Located at the entrance to Rome, “IL borgo di Tragliata,” rises above an impressive tufa buttress. Archeological sources provide evidence that this area has been inhabited since ancient times. The discovery of the famous, “Oinochoe of Tagliatella” vase confirms the existence of human settlements since the Etruscan era within an area subject to control by either Ceri or Veio. The place name “Tragliata” takes note of the place names, Talianum Tagliata or Terlata, during medieval times and appears to be derived from “Tagliata, (meaning, “cut”), which is the word given to the paths dug into the tufa by the Etruscans.
Midway through the eighth century, this area of the Roman countryside saw a period of repopulation thanks to the intelligence and will of Pope San Zaccaria (741-752) and Pope Adriano I (772-793). Encouraged by political and religious motives, these two Pontiffs presented an energetic revival and control of the territory.
During ninth and tenth centuries the historical scene began to change, the Roman countryside, with less support for the Papacy by the Carolugian empire, was made subject to continual and bloody raids by the Saracen pirates. The system of the “Domuscultae” entered into definite crisis, superceded by a strong defense system of towers and small castles; several coastal light towers were constructed to be used as bright defense signals to alert the inland region upon the pirates’ approach.
The construction of Tragliata’s small castle and tower date back to the ninth century, according to sources at the nearby Boccea castle.
The estate still belongs to the Vatican Basilica, even if time after time it was more or less controlled directly by others. In 1201, for example, it was ruled by a certain Jocobus de Traliata who occupied it, possibly as a lord. Several years later Tragliata, together with nearby “castium” Loterni, became subject to the interests of the turbulent Normanni family.
In 1885, the Chapter granted the Tragliata estate to Mr. Nicola Santovetti as the perpetual leaseholder. Consequently, Santovetti sold the lease to Mr. Domenico Lanza in 1917, (the great grand father of the present proprietor, Andrea de Gallo di Roccagiovane) who then took over as a tenant to finally gain possession of the estate in the following years.
The dinner will be accompanying by an Opera Singer, who will sing some of the most known pieces from some great composers.
Opera has existed for more than four hundred years and incorporates all varieties of other art forms; dance, visual arts, music, costumes, sets and make-up. The word "opera" meaning "a work" is essentially a story told to music. Operatic stories come from many sources; history, mythology, fairy tales, folk stories, literature and drama.
Stories and story telling seem to tap into a basic human need and all cultures have story telling traditions. They teach us about life and death, love and hate, good and bad; in short, the human condition.
The 18th century brought opera to its baroque height with an incredible number of works being written and performed which then led to the classical period of Franz Joseph Hadyn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig von Beethoven.
However, the most famous of all the Italian opera composers during the Romantic period was Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901). With the exception of a few songs and a string quartet, all of Verdi's works were written for the stage.
Opera is truly a reflection of the human condition and whether the story is Shakespeare, Aesop or Hugo, it will continue to delight audiences of all ages and cultures, because on the most basic level, opera is telling the story of our lives.