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Historic Relationship between Spain and North of Italy

Some History

CARLOS I

Grandson of the Catholic Monarchs and the son of Philip the Beautiful and Juana

La Loca, from her grandmother Elizabeth received the Crown of Castile Navarre,

places of North Africa and the Indies, of Ferdinand, his grandfather, the crown of

Aragon with its possession s in the Mediterranean, including the kingdom of the

Two Sicilies. Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany crowned Emperor of the Holy

Roman Empire in Bologna.

One of the biggest moments for Carlos will be his

coronation as emperor held in Bologna on

February 24, 1530, the day of his birthday. Clement VII became an ally of the

imperial cause to impose Carlos the iron crown of the Lombards. The agreement

with the pope's coronation allowing Carlos to force the defense of the territories

of the Church, submitting Florence and agreeing with Venice. This will

temporarily pacified the Italian peninsula.

Carlos I appointed Duke of Milan to his son Felipe Prince of Asturias.

After death, the November 1st, 1535, Francisco II, last Sforza, the Duchy of Milan was not sovereign. The kings

of France, related to the Visconti family, claimed the

Duchy. This was one of the causes of successive Italian

wars. Francisco I saw in the death of the Duke of Milan a

new opportunity to take over the territory, resulting in a

third war against Carlos I of Spain, which ended with the

Truce of Nice in 1538.

In 1540 the Duchy was still sovereign, being in charge of

a governor. Carlos awarded the title of Duke of Milan to

Prince Felipe. In 1542 a new war broke out between

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France and Spain. Among the conditions Crépy Peace, which ended hostilities in 1544, was the wedding of

Charles, Duke of Orleans, son of Francis I, to the daughter of Charles I, Mary of Habsburg, or the daughter of

the King of the Romans Ferdinand Habsburg Ana (and Milan as dowry).

The Spanish kings were dukes of Milan since Felipe II (House Habsburg), to Felipe V (House of Bourbon).

With the death of Charles II, the last king of the Hapsburg dynasty, ascends the throne Spanish Felipe de

Bourbon, resulting in a confrontation between European powers over the succession to the crown. After

Succession War and the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) and Rastatt (1714), Spain cedes to Austria, the Netherlands,

the Milanese, Naples and Sardinia.

Italian Queens and Kings in Spain

Felipe II of Spain (Habsburg) 1540-1598

Felipe III of Spain (Habsburg)1598-1621

Felipe IV of Spain (Habsburg) 1621-1665

Carlos II of Spain (Habsburg) 1665-1700

Felipe V of Spain (Bourbon) 1700-1706

Isabel de Farnesio

Born in 1692 in the Italian city of Parma, as the second daughter of Crown Prince of Parma, Edward II Farnese

and Dorothea Sophie of Bavaria-Neuburg. He married in 1714 with King of

Spain, Felipe V.

The Prince of Asturias, Carlos de Bourbon, son of Carlos III, marries Maria

Luisa of Parma, daughter of Philip Duke of Parma and Princess Louise

Elisabeth of France

In 1788 became Queen consort of Spain occur after death of his father King

Carlos III and be recognized as her husband King of Spain, Carlos IV. Maria

Luisa of Parma had a great influence on her husband, weak-willed. Capricious

character, came to participate in numerous episodes for which he was

regarded, and in his time, a woman intriguing and, for many, depraved. She

was proud of her shapely arms and tried embellished with jewels and costly

dresses short sleeve imported from Paris, as witnessed several portraits of Goya.

1701-1714

The two Italian wives of Felipe V of Bourbon, first king of this house in Spain.

King of Spain

Sovereign of the Netherlands

King of Naples and Sardinia

King of Sicily

Duke of Milan

Duke of Burgundy

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Maria Luisa Gabriela of Savoy (Turin, 1688-Madrid, 1714), first

wife of Felipe V, was, as such, Queen consort of Spain from 1701

to1714 and, at times, regent. Marie Louise was the daughter of Victor

Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia and Ana Maria of

Orleans. Her older sister, Mary Adelaide of Savoy, was Duchess of

Burgundy and Dauphine of France and is also the mother of King

Louis XV of France. He married his cousin King Felipe V (Spanish

first king of the dynasty), grandson of Maria Theresa of Austria,

Infanta of Spain and Louis XIV of France, with only 13.Under the

influence of the Princess of Ursinos and Cardinal Portocarrero, was

appointed Governor and General Manager when her husband had to move to the theaters of war in 1702.

