Outside of books, there are the living Veronese.
Antonella Leonardo at the Ministry of Culture was unbelievably kind and helpful, answering questions and arranging for my wife and I to meet a half dozen fascinating people while we stayed. Besides arranging my introduction to the Count, she also connected us with Professor Rita Severi.
Rita teaches at the University of Verona. She, with her husband Paulo and their lovely daughter Giulia, took us out for the single most enjoyable evening in a three month tour of Europe. I learned more about Verona in that night than in two years of reading. Rita led me to the city library, where I was inundated with books as a gift from the head librarian. She also translated some of Manoello Guido’s verses for me, which I use early and often. I am very much in her debt.
Two days later we were taken on another tour by Daniela Zumiani, who showed us the Roman ruins under the city, available through shop basements and restaurant wine cellars. She was as enthused as could be by our little project. In her honor, let me plug her book, SHAKESPEARE AND VERONA – PALACES AND COURTYARDS OF MEDIEVAL VERONA, available in both English and Italian.
Between the books, surfing the web, and several trips to Verona and the region, I have had the wonderful experience of immersing myself in my tale. Yet, in spite of all this research, there will be errors. They are entirely my own.
– DB
