The Italian Radio Hour

By Viviana AltieriSociety & Culture

The Italian Radio Hour episodes

July 09, 2024 MasterChef Winner Luca Manfe tells us all!
This week on the Italian Radio Hour - Do you have what it takes to become the next MasterChef?
Thousands of thousands of applicants try every year to make it to prepare their best dish in front of the most "honest" chefs to earn an apron to get into the actual competition.
Meet Luca Manfe, the only Italian competitor so far who has succeeded to not only enter the competition, work his way up the palate of the judges and the hearts of the viewers as one of the fairest competitors so far but win the title of America's Masterchef, take home the coveted MC Trophy and have his cookbook published.
Luca, originally from Aviano (Friuli Venezia Giulia), was turned down in season 3 but was told by the judges to come back the following year.
Luca spent the next year getting ready for the competition and his work paid off.
Now, 10 years after his win, we go back to his life prior to MasterChef, during MC (with some of the insights on the show and the judges ON and OFF camera), and after MC, including his organized trips to his beloved region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Want an amazing Frico recipe? Try Luca's from his cookbook.
Buona visione e buon appetito!
Follow Luca on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lucamanfe/?hl=en
or go to Italy with Luca: https://www.italywithluca.com/
1 hr 12 min
July 03, 2024 The Making of "Cabrini" with Executive Producer J. Eustace Wolfington
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - From Alejandro Monteverde, award-winning director of 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮, comes the powerful epic of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Cabrini sets off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society's most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini builds an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.
But, how many of you are familiar with the story of the man who has made it all possible? Join me in conversation with J. Eustace Wolfington, a Philadelphia businessman and the executive producer of the movie "Cabrini" as we discuss the film, and the very personal inspiration that drove him to make this epic production about the life of the first Italian-American saint.
Learn about the casting choices, cinematography and much, much more.
Eustace is the first to ever be honored with "Son of Cabrini: award, in recognition of the commitment of his time, energy, and financial resources to produce this film, with the confidence that his legacy represents a story worth telling that will resonate with the young women of today, tomorrow, and the future.
This films offers a universal message for people of all ages and faiths. At a time when the world is filled with anxiety about the future, J Eustace Wolfington wants people to be lifted by her example and knows their fears will be replaced with the courage to go out into the world and make it better.
The movie will also be released in Italy in September with great anticipation.
Want to watch the movie at home? Visit: https://www.angel.com/movies/cabrini to learn how.
56 min
June 24, 2024 MEI - National Museum of Italian Emigration (GENOVA)
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Genoa is a city with a strong link to emigration: it was from here that millions of Italians left for the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia.
It also houses The MEI - National Museum of Italian Emigration, housed in the Commenda di San Giovanni di Prè, which lies onto 3 floors divided into 16 areas where it is possible to retrace many stories of Italian migration, from the Unification of Italy (and even before) to the present.
The life stories of migrants are told through first-hand sources such as diaries, letters, photographs, newspapers and archival documents.
It is an empathetic and interactive museum, where you can "do experience" . See, hear, learn and get involved in the scenic setting of one of the city's oldest medieval buildings, which originally provided hospitality to pilgrims.
In conversation with us, Paolo Masini, President of the MEI Foundation, and and actor, producer, and testimonial for the MEI, Luca Vullo that will tell us more not only about the exhibit but a great opportunity to get on the Amerigo Vespucci, approaching Los Angeles in July and learn more about the immigration stories of that area.
The museum is in close relationship with Mu.MA - Maritime and Migrations Museum and, in particular, with the nearby Galata Maritime Museum, which houses the section on transoceanic voyages "Memoria e Migrazioni" (Memory and Migrations) and the section on immigration, "Italiano anch'io".