Acted responsibly during the War of Succession. She was the mother of Luis Fernando I and VI. He died at age

25 in 1714. Notably, Maria Luisa was a powerful queen regent and a very competent governor and dedicated to

the Spanish domestic destinations.

Amadeo I

The Revolutionary Junta appointed General Serrano President and head of

government of General Prim. General Prim ended up imposing its candidate

Amadeo of Savoy, son of the king of Italy. Amadeo of Savoy (Turin, Piedmont-

Sardinia, May 30, 1845-ibidem, Italy, January 18, 1890) was King of Spain between

1870 and 1873 with the name of Amadeo I.

His reign in Spain, just over two years, was marked by political instability. The six

cabinets that occurred during this period were not able to resolve the crisis,

aggravated by the conflict for independence in Cuba, which had begun in 1868, and

a new Carlist War, which began in 1872.

Italian military service of the Spanish Crown

Alexander Farnese. Duke of Parma. Successor of

Juan of Austria in the government of Flanders, Duke of

Parma. Son of Ottavio Farnese and Margaret of Parma,

the illegitimate daughter of Carlos I of Spain and nephew

of Felipe II was so good military and political. His first

action was to win over the Catholic southern provinces

through rewards and promises. Meanwhile relaunched

triumphal military offensives that allowed secure

throughout southern territory. With Spanish and Italian Thirds found himself strong enough to attack the

wealthiest and most populated city in the hands of the rebels: Antwerp. After a long siege, which highlighted

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impressive engineering works such as the famous Farnese bridge, got its surrender. He had previously done the

same with Dunkerque, Niuport, Ghent, Ypres, Bruges, Mechelen and Brussels. Farnese's successes were

indisputable: ten of the seventeen provinces had returned to Spanish rule. The planned landing of the Spanish

Armada in England troops of Alexander Farnese had an important role. But the lack of coordination with the

fleet was absolute and many blamed him for the failure of the expedition. This brand new star conqueror of

Antwerp began to fade.

Ambrosio Spinola

Ambrosio Spinola (Genoa, 1569 – Castelnuovo Scrivia, 1630) was a Spanish general of Genoese origin, I Duke

of Sesto (1612) , Grandee of Spain, Knight of the Order of Santiago and the Golden Fleece, captain General of

Flanders and the Spanish army commander during the Eighty Years'

War. It is famous for making the Dutch city of Breda and

remembered as one of the last great military leaders of the Spanish

Golden Age. The taking of Breda was the culmination of the career

of Spinola and was immortalized by the famous Velazquez painting

called "the lance" or Surrender of Breda". However, the paralysis of

the government of Spain, the pressing need for money and the new

favorite, Olivares, jealous of the Dutch generally allowed to recover.

Spinola could not prevent Frederick Henry of Nassau take Groll, a good advance towards Breda. In January

1628 he returned to Spain, determined not to resume the command in Flanders unless he would ensure funds to

maintain its military. In Madrid had to suffer the insolence of Olivares, who was trying to give the most

responsible for the loss of Groll. Spinola decided not to return to Flanders.

Spanish Way: The Milanese "meeting point" for the war in Flanders.

The main Habsburg supply route from Italy to Flanders. It was of vital strategic and economic importance

during the Italian Wars (1494–1559), the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648),

and the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), especially in those periods when

French or Dutch or English naval power denied Spain the sea route to its

northern possessions.

On August 22, 1567 marked a turning point in European history. The Duke

of Alba at the head of 10,000 veterans of thirds, after 1100 km of driving

started in Milan, arrives in Brussels. The political situation in Europe would

inevitably transform and thus, the prospects of Habsburg hegemony on the

continent. It was one of the most remarkable feats of logistics military and

diplomatic history of Europe, who left his mark on the art, prose and verse.

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The Royal Council meets to discuss the problem raised in the

Netherlands. The Council recommended to the king initially

mobilize 10,000 Spanish veterans featured in Milan, Sardinia,

Naples and Sicily, to the Netherlands and to replace them

should raise new recruits in Spain. The Council's proposal was

to have veterans in Milan willing to leave for the end of that

year, 1567. There was no agreement on who should send that

army. The Duke of Alba, the most experienced candidate, was

ruled out because of his advanced and his health. The king then

offered the supreme command of the Duke of Parma first

(husband of Margaret of Parma) and then to his cousin, the

Duke of Savoy, the two allies, which had led great armies of

Spain in the 1550s. Both were clever enough to give reasons for

not accepting. Simultaneously, Alba gout had decreased. Accordingly, on November 29, the Duke took

command of the army but by then, the snow had closed the Alpine passes. The old-thirds of Sicily, Naples,

Sardinia and were being mobilized coming to Milan in mid-December and as you could not safely cross the

Montcenis had to spend the winter in Milan.

