An anecdote: Sopranos
Last August, while in Manhattan, I was invited to attend a party where I
met New Yorkers intellectuals and artists. At the time, I was completely
unaware that the most popular TV series in the USA was “The Sopranos”, at
story centered around the members of a mafia family.
During that evening, I found myself in a group of some people who got
interested in me as an Italian poet and so on, and talking about cultural
stereotypes, one said to me:
- Its is a pity that, still, the only idea media convey about Italian
is that they are “Sopranos”.
- Why is it sad – I added, visibly surprised. - The sopranos are
very talented. They have such a gift. I would have loved to be a soprano.
- Would you? – asked embarrassed the gentleman.
- Yes, of course. I really envy the sopranos. Anyhow even if I am
not myself one, I can enjoy their company.
- In what sense enjoy….., asked the man more and more worried about
my merry attitude on that subject.
- You see, - I said all happy and proud – in my close group of
friends, in Italy, I have at least three professional sopranos and I real
feel privileged to be able to benefit from their friendship....
(it took them a few "embarassing " minutes of disamy to understand that in
fact I was talking about sopranos as singers, not as "mafiosi".
Erinia
|