“ALTHOUGH April in Paris is a time of budding trees and brilliant gardens, the sights to be seen in Paris are often not out and about in the streets but in the carefully lit rooms of galleries, most especially in the Musee d’ Orsay which houses a brilliant collection of impressionist paintings. There we have a record of friendships celebrated and talents generously nurtured by well-chosen friends. Gaugin and Van Gogh, Picasso and Matisse—these artists brought out the best in each other and were wise enough to know it. Their work cross-pollinated each other’s.” — Julia Cameron, The Art of Perseverance, 2006
“All men are created equal”, incorporated by Thomas Jefferson into the Declaration of Independence, was paraphrased from the works of Italian-born patriot, Philip Mazzei, a close friend of Jefferson as described by John F. Kennedy in his book, “A Nation of Immigrants.”
Mazzei’s original words were: “All men are born naturally free and independent.”
The history lesson, above, was imparted to me by Jamie Lazzara, an American-born violin maker, who was in Southern California in September 2012 and in March 2014.
Jamie Marie Lazzarra is a master violin maker, whose violin shop, “Liutaio” has been visited by world-renowned violinists, including Itzhak Perlman, who played during President Barack Obama’s inauguration, on January 20, 2009.
Perlman used a personally crafted violin made by Jaime in Florence, Italy. It was crafted in 1993, with all the details copied from the original Stradivarius of 1714.
She has now crafted many “babies,“ a euphemism for her artisan-crafted violins while her visits to the US include visiting clients who play these personally crafted violins. It is an act of generosity that endears Jamie to her clients, and to take special attention to make sure her “babies” are doing well in the hands of their owners.
Each one has a particular personality, a “voice” so to speak. Each one is delivered to its owner, including a ceremony that Jamie goes through, to ensure that each baby is an authentic creation from her shop, Liutaio, based in Florence, Italy.
That ceremony is only known to the artist and her client, as each guitar is handcrafted and measured to fit the musician’s hands.
I asked Jamie if I may write about these words, which she lovingly gilded into the handcrafted violin she made, a gift to President Barack Obama and family.
“The sound of violin talks
I will resound lightly
In the heart who knows what the world is worth
The first thing that things are done
Aforethought is universal brotherhood
If Philip Mazzei with a sincere heart
He wrote that every man is born
The same as the other
To make this thought proclaimed in vain
I say, Obama, be strong, go forward, ABANTE!”
—Composed and shared with a group of friends by Giovanni Bartholleni Da Prato, March 17, 2014.
The violin has been acknowledged received at the White House and a letter of acceptance reads: “My deep thanks for the beautiful violin. Music’s power to inspire us transcends languages and borders. And I appreciate your thoughtful gesture. Thank you again for your kind gift. I wish you the best.” —Barack Obama, Dec. 7, 2012.
She refers to him as “my President!” She may be thousands of miles away, but she stays engaged in her birthplace. A native-born American, Jamie graduated from Cal State Long Beach and moved to Florence. She studied in Cremona, learning the art of making violins, and joins an elite group of master artisans (mostly men) who are called “luthiers.”
For all her accomplishments, this native-born Californian, now a craftsman/artist, lives life engaged in making violins, playing folk music with friends, and creating other works of art. It is fascinating to see her appreciate every piece of painting, sculpture at Getty Villa and soak in its historical significance in the history of Rome and the world.
Art through Jamie’s eyes and Giovanni’s poetry is a day of immersing in our collective humanities, making pieces of art that sing and dance, but mostly vocal about peace in our hearts!
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Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.