ARTURO BENEDETTI MICHELANGELI, CLASSICAL PIANIST—AND RACE DRIVER? PART 1
THE CLASSICAL music announcer added casually that pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli also competed in the Mille Miglia. Though I had heard of Michelangeli the pianist before, I was intrigued by … Continue reading
ROSSELLINI’S (AND BERGMAN’S) FERRARIS
SE NON È VERO, a ben travato. It may not be true, but it’s a good story. And so it is with tales of Ferraris belonging to Italian film director … Continue reading
MARIA AVANZO—SIGNORA QUATTRO PISTONI
“CAR GAL” may not readily translate into Italian, but Baronessa Maria Antonietta Avanzo née Bellan certainly qualifies as one. Known as the Signora quattro pistoni (Lady of four pistons), Avanzo … Continue reading
THE FIRST MILLE MIGLIA WINNER
WINNERS OF Italy’s Mille Miglia come readily to mind: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz. And Italian forklift manufacturer O.M. O.M.?? Yes, the firm wasn’t into forklifts back in 1927, but the … Continue reading
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