Italian opera is a genre of vocal music that has its origins in the 18th century. Its origins can be traced back to the culture and society of the time, specifically the desire to create a national art form that represented Italy. The first example of Italian opera is considered to be “Dafne” by Jacopo Peri in 1598, but it was with Claudio Monteverdi’s “Orfeo” in 1607 that Italian opera began to develop as a distinct genre.
Italian Citizenship via Marriage and the Level B1 Language Test. We all know that in order to secure Italian citizenship you have to pass the examination minimum B1 Level and above. Many people are curious as to how do we prepare for these papers and do well from there? Well, here’s where we can help!
Between the beginning of the 15th century and the end of the 16th century, one of the most important artistic and intellectual movements in all of European history developed in Italy and Europe: the Renaissance. The latter, having its roots in Humanism, represents a complex and dynamic historical moment that effectively marked the transition between the Middle Ages and the Modern Era.
Even though pesto is one of the most well-known icons of Italian food worldwide, not everyone is familiar with the roots and traditions that, in 2018, led to this remarkable sauce being nominated as a UNESCO intangible heritage.
If you've been hanging out with Italians, chances are you might have felt confused hearing the sentence 'In bocca al lupo!' thrown with enthusiasm among the other things they say at the end of a gathering. Literally meaning 'in the mouth of the wolf!', this popular colloquialism is just another way of wishing good luck to someone who is about to step into something new that might present a challenge—be it an exam, the beginning of a new job or project, or an adventurous trip.
This famous quote synthetizes the whole period of Festivity Season, or Christmas Holidays – Feste di Natale e Nuovo Anno- for Italians. The holidays, which are public holidays for school students starting around from 23 December and ending on 8th January depending on the Italian region, include religious and lay festivities, like Christmas’ Eve (Vigilia di Natale) and Christmas (Natale) itself, Santo Stefano (Box Day), New Year’s Eve (San Silvestro, 31st December, or Vigilia di Capodanno), and New Year, or Capodanno (the Head/Start of the Year). A very happy period for Italian children, not going to school, and enjoying family, games, presents and food with their families!