56 min
June 17, 2024 A Taste of Emilia Romagna at the NY Fancy Food Show with Francine Segan
This week on The Italian Radio Hour: A Taste of Emilia Romagna at the NY Fancy Food Show with Francine Segan.Watch video interview: https://youtu.be/MAuypSdVDBMIf you can't travel to Emilia Romagna this summer, how about visiting the upcoming Fancy Food Show in New York (June 23rd-2th, 2024). Francine Segan, one of America's foremost experts on Italian cuisine, returns to The Italian Radio Hour to tell us all about this event, now considered the "Oscars of Food". She will also explain the difference between DOP and IGP products to guarantee quality to the consumers and what is store for all the visitors in the Emilia Romagna booth #2612 in the Italian Pavilion.The schedule of events is packed with information sessions and sampling sessions of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Grana Padano DOP, Prosciutto di Parma DOP, Prosciutto di Modena DOP, Aceto balsamico di Modena IGP, Aceto Balsamico tradizionale di Modena DOP, Aceto Balsamico tradizionale di Reggio Emilia DOP and the famous flatbread of Romana, Piadina Romagnola IGP. To learn more about the Fancy Food Show, visit: https://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy.../summer/show-info/To learn more about Francine Segan's work: http://www.francinesegan.com/about.php
48 min
June 10, 2024 A Touch of Class with Kevin Glavin and Samuele Bozzolla
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Kevin Glavin is a world-renowned and critically acclaimed Bass-Baritone singer, actor, and opera singer with over forty years of experience specializing in Italian Opera. Kevin has the great talent to make you laugh even while singing in a language you do not understand!His performed with notable artists such as Luciano Pavarotti and Marvin Hamlisch, and collaborates with major international opera stars, directors, and conductors from around the world.In this interview, Kevin and Samuele Bozzolla, long time friend of Kevin but most importantly the son of late Opera singe Claudia Pinza, Kevin's voice teacher for many years, "MRS. PINZA" as Kevin always respectfully refers to her, provide great insides and funny anecdotes on Kevin's professional and personal journey, without sparing even friendly imitations of Maestro Luciano Pavarotti. But Kevin had a secret desire growing up! Since he was a little kid, dreamt of Vegas, cigars and comedy. In his first CD, Kevin takes us a very personal musical journey, where he "does it his way" and makes you dream about being back in the Rat Pack area, with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and company.Kevin Glavin will perform at Istituto Mondo Italiano on Saturday Sept. 21st, 2024. Tickets will go on sale soon but we have a treat for you. Subscribe to The Italian Radio Hour YouTube Channel and leave us a comment on the interview. Five lucky listeners will receive an autographed CD of Kevin's "A Touch of Class".www.istitutomondoitaliano.orgTo learn more about Kevin Glavin, visit: https://www.kevinglavin.org/
49 min
June 05, 2024 From the new RED SAUCE STUDIO, Growing up Italian and John Viola from IAP
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - There are interviews that go well and others that go unexpectedly amazing! How can I have hoped for more, having the full team of Growing up Italian, Sabino and Michela Curcio, Rocco Loguercio and John Viola from the Italian American Podcast all in one place at the same time, as they take in the success of the inauguration of the new RED SAUCE STUDIO in NY and its' mission, share with us traditions from Sabino's hometown of Sanza and collaborations in Italy, Rocco's happy ending of this dual citizenship journey, Michela's orchestrating the behind the scenes of GIU and the Panini Shoppe, and John Viola telling us more about the Future Leaders Conference and the "recording booth" initiative to create one major repository of Italian American stories across the nation.
Enjoy the episode!
1 hr 2 min
May 30, 2024 Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti - Discover Pavarotti in his own home
This week on The Italian Radio Hour: Discover Pavarotti in his own home - Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti
VIDEO INTERVIEW: https://youtu.be/2oznsjToqlAWelcome to the place Pavarotti called home. He built this house to entertain friends, teach young singers and enjoy family life. In this conversation with the widow of Maestro Pavarotti, Nicoletta Mantovani, we discover his private collection of memorabilia, costumes and awards gathered throughout his long career and we celebrate the artistic and philanthropic legacy of the “man who moved millions.”The Luciano Pavarotti Home Museum is located in the Modena countryside, in a large estate, where he lived the last years of his life.It opened to the public in 2015 to firmly ground Maestro’s memory to his beloved homeland and to make the man LUCIANO behind the great artist PAVAROTTI better known to the general public.Today, the house is still as Maestro left it and it can be entirely visited. It keeps all the objects he loved to be surrounded with and it displays the memories of the days spent with family, friends and students to whom he gave singing lessons.
57 min
May 22, 2024 In the footsteps of the Etruscans with Laura Morelli
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Our guest today is art historian Laura Morelli whose work I have been following for a few years as she makes art history fun while also dividing her time and talent writing historical fiction and guides about Italy.