Economy

The bankers of the Habsburgs

Capital requirements of an empire in constant wars forced the Spanish Crown to seek large loans, especially

bankers of international financial networks. German financiers, especially the Fugger family were among the

most important financial Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany. His son Felipe II after taking power declared

bankruptcy. This resulted in a workout with the Fugger left in an extremely compromised, which opened the

door to the Genoese. Actually, participation in the Hispanic economy Genoese existed times. By then the

Genoese Republic, in open competition with the Catalans, had taken control of much of the trade in the western

Mediterranean. After 1557 and during the following century, Genoa was the main financial metropolis of the

Spanish Empire. For over one hundred years, the fate of the Spanish monarchy was closely linked to their credit.

Were very important financial institutions such as the San Luca Spinola, Lucoli Spinola, Centuriona, Strata,

Pallavicino, Invrea, Pichinotti and Balbi. All these families were succulent benefits for their collaboration with

the Spanish monarchy. In 1575 the situation came to a head, and the Spanish King Philip II, decreed a new

bankruptcy. The response was overwhelming creditors: while not receiving payment guarantees, refused to pay

the soldiers who fought in the Netherlands. The revolt of the troops in Antwerp in 1576, which killed more than

six thousand inhabitants, was a blow to Spanish interests, nobody was any doubt that the fate of the monarchy

was bound s their bankers.

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Payments by nationality 1621-1626

Between1601 and1606, this group of companies founded Genoese business in the city where he lived the Court.

First in Valladolid, for six years, and then in Madrid, to recover the capital.

Monarch's reaction was to try to replace the Genoese bankers Castilians. Between 1621and 1627, during the

early years of the reign of Philip IV, the Genoeseperceived76% of the precious metals from the Royal Treasury

who arrived in Sevilla. It is logical, therefore, that the se bankers were the most affected by the new bankruptcy,

enacted in January1627. In subsequent years, 44% of payments held in the House of Trade in Seville ended in

the hands of those financial. Bartholomew Spinola, Ottavio Centurione, Antonio Balbi, Carlo Strataand

especially Luca Gio Pallavicino were few. Of course, since then, were much more cautious in their services and

demanded greater guarantees the repayment of loans.

Payments to Italian businessmen 1627-1639

Science

ALEJANDRO MALASPINA: (Mulazzo, November 5th, 1754 – Pontremoli,

April 9th, 1809) was a noble Italian sailor who served as a rear admiral at the Royal

Army in Spain, well known for taking part in one of the greatest scientific voyages

– Malaspina Expedition – around the world in the corvettes Descubierta y Atrevida

with the captain José Bustamante y Guerra from 1789 to 1794.The expedition set off

from Cádiz on July 30th, 1789 and came back to the same town on September 21st,

1794. For five years he and his men inspected / tied up to Río de la Plata, The

Patagonian coast, Malvinas islands, Tierra de Fuego and along the Pacific coast up

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to / as far as Alaska, going through Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, The United States and

Canada, and further on they arrived in The Philippines islands, Australia and Tonga.

Flora, fauna, land, coasts, rivers, towns, means of transport, races, tribes…they were interested in everything, so

that the ambitious plan that Malaspina presented to the Spanish government before his departure could be

amply fulfilled.

Malaspina took part in a conspiracy to bring down Manuel Godoy, what led him to be under arrest on

November 23rd. After a dubious verdict, he was sentenced to 10 years in jail in S. Anton castle in La Coruña but

at the end of 1802, he was set free due to Napoleon pressures / influences and deported to Italy.

He finally settled in Pontremoli.

Malaspina Expedition (2010 – 2011) is an interdisciplinary investigation project whose main objectives are

evaluating the impact of the global warming in the ocean and explore its biodiversity.

From December 2010 to July 2011, more than 250 scientists on board of the ships ‘Hespérides’ and ‘Sarmiento

de Gamboa’ will carry out an expedition which combines scientist investigation with the training of young

researchers and the encouragement of marine science and scientific culture in society.

