Streisand in Rome, 1984
English translations and notes courtesy of Christian Marcone
WITH RAFFAELLA CARRÀ: Rome. Barbra Streisand with Raffaella Carrà, during the party in honor of the american Diva, in which all the very important people of the entertainment industry participated. With Yentl, Barbra debuted behind the camera.
NOTE: Raffaella Carrà (1946) is one of the most important personalities in entertainment, extremely successfull as a TV presenter, dancer and singer, in Italy, Spain and Latin America (but she's quite well-known in France and Germany as well). Her career spans from the Sixties to nowadays.
IDOL OF THE YOUNG GENERATION: Rome. Claudio Baglioni, the idol of the young generation, happily poses with Streisand during the party. Barbra, not only an actress, is also a celebrated singer, even if she never studied music. "What is Art" she replied. "It cannot be studied."
NOTE: Claudio Baglioni (1951) is a well known singer and author and has sold more than 55 million records worldwide. He began his carrier in the Seventies and he's still active.
SORDI'S CURIOSITY: Rome. Alberto Sordi, one of the guests that night, caught during a funny moment: exploring Barbra's back neckline to "watch her more closely." The actress, absolutely at ease, jokes with him. Barbra Streisand is 41. At 16 she began to attend clubs and she won a singing contest. After that, the first nightclub arrived and then television apperances.
NOTE: Alberto Sordi (1920-2003) was one of the most famous Italian actors of all the time, particularly remembered for his memorable roles in many bitter comedies and in his anti-hero persona. He was active since the late 1930's.
A. MONICA AND MARIANGELA - TWO DEAR FRIENDS: Rome. Barbra Streisand between Mariangela Melato (on left) and Monica Vitti. “We've known each other a very long time,” Streisand says “and we are close friends. When Mariangela and Monica come to America, they are always my guests.” During her Roman holiday, Streisand was the "protagonist" of a truly Dolce Vita (a famous Fellini movie) episode: a photographer (paparazzo) molested her two of her "gorillas" (body guards) were arrested for assault and battery, while a frightened Barbra ran in a shop in Via Condotti (a sort of Roman "Fifth Avenue").
NOTE: Mariangela Melato (1941-2013) has always been considered among the greatest Italian actresses, both in theatre and in the cinema, and she attained a great fame since the 70's for her roles in both comedies and dramas: in USA she became known for her parts in a bunch of Lina Wertmuller's pictures. She was also extremely active in the theatre.
Monica Vitti (1931) is one of the most beloved Italian actress, particularly successfull in many comedies (often with Alberto Sordi). She began her fame as a muse for Michelangelo Antonioni in some of his Sixties dramas. She retired from the entertainment industry in the late 90's.
Barbra mentioned, in the 90's, both two among her all time favourite Italian actresses, among Eleonora Duse and Anna Magnani.
B. GREAT SHOW BIZ PEOPLE: Rome. A real group of big personalities at the party honoring Barbra. From the left, Vittorio Gassman, Monica Vitti, Giulietta Masina, Streisand and Alberto Sordi. During her roman holiday, Barbra had lunch with Federico Fellini, but the director couldn't come to the party.
At the end of the party, the actress said: “To realize my film (Yentl) I had to fight against everybody, and now I'm very tired. For a couple of years, I want just to rest.” In 1969, Barbra, as a star of Funny Girl, won the Oscar.
NOTE: Vittorio Gassman (1922-2000), was considered the greatest "serious" Italian actor of his time, especially in theatre (famous in his Dante lectures) but also successfull in the cinema and in television.
Giulietta Masina (1921-1994), wife of Federico Fellini, was a well known actress, best remembered for Fellini's La Strada. Fellini knew Barbra since the Seventies and admired her openly.
End.
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