vocalist has a gift for putting the right words to a melody. She wrote some lyrics for her new CD, Distances, and she blends a poem by an Italian filmmaker with music by eccentric French composer Erik Satie.

'Rocco' Remarks Anger Italian-Americans

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:54:00 EDT

After NBC Sports announcer Johnny Miller suggested golfer Rocco Mediate had a name fit for cleaning pools, A. Kenneth Ciongoli of the National Italian-American Foundation asks why his ethnic group is the last fair target for bias.

White House Red-Faced Over Berlusconi Gaffe

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EDT

The White House has apologized for a biography of Silvio Berlusconi that calls the Italian leader "one of the most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice." The bio was distributed at the G-8 summit.

Bush Meets with Indifference on Rome Visit

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:09:00 EDT

President Bush might have expected a hostile reception when he arrived in Italy today. Previously, tens of thousands protested his visits, but only about 2,000 opposed Bush's visit to the Italian capital today. Most Romans were either indifferent, or angry about the restrictive security measures.

Scandal in Scotland: Handel's 'Ariodante'

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Handel, a German composer, became a superstar in London, England, by writing Italian operas. Ariodante, one of his best, was premiered in 1735 at a then brand new opera house at London's Covent Garden.

Italy Tackles Garbage Crisis, Illegal Immigration

Thu, 22 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The new Italian government announces measures to deal with the Naples garbage crisis, and to combat illegal immigration. The plans include declaring the dumps national strategic areas to be protected by the military and tighter scrutiny of immigrants.

Italy Considers Special Body to Deal with Gypsies

Mon, 19 May 2008 08:06:00 EDT

An immigration crackdown by Italian authorities has been accompanied by vigilante justice against the Roma — or gypsies — in Naples. Now the new right-wing government wants to create a special body to deal with the Romanian ethnic group.

Chinese Composer Gives 'Turandot' a Fresh Finale

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:09:00 EDT

For 84 years, opera buffs have puzzled over how Italian composer Giacomo Puccini meant to finish one of his best-loved works, Turandot. Now, a young Chinese composer has put a new spin on the famous opera set in a mythical China.

Why Do Italians Keep Voting for Berlusconi...

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Despite mounting economic woes, he was elected to a third term as Italian prime minister. Italian columnist Beppe Severgnini discusses why he keeps drawing the votes.

Berlusconi Ahead in Italian Election

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Italian voters Monday wrapped up a two-day parliamentary election that could restore conservative billionaire Silvio Berlusconi as prime minister. A staunch U.S. ally, Berlusconi is leading in early returns. He seems assured of victory in the Senate, but the race for the lower House looks tight.

Italian Elections Similar to Race in U.S.

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:35:00 EDT

Italy holds its parliamentary elections the day after tomorrow and the political campaigns have some surprising parallels to the contest in the U.S. For example, one of the two major candidates for prime minister is a relative newcomer to the national stage.

Not a Flesh Wound: Ringo Shrubbery Beheaded

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:41:00 EDT

Vandals decapitated a life-size topiary of Ringo Starr in Liverpool, England, last weekend after he said he missed nothing about the city. An Italian sculptor created the leafy tribute to Starr and the other Beatles to celebrate Liverpool's designation as a 2008 "European Capital of Culture."