The project belongs to the ‘ProgramaConsolider – Ingenio 20101 del

Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España’ and is run by the

‘Consejo Superior de InvestigacionesCientíficas’ (CSIC), with an

important participation of the Spanish Navy. It is named Malaspina

after the Italian officer Alejandro Malaspina, who at the end of the

XVIII century led Malaspina Expedition.

Arts and Culture

Spanish Renaissance Architecture

Italian influence

Relations with Italy during the Middle Ages made easy the arrival of the

Renaissance in Spain. Favoring/It allowed sending materials

manufactured in Italy, the presence of Italian artists in Spain and Spanish

architects acquire training in Italy.

The development of the Spanish Renaissance architecture is similar to

the Italian, but a century late. During the first two thirds of the 16th

century Lombard models followed the second half of the 15th century,

leading to the Plateresque style that develops during the reign of Carlos

V, under the Lombard influences of the Quattrocento. At the

beginning of the last third of the century purification was imposed on

the architectural masses, corresponding to the Herrerian style, which

was rigorously contemporary of Vignola or from the disciples of Michelangelo.

Main facade of a Senior Schools

of the University of Salamanca

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They create a type of funeral sculpture that achieves El Escorial to imitate its

model.

Juan de Herrera had a decisively influenced on the Spanish Renaissance

architecture, changing the dominant plateresque style.

His participation in some of Carlos I military campaigns (in Germany, Flanders

and Italy) characterizes his anxious personality.

Monastery of El Escorial

Sculpture

Spanish sculpture differs from Italian to be eminently religious. In the

first third of the sixteenth century, many artists working in Spain Italian:

Domingo Fancelli (Settignano, 1469 -Zaragoza, 1519), one of the

introducers of the Renaissance; sculptsamong other works the tomb of

the Catholic Monarchs (Capilla Real de Granada) and Prince D. Juan

Avila St. Thomas. Pietro Torrigiano and Jacobo Florentino, nickname

the Indaco. Among the work commissioned to Italy would illustrate the

San Juan Michelangelo's work shop for the city of Ubeda and reliefs few

family workshop Della Robbia.

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Pompeyo Leoni (Milan h. 1533-Madrid, 1608). Italian sculptor. In addition to

working with his father, Leone Leoni, in all his works, Pompeyo Leoni was able to

create a workshop in Madrid and deal with some other works, apart from the altar

of El Escorial, which earned him continuous displacements and long stay sin the

city of Milan. Year 1579: Performs altarpiece sculptures of the Monastery of El

Escorial (Madrid). Artworks for guilds Valladolid: Second half of the sixteenth

century: Make the likes of "St. Cristo de las Mercedes" through "The Lord

between two thieves," now known as "Into your hands I commend my spirit" for

the Brotherhood of the Seven Words. For his masterpiece, the mausoleums of

Carlos V and Felipe II, who are in the church of the monastery of El Escorial on both sides of the altar,

Pompeyo Leoni could no longer count on the help of his father, who had died. He had to carry them out in

Madrid with the collaboration of another Italian sculptor, Jacopo da Trezzo Nizzolo and the famous

silversmith Juan de Arfe.

In these awesome groups returned to their early style as a sculptor, joining

the first series that had become both his father and him, in the best

portraitists of his time. Finally, the funerary statues of Francisco Gómez

de Sandoval y Rojas and his wife, Catalina de la Cerda, Duke of Lerma, in

the convent of San Pablo de Valladolid, cunning work of art, in gilded

bronze, now in the chapel of the Colegio de San Gregorio, National

Sculpture Museum, and the Cardinal of Seville, Cristóbal Rojas, in the

collegiate Lerma (Burgos). Another of his important works in Valladolid,

was the high altar of the convent church of Porta-Coeli, call the Calderonas

and statues of their benefactors, on either side of the crossing and open

semicircular niche in the wall within a painted porch, are four large praying

statues, stone, full body in period costume and rich kneeling on cushions. They are executed with great

perfection: represent the Marquis de Siete Iglesias, D. Rodrigo Calderon secretary of the Duke of Lerma, and

his wife Mrs. Ines de Vargas, the two side of the Gospel, and to D. Francisco Calderon and his wife María

Sandelin, parents of first the epistle side. Leone and Pompeyo Leoni embodied the figure of the court sculptor

in an exceptional way. Building on the work of

Michelangelo, the genius who so influenced all artists of

his time, and the study of classical antiquity, the Leoni,

between Milan and Madrid, along with Juan de

Bologna in Florence, formed during the second half of

the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the most

important sculptural focus that spread throughout

Europe, taking a leading role, both diplomatic and

cultural, that has never been overcome.

