{ Chapter Five }
Natoli: conversazione, the English equivalent would be soirée or evening party.
Attending a conversazione was one of the favorite pastimes of eighteenth century nobility, such as going to the theatre or attending feasts. There were specially provided “circles” and drawing rooms, separate for ladies and cavalieri; often the same nobles opened the drawing rooms of their princely dwellings for conversazioni. AC, 579.
Soirée
Refers to Palazzo Branciforte, behind the Oratorio di Santa Cita; in the early eighteenth century Caterina (1691-1763), daughter and last heir of the Prince of Butera, Nicolò Placido Branciforte e del Carertto, married Duke Ercole Michele Branciforte. AC, 579.
his former home
The palazzo of the Princes of Butera is one of the largest and most elegant noble residences in the city. With successive expansions it attained a frontage of 120 meters on the street, which takes its name from the palazzo. On the opposite side, it overlooks the Marina with an open air terrace. AC, 580.
to enjoy the cool sea air
the Conservatorio dei Dispersi or the Buon Pastore
The conservatory was founded as an orphanage in 1618 on the ruins of the ancient Church of the Annunziata, at the behest of the viceroy, Count De Castro, with the name Orfanatrofio del Buon Pastore (Good Shepard). Music was taught beginning in 1721, and by 1747 music was taught exclusively.