Profiles

The Lyric’s incoming maestro brings with him impressive credentials and a towering passion for his repertoire, his fellow artists, his new audience and his new home. When Anthony Freud stepped onto the Civic Opera House stage before the second act of “Luisa Miller” on Oct. 20, the audience gave a cry of dismay. They knew what announcement was to come from the general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago: Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja was ill, and could not continue singing. After American soprano Toni Marie Palmertree stepped in to replace ailing star Krassimira Stoyanova as Luisa at the top …

Opting for the Navy instead of college, Georgiann Callaway found professional fulfillment and adventure on six continents during a stellar 20-year career. Georgiann “Gigi” Callaway was born in Chicago and grew up in LaGrange Park, one of four girls born to Andrew and Ann (Beres) DiDonato. Her father’s family was from Calabria. Callaway enjoyed a close relationship with her paternal grandparents, who lived in the Little Italy around Taylor Street. “It was Sunday at my grandparents’ house,” says Callaway. Aunts, uncles and cousins gathered together for pasta. A cherished memory is making ravioli with her grandmother. Callaway attended Forest Road …

An abiding passion for hockey propelled John Conenna to the pinnacle of the sport in Illinois. From standout grade-school goalie to stellar high school coach to Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, John Conenna has excelled at every local level of the sport. The soon-to-be-60-year-old travel agency owner was bitten by the hockey bug when he was only 8. “I used to watch a group of boys in my neighborhood play street hockey outside my window,” Conenna says. “I figured I’d tag along and try it and I was hooked.” His choice of positions was influenced by the play of …

In her memoir, Eleanor Foa addresses her family’s power, passion and paradox, and discovers deep literary significance in her Italian-Jewish ancestry. Being so strongly identified with Catholicism, Italy may strike the casual observer as inextricably connected to Christianity. But a closer look reveals that Italian Jews had much to do with the region’s history, culture and proud traditions. How much so? As Rabbi Barbara Aiello explained in a past Lou&A column, the very name “Italia” is of Hebrew origin. The first of the Jewish diaspora, on seeing the peninsula’s beautiful, misty coast, exclaimed “Aiee-tal-ya!”, a Hebrew phrase that means “the …

Come senior d’italiano AP, ci fa piacere essere studenti di un programma giovanile pieno di energia, rispetto, e passione. L’anno scorso abbiamo scritto che il nostro Prof. ci prepara il caffè e chiacchiere una volta al mese. Quest’anno siccome la classe è nel pomeriggio, non ha senso preparare del caffè prima di pranzo. Noi adoriamo come il nostro Prof. cerca sempre di darci l’opportunità di esprimerci in qualsiasi maniera. Siccome la classe è nel pomeriggio, il Prof ha deciso di continuare questa bell’attività con Focaccia e Sfincione, un tipo di pizza siciliana. L’idea è simile al caffè e chiacchiere dove …

Ho studiato la matematica, la storia, la chimica, e le altre materie, ma nessuna di loro ha cambiato la mia vita come l’italiano. Nella classe d’italiano, ho partecipato ad una festa di Carnevale, ho camminato nella sfilata del giorno di Colombo, ho lavorato con un’azienda di olio d’oliva (Redoro), ho fatto parte di uno scambio, e mi sono innamorata dell’Italia. Dopo il liceo, ho ricevuto l’opportunità di studiare a Verona, lavorare alla bruschetteria di Redoro, e aiutare con le attività commerciali a Redoro in Grezzana. Alla Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli con il pizzaiolo Leo Spizzirri, ho imparato la scienza della pizza …

Quest’anno circa 150 studenti stanno imparando l’italiano attraverso il programma Italiano di lingua mondiale all’Indian Trail Junior High a Addison, Illinois. Gli studenti del 7° grado hanno iniziato l’anno imparando i termini di conversazione di base. Inoltre, questi studenti ora possono contare da 1 a 100, descrivere il tempo e le stagioni usando la lingua italiana. In ottobre, gli studenti del 7° grado hanno creato mostri e descritto i mostri nella lingua Italiana. Nel 8° grado, gli studenti hanno appreso i mezzi di trasporto in Italia. Hanno anche imparato come ordinare in un ristorante in Italia. Più di recente, gli …

Lo scorso venerdì c’è stato il Festival delle lingue moderne per le classi di francese, spagnolo e italiano. Il giorno prima gli alunni e gli insegnanti hanno iniziato a sistemare i tavoli e ad addobbare le pareti. Venerdì tutte queste classi si sono riunite nella palestra. Gli addobbi erano molto belli. Tutti giocavano, mangiavano, ballavano e si divertivano. Karolina dice: “Mi sono divertita a partecipare alle attività. Ho aiutato a preparare un ‘ojo de dios’ della cultura spagnola, ho mangiato un cannolo della cultura italiana e ho fatto altre attività. È stato davvero interessante vedere cose di altre culture.” Iris …

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino has named Robert Allegrini as its Honorary Consul in Chicago. The title was recently bestowed on Allegrini during a ceremony in San Marino presided over by the country’s co-heads of state, the Captains Regent. San Marino becomes the 88th country to have official diplomatic representation in Chicago. As consul, Allegrini will be responsible for promoting San Marino from the standpoints of trade, investment and tourism throughout his consular jurisdiction, which includes Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He will also be tasked with looking after the welfare of San Marino citizens and visitors …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society honored Anthony M. Spina, D.D.S., M.D., as Arcolian of the Year at the society’s annual Christmas Party on Dec. 11 at the Park Ridge Country Club. (Dr. Jessica Mattern, 847-498-1595) “Dr. Spina exemplifies our mission,” says Arcolian President Dr. Katina Spadoni. “He perpetuates fellowship between dentists, specialists, retirees and students; he has provided us with extraordinary speakers to help us earn continuing education units; and he opens us up to networking opportunities by bridging the gap between medical and dental.” Spina earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University, his dental degree from Loyola University School …