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Painting

Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez (Seville, to the June 5, 15991 -

Madrid, August 6, 1660), known as Diego Velázquez, was a Baroque painter,

considered one of the greatest exponents of Spanish painting and master

painters.

Trips to Italy

Velázquez made two trips to Italy, one in 1629-1631 and another in 1648-1651.

In both trips he produced important works: Joseph's Tunic and Apollo in the

Forge of Vulcan during his first trip; the portraits of Juan de Pareja and Pope Innocent X in his second trip; the

Pope is marvelous portrait, equipped with vividness, intensity and exceptional colorism.

El Greco

Doménicos Theotocópoulos

(Candía, today Heraklion, current Greece, 1541 - Toledo, Spain, 1614)

Spanish painter. Although born in Crete, an island that at the time

belonged to the Republic of Venice, El Greco developed his unique

style and most of his artistic career in Spain. He trained in his native

island as an icon painter, before moving to Venice, where he

encountered the works of Titian and Tintoretto, artists that along

Michelangelo, were who most influenced his painting.

Until the age of 26 he lived in Crete, where he was a popular teacher of

the Post Byzantine style, in the island. After that, he lived in Italy for

Apollo in the Forge of Vulcan Inocencio X, Diego Velázquez, 1650 Doria Pamphili Gallery, Roma

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ten years, where he became a Renaissance painter, first in Venice, completely assuming the styles of Titian and

Tintoretto.

In 1577 he moved to Toledo (Spain), where he

lived and worked the rest of his life.

The Italian period is considered a time of study

and preparation, but his stroke of genius did not

emerge until his early works of Toledo in 1577. In

Italy, he did not receive any important jobs, since

he was a foreigner

In these works stylistically different, you can appreciate how he took up the Venetian Renaissance language. The

first, the Modena Triptych (Estense Gallery), is a hesitant work from the beginning in his stay in Venice. The

second (Thyssen-Bornemisza), (1573-1576), repeats iconography and composition, reminiscent of Veronese and

Titian in the clear pavement, the balanced composition and in the serenity of the scene. The use of color is of a

master.

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (Fuendetodos, Zaragoza Province, March 30,

1746 - Bordeaux, France, April 16, 1828), one was a Spanish painter and

printmaker. His work covers the mural and easel painting, printmaking and

drawing. In all these facets developed a style that opens Romanticism.

Goya's art is also the beginning of contemporary painting, and is considered

a forerunner of twentieth-century avant-garde painting.

The painter Francisco de Goya y Lucientes travels to Italy.

After two failed attempts to get financial support to travel to Italy in order to

study the Italian painters, Goya, with his own means, leaves for Rome, Venice, Bologna and other Italian towns,

where he learns about the works of Guido Reni, Rubens, El Veronés or Raphael among other great painters.

There is a valuable document about his journey and activities called Italian notebook (Cuaderno Italiano), that

starts a series of notebooks on sketches and notes most kept in The Prado Museum. The Italian notebook is a

notebook on original drawings and autographic texts by Francisco de Goya, made during his journey to Italy in

1770, consisting of 83 white verjurado paper sheets which the artist bought to make use of, on his trip round the

country and that was made in the Italian town of Fabriano.

It also includes works of creation, studies of drawings, representation of architectural monuments and copies of

paintings that he contemplated during his Italian stay, what meant an aim in his learning. He drew by means of

pencil, sanguina and ink.

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An academic style characterizes these drawings. On sheet 64v

and 65r one can find the initial sketches of La Virgen del Pilar

and Muerte de San Francisco Javier, two religious paintings

nowadays in the Zaragoza Museum. Very important too is

the painting Anibal vencedor contempla por primera vez Italia desde

los Alpes, with which he entered a competition announced by

La Academia de Bellas Artes de Parma in 1770 that wan the

second prize.

Trait D´Union project of Spanish and Italian artists

This is a project promoted by the Museum of Sant 'Alberto of

Ravenna (in Italy) and the Observatory Art Arnuero (in

Cantabria), where Spanish and Italian artists participate in

unison. The project brings together various research/creation,

proposing a return to the origins, as a metaphor that combines

a plurality of orientations, sensitivities and meanings.

Project commissioned by Matteo Accarrino, Carmella Claps

and Maria Jesus Cueto.

-Arnuero Art Observatory

- Exhibition Hall

- Molino de Santa Olaja

From August 31 to October 15, 2012

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Music

Italian musician at the Spanish Court in the XVIII century.