Recently, I participated in one of her online classes via her website (https://lauramorelli.com/) about the Etruscans, and I was so fascinated by the information presented and how Laura was delivering it that I did not hesitate to write to her to invite to share hew knowledge with us
Not only has Laura done a wonderful job in providing an informative overview about Etruscan civilization, customs and curiosities but also she shared ideas for day trips to discover more Etruscan art in Italy.
Grazie Laura!
Laura Morelli holds a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University, has taught college students in the U.S. and in Italy, and currently produces art history lessons for TED-Ed. She authored a column for National Geographic Traveler called “The Genuine Article” and has contributed pieces about art and authentic travel to CNN Radio, The Frommers Travel Show, and in USA TODAY, Departures, and other media. Laura is the author of the Authentic Arts guidebook series that includes the popular guidebook, Made in Italy. Her fiction brings the stories of art history to life. Her debut novel, The Gondola Maker, won an IPPY for Best Historical Fiction and a Benjamin Franklin Award.
49 min
May 09, 2024 Calabria, the ancient tradition of silkworm breeding, and Nido di Seta
In this week's episode of The Italian Radio Hour: Calabria, the ancient tradition of silkworm breeding, and the story of Nido di Seta.
WATCH THE INTEVIEW: https://youtu.be/2wXZjl5XHYM
Did you know that silk production represented a flourishing and prosperous economy for the region of Calabria as back as Byzantine times when silkworms were introduced to the region from China by Basilian monks?

The period of maximum growth was around 1700 but unfortunately, the industry started to decline to completely disappear in 1800.
This week, we spoke to Miriam, one of the three founders of "Nido di Seta", a cooperative created by three young Calabrians who decided to take on a very specific challenge: to return and stay in Calabria.
Taking up the ancient tradition of silkworm breeding, and making it their main activity, they build day by day the virtuous circuit that manages to combine crafts, cultural, artistic and culinary moments, making their home a pole of attraction for national and international tourism.
Their key words are: protection of the environment and landscape, economic growth of the territory and sustainable development. They start from the earth, their own motherland, using the resources that it offers us.
To learn more about "Nido di Seta" visit their website: https://www.nidodiseta.com/en_GB/
This interview is available on all major podcast platforms, and on YouTube at a video interview: https://youtu.be/2wXZjl5XHYM
#calabria #silk #italy
44 min
May 02, 2024 Six Food Museums in Parma not to miss
Six Food Museums not to miss:
Museum of PARMIGIANO REGGIANO
Museum of PASTA
Museum of TOMATO
Museum of WINE
Museum of FELINO SALAMI
Museum of PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA
Thru the expert knowledge of Giancarlo Gonizzi, we are taken on a virtual journey of Food Musuems of Parma, their history and their treasure!
Parma proudly boasts some of the highest quality food products renowned at both national and international level: Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto of Parma and various cured pork meat products such as the Culatello from Zibello, Salame from Felino, Coppa, as well as Wines from the Parma hills, Porcini mushrooms from the Taro river valley, Tomatoes. Other products are well known at a purely local level.
Food and Wine tourism is in rapid expansion both in terms of quantity and quality at a national and international level. It is not by chance that the cultural and tourist press dedicates growing attention to this sector, particularly where the offer is clearly defined. Both regionally and internationally there is increasing publicity for “Food and Wine Trails”, “Flavour Trails”, and “Wine Trails”, …
The typical products enhance the image of an entire territory.
Parma hosts the corporate headquarters of a number of prestigious food companies such as Barilla, Parmalat and canning industries. It is home to various Italian Consortiums for the Safeguard of Typical products, like the Consortium for Prosciutto, the Consortium for Parmigiano Reggiano and the Consortium for Culatello. The economical situation of Parma is positively affected by the growth of the food sector.
In addition to bringing additional value to the history behind individual products within the local economy and culture, the “Food Museums” encourage the growth of a new type of tourism, by developing existing sites located along the food and wine trails; in turn, these become complementary to other typical tourist routes in the area.
The Museums contribute to highlight the role of yjr production sites of the typical foods of Parma, and especially those that in virtue of their history, the type of processing and the quality of products are best suited to be included as part of the tourist offer of the territory. Through programmed events and tours of the food and wine trails, these offers interact directly with the Museums.
A mission of the Museums is to contribute to the growth of the entire territory through gastronomical culture, by encouraging awareness among local residents, and in particular young people. At the same time, the Museums aim is to define the image of each single typical product and its area of production through gastronomic tourism.
https://youtu.be/sf39PkOrSt0
1 hr 4 min