Hi all! I'm 42, out of NY, third generation Italian. I was raised in a very conservative household where opera was the prefered soundtrack and The Godfather was watched often. For the longest time I rebelled against my heritage, refusing to embrace the usual stereotypes. A good friend once described me as "the most un-Italian Italian" she knows.

But lately I've been feeling a tug on my heart. It started with watching (and later, listening to the audio version of) "Under the Tuscan Sun" which I absolutely adore. Also I've been listening to Radio Italia on the internet and enjoying what I hear. (My current favs are Laura Pausini, Laura Bono and Simona Bencini.) I may not be able to interpret every word or turn of phrase but I understand the emotions. I've even been eyeing Italian lessons, wondering if I dare try to take it on...

Now my journey's led me here. Been lurking for awhile but am now coming out. so thanks for being there along my path.

Pace - Steff

Ciao Steff
While I did enjoy Under the Tuscan sun I would not say that the movie reflects mostly what the American expects to see in Italy... anyway it has a few stereotypes here and there that do not go with reality. I might come up soon with a list of movies.
If you want to hear some real classic that every italian knows by heart you should buy the Best of Battisti. He is the real essence of Italian songs.
Play Battisti: Il mio canto Libero here:
http://my.lifeinitaly.com/showthread.php?t=1349&highlight=battisti

Parli Italiano ?
Paolo

Ciao Steff,

Welcome to the forum!I have been learning Italian from the beginning of this year(it was a sort of new year resolution, and I am glad I made it, and stuck to it. I can now speak halting Italian, but I absolutely love it! Paolo introduced me to Battisti too, and I highly recommend "Il mio Canto Libero"....it has become my Italian anthem song!:)