The eighteenth century was a period of outstanding interest for Spanish

music and for the rest of Europe as well. The new Bourbon dynasty

helped Italian music penetrate in Spain, since so much Philip V as his son

Ferdinand, were music-lovers as well as their consorts Elizabeth of

Farnesio and Barbara of Braganza.

At that time frequent operatic representations were held at the theatres

‘Buen Retiro’ and at ‘Los Caños del Peral’ where nowadays stands the

‘Royal Theatre’, and in the places of ’Reales Sitios de Aranjuez’ and ‘El

Escorial’.

In that century Italian musicians as ‘Doménico Scarlatti, Farinelli,

Corselli or Boccherini’ came to Spain and, with them, were outstanding

other indigenous as ‘Literes, Nebra, Padre Soler or Manuel Canales’, to

mention only a few of the most brilliant in the Baroque and Classicism.

Francisco Corselli

He was born in Piacenza, near Parma, in 1705. He is one of the Italian

musicians settled in the Madrid Court, unfairly forgotten.

Few things are known about his life and even less about what really matters:

his intimate feeling.

He was ‘Maestro de Capilla’ of the duke and duchess of Parma who were

from the Farnesio family

. In 1734 he came to the court of Philip V, where he worked as a clavichord

and violin teacher for the princes and became ‘Maestro de Capilla de la

Corte’ in 1738, thanks to Barbara of Braganza’s protection.

Here he got married to a French man’s daughter, twice a widow.

He performed several operas: ‘La Cautela en la Amistad y robo de las Sabinas’, ‘Alessandro nell’Indie’, ‘Il

Farnace’, ‘Achile in Sciro’ and one part of ‘La clemenza de Tito’, previous to the homonyms opera of Mozart,

some of them with Metastasio’s libretto, the poet in fashion in the eighteenth century Europe.

From 1738 he devoted himself especially to religious music. He moreover did, together with other musicians,

the restoration of the musical archive of the Royal Palace, destroyed by a fire in 1834, and reorganized the

Orchestra of the Royal Chapel. He died in Madrid in 177…

Felipe V, audiophile, opened the doors to Italian music

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Joaquín Achúcarro, A Spaniar among the best pianist in the world.

Pianist from Bilbao Vizcaya and born on January 11, 1932. Gifted artist, which debuted with only 14 years, with

the Philharmonic Society of Bilbao on May 20, 1946

He studied at the Conservatory of Madrid and

extended his studies in Hochschulle of Sarrebrücken.

In Madrid he won first prize of virtuosity and then the

prestigious "Massaveu". He moved to Italy and

perfected his talent in the Chigiana Academy of Siena,

where he considered his best student, and the faculty

granted him the title of Academician of the honor. In

the International Competition in G.B. Viotti, Vercelli

(Italy), in 1953, he won the top award against hundreds of pianists.

He has performed with the most prestigious orchestras in the world under the direction of teachers as Zubin

Mehta, Claudio Abbado, Sir Adrian Boult, Wallenstein, Susskind. He has performed triumphantly countless

performances as a soloist and in recitals in most mainland capitals, as well as, Paris, Vienna, London, Milan,

Turin, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, etc.. In South America he performed in six tours in 1967 and several in

Scotland, Norway and South Africa. In 1985, he performed in countries like the U.S., Britain, France, Italy,

Germany, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, and Belgium. He also took part in festivals in

Granada, Verona, Europalia and Cheltenham.

He has been awarded the Gold Medal of Fine Arts.

In July 2005 he was appointed Universal Basque of the year by the Basque Government.

Source of information: http://pianistasdelmundo.blogspot.com.es

Literature

GARCILASO

Garcilaso de la Vega was born in Toledo, between 1498 – perhaps some years

before – and 1503, and died in Nice, duchy of Savoy, on October 14th, 1536.

He was a Spanish poet and was in the army in the Golden Age. He is regarded

as one of the greatest Spanish speaking writers.

In 1520 he served the King Carlos I of Spain as a royal contino. He learnt Greek,

Latin, Italian, French, Music and fencing

He was part of the entourage of the Duke of Alba II when Carlos I

disembarked in Santander in 1522.

He is present at the investiture of Carlos V as an Emperor in Bologna in 1530,

fighting bravely in the siege of Florence against the French (1530)

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It is in Italy where Garcilaso strengthens his classicism – already learnt with the Castilian humanists in the Court,

and rediscovered Virgil and his Bucólicas, Ovidio and his Metamorphosis, Horace and his Odes, without

forgetting other Greek authors whom he also studied.

