Post by Alessandro Bellarmine on Apr 28, 2013 21:17:30 GMT -5
Sometimes it was rather easy to forget completely that Alessandro Bellarmine was barely out of his teens, and living abroad in America. Only 19, he had become somewhat of an icon of what males in modern and classical ballet aspire to become. He was involved in many performances over the past several weeks, with the subsequent warm-ups and practices lasting well into the evening. Then there was media coverage, and interviews to be had. He also bore a responsibility to UNICEF as Italy's Good Will Ambassador, and his reach extended to the children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other places around the world where children were threatened by famine, disease and exploitation.
Socially, he lived in a very circular world that involved waking up early before the rooster crowed, showering. packing a few small meals to nosh on throughout the day during class and working out in the studio for an upcoming performance; getting dressed for the studio, and so on and so on. It was so hard for Alessandro some days, when he looked out the window of his townhouse on Riverside Drive to watch the sun rise over a cup of Japanese Matcha. He hated coffee, so green tea was what he used to wake up with in the morning. In the quiet hours then, looking out upon his world in the Big Apple with all of its loudness, traffic and congestion--it was when he longed for his Italian home. Born and raised in the province of Alessandria, in the town of Casale Monferrato, life was so much simpler. In American, he was dreaming at night of his Mamma's Osso Buco with Lemon Gremolata and Risotto alla Zucca.
He missed home terribly, and it was times like speaking the English that was so difficult for him because he tried so hard to pronounce the words perfectly and get their meaning at the same time. It was a puzzle of epic proportions for Alessandro to solve. He wanted to go home, but work was always there. With it the fame as well as the fortune and his family time was sacrificed for the love of the dance. He spoke to his family often, or they would call to ask him why he was not calling home! His Mamma, Natalia, and Pappa, Giacomo in Casale Monferrato. His older brother Matteo, in Paris, France. And his big sis, Sofia in Milan. They all sent their love to him and it came in the form of a box that arrived just after he arrived home at 7 P.M. sharp, after an evening stroll in Central Park to clear his mind.
In the box was a letter written in Italian:
Caro Alessandro,
Tutti noi qua in Italia amare e mancate caramente, mio figlio. Quanto è la vita in America si trattando? Sono gli studenti stanno imparando bene? So che hai chiamato per dirci di nel modo da voi avete dimostrato come ricordare i ritmi così i loro piedi e le braccia non assomigliano polli selvatici. Ricorda il momento che hai imparato i tuoi primi passi danza nel balle? Io certamente fare. In allegato è accluso qualche cibo speciale per te dalla cucina. Tuo padre ha dipinto ultimamente, e vorrei che lui aveva terminare così posso tornare a di cottura e di essere in grado di ottenere per i miei vasi di salsa. Può essere frustrante per me, ma cosa posso dire? Amo tuo padre! Paolo ha compiuto due anni e ha richiamato l'immagine per suo zio Alessi. L'ho messo nella scatola pure. Sofia è stato acquistato sacco di Nutella e le noci secchi ti piacciono tanto. Il nostro amore da Italia a voi caro figlio. State bene e stare al sicuro!
Con il nostro amore,
Mamma e Papà
Enclosed was:
4 Large jars of Nutella
3 bags of Italian roasted nuts
2 jars of Cerignola olives
1 wheel of Bitto cheese (in a wax rind)
Sperlari Caramelle Assortite Gran Misto
Kinder Cereali Bars
1 bottle of Dolcetto d’Alba 2005 wine
Mamma's Polenta Shortbread
A drawing from his 2 year old nephew, Paolo