Cervantes

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (Alcalá de Henares, September 29th, 1547 –

Madrid, April 22nd, 1616) was a Spanish soldier, novelist, and playright.

Visit to Italy and the battle of Lepanto

Philip II orders the arrest of Cervantes accused of wounding a man called

Antonio Sigura (a master builder) fighting a duel. This could be the reason

for him to go to Italy.

Cervantes was imbued with the Italian art and style.

He served Giulio Acquaviva who will become a cardinal in 1570, and whom he probably met in Madrid.

Cervantes followed him through Palermo, Milan, Florence, Venice, Parma and Ferrara.

On October 7th, 1571, he took part in the battle of Lepanto. In the naval battle he was wounded in his chest

and one hand, which remained paralyzed.

From that the nickname of ‘el manco de Lepanto’ comes from.

Quevedo

Francisco Gómez de Quevedo Villegas y Santibanez Cevallos (Madrid,

September 14, 15801 - Villanueva de los Infantes, Ciudad Real, September 8,

1645), known as Francisco de Quevedo, was a Spanish writer of the Golden Age.

This is one of the lead authors of the history of Spanish literature and is

particularly known for his poetry, but also wrote works of fiction and drama.

In the reign of Philip III and being D. Pedro Tellez-

turned, Duke of Osuna, viceroy of Naples, and the

Marquis de Villafranca, governor in Milan, directed the policy of the Spanish

monarchy in Italy, he found the resistance of the Duchy of Savoy and the

Republic of Venice. To secure the connection between the Milanese and the

Netherlands opened a new route through the Valtellina, in Switzerland in the

"Spanish Trail" and in 1618 there was the conspiracy of Venice, in which the

authorities launched a persecution against pro-Spanish agents, including writer

Francisco de Quevedo, secretary of the Duke of Osuna, he was commissioned to

direct and organize the Viceroyalty Finance, performing other missions, some

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espionage related to the Republic of Venice, participating in the "Conspiracy of Venice" but not directly as has

been believed until recently. In return you get the habit of the Order of Santiago in 1618. In a recent novel by

Arturo Perez Reverte, Series of Captain Alatriste, "The bridge of Murderers," Quevedo captain friend of charge

along with another mercenary, this Italian, the assassination of the Doge of Venice commissioned by the

Spanish crown.

Alessandro Manzoni

The Betrothed

The novel "The Betrothed" by Alessandro Manzoni (Milan, March 7, 1785 -

Milan, May 22, 1873) is considered a basic reference in Italian literature.

The novel tells the story of the engaged Renzo and Lucia, who are separated

by criminal machinations and after several adventures are reunited at the end.

It was atmosphere in northern Italy in the early seventeenth century, during

the Spanish government.

Don Rodrigo, a local gentleman, forces the priest of a small village close to the

lake Como, not to celebrate the marriage between Renzo Tramaglino and

Lucía Mondella, which have to abandon the village.

It stands out for its extraordinary description of the Milanese plague of 1630.

Lucia and her mother, assisted by Brother

Christopher, take refuge in a convent of Monza, while Renzo leaves to

Milan to obtain support that will help her win her cause.

Don Rodrigo, makes Innominato kidnap Lucy, but the sight of the unjustly

tormented young girl, and the arrival of Cardinal Borromeo, gives

Innominado a profound crisis of conscience: and instead of taking her to

Don Rodrigo he lets her go. Meanwhile, in times of disturbances and riots

by the scarcity of bread, Renzo arrived in Milan. In the end, she has to

escape to Bergamo.

Lombardy is destroyed by the war and the plague, but Renzo returns to

Milan to meet with his girlfriend.

He finds Lucia in a clinic alongside Brother Christopher who is caring for the sick among them, abandoned by

everyone, Don Rodrigo is dying. When the plague is eradicated, after many vicissitudes, Renzo and Lucia finally

get marry.

Alessandro Manzoni was one of the best Italian´s poets and writers.

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José Luis Sampedro

Jose Luis Sampedro Sáez (Barcelona, February 1, 1917 Madrid, April 8,

2013) writer, humanist and Spanish economist who advocates an economy

"more human, more caring, able to help develop the dignity of people." In

2010 the Council of Ministers was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters of

Spain for "his outstanding literary career and his commitment to the problems

of his time." In 2011 he was awarded the National Prize for Spanish Literature

The Etruscan Smile

Spanish novel by José Luis Sampedro included in the list of the 100 best novels of the twentieth century in

Spanish

The story takes place in Milan where Salvatore Roncone, a

grumpy old man, stubborn and extremely attached to his

hometown Calabria where he was born, he relocated by his

son Renato for cancer treatment.

In the big city he faces the clash of two worlds: his son and

wife and with his in the south of Italy, world of flavors, of

smells, old fashioned and male chauvinistic customs and

family feuds.

His little grandson is called Bruno, name that makes Grandpa happy because, even though his own son is

ignoring him, it was the name given to Salvatore in the underground partisan. A relationship is established

between the grandfather and the grandson, he overturns his tenderness and he tries to transmit his love for the

life that, as consequence of his disease, is escaping from him

University Spanish College in Bologna

The school of one nation to another, well defined Valdecasas, José Guillermo

Garcia, rector of the College of Spain in Bologna.

XIV century. Cardinal Gil de Albornoz, Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo and

primate of Spain, just to regain the States of the Church. Build a school for

Spanish students in Bologna (Italy). This creates the Royal College of Spain in

Bologna, San Clemente. Today is the only college in medieval Europe

subsisting. Each year scholarship to 16 Spanish students, as he did once. But

the center has not changed the requirements for access to their scholarships

since 1369: "Being male, Spanish, Catholic, of irreproachable conduct, under

30 years, licensed in Spain with very good grades, be free from disease or

physical or mental disability incompatible with the exercise of the corresponding functions."

Etruscan sarcophagus that gives title to the 

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Gil Alvarez de Albornoz was one of the most influential figures of his time. Doctor of Laws, acquired fame and

prestige to become advisor to King Alfonso XI of Castile and Archbishop of Toledo at the age of 28 years.

Delegate of Pope Innocent VI, drafted the "Constitutiones Aegidianae", the longest constitution in history. It

established the political regime of the Papal States in five provinces: Campania and Maritime, of Ancona, the

Duchy of Spoleto, Patrimony of St. Peter and Romagna.

In the pontificate of Urban V made a will and instituted as his sole heir to a college student who commanded

build in his beloved city of Bologna: "Of the rest of my

command and ordered goods in the city of Bologna and in a decent

place, is namely, near the university, a college is made ... and that

is built in a chapel in honor of the blessed good San Clemente and

are bought enough income to support to 24 college and two

capallanes ... which home or school want to be called the Spanish

House”.

Ten years participating together in European Projects

Since 2003 and until 2013, develop a European project aimed at European citizens

aged interaction fostering learning and knowledge exchange on cultural heritage,

using new technologies and learning of English as the language of project to

promote a sense of belonging to a common Europe at all.

In these projects as well as other countries (Belgium, Portugal, Germany, UK, Poland, etc.), Actively

participated Italy, represented by the Comune di Scandiano in the region of Emilia-Romagna and

Spain for Senior University of A Coruña.

These projects were:

2003-2006 Senior Story Board

2006-2009 Routes Towards Europe

2009-2011 Our Continent-Our Culture

2011-2013 More Than Neighbours!

Patio and cloister of the Spanish College in Bologna 

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Some North Italians now living in Galicia

NICO MATTEO NICORA

Born in Caorle

Venice (Italy)

Student of the U.D.C. "Senior University"

ADAYEUS choir director (Association of Students and alumni of the

University Senior)

VIRGINIA BLARDONA

Born in Citta-Corneliano d'Alba

Cuneo Province

Piemonte (Italy)

Restorative retired (The Tavernetta)

ROSALDO SALMENA

Born in Citta – Ovada

Province of Alessandria (Italy)

Entrepreneur Power (Market Square Lugo)

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Components Group Historic Relationship Between Spain and North of Italy

Amelia Calvo

América Calvo

Carmen Freire

Genoveva Chao

Mª Carmen Trigo

Mª Jesús García Abeledo

Mercedes Amado

Pilar González Santín

Agustín Cabezudo

Bibliography

Baccalaureate Course World History (1957 Plan) Editions Bruño

Art Review - Published daily news Logopress cultural and art

Valladolid, Memories and greatness, Volume I (1900) Casimiro G. Garcia-Valladolid (Group Pinciano)

History of Spain. Calve Espasa

Characters in the history of Spain. Calve Espasa

History and Life Magazines No. 414-488-511-536

Wikipedia (Internet)