Christmas 1939
“Presenting Conte Vincenzo Cavallo, Contessa Isabella Cavallo, Viscount Luca Cavallo, and Viscontessa Sally Cavallo,” the smartly dressed footman announced from the grand foyer entrance of Palazzo della Regina in Memoria, the 17th century palace and hunting lodge of the Vacarro family. As the Cavallo family entered and greeted their hosts, Conte and Contessa Vacarro, the footman announced, “Presenting Signor Adamo Levi, Signora Adele Levi-Montalcini, Signorina Rita Montalcini-Levi, and Signorina Paola Levi-Montalcini.” The Levi-Montalcini family quickly followed behind the Cavallos to greet Conte and Contessa Vacarro and thank them for their gracious invitations. They all had heard of the magnificent opulence of the Palazzo della Regina in Memoria, designed by the same architects who built the Villa Della Regina for the House of Savoy. “Close your mouth dear sister and stop gawking,” Rita said with a hidden elbow nudge and smile to her sister Paola who was taking in the grandeur of the frescos, historic art work, tapestries, and more gracing every inch of the grand foyer from the marble floors up to the soaring ceiling that stretched what seemed like endlessly down the long corridor into the grand salon.
As the Cavallo and Levi-Montalcini family made their way into the grand salon, taking a crystal flute of welcome champagne offered by the footman who flanked each of the towering, gilded doors, they heard the footman at the palazzo entrance announce, “Presenting Signorina Cristiana Agnelli and Signorina Clara Agnelli.” Sally turned to see the new guests arriving and leaned over smiling and whispering to their group, “You were correct in your description Adele to say they are avant-garde with their fashion. Cristiana and Clara are both wearing one-of-a-kind new haute couture designer gowns from Isabella Schiaparelli! I saw those designs in Isabella’s atelier not long ago and know for a fact they haven’t even been seen in a fashion runway show yet! Isabella must have designed them specifically for the Agnelli family,” she exclaimed quietly impressed if not a bit jealous of the Agnelli women.
“I am looking forward to speaking with them this evening,” Rita replied. “As much as I’d like to meet them socially and discuss art, culture, social events and other polite conversation, I’d also like to know how they are managing everything happening in our country right now with the war to the north and soon to be on our doorsteps here in Piemonte and Turin,” she added.
“I understand your feelings my dear,” Adele Levi-Montalcini replied. “However, tread lightly with your questioning as they are a very powerful family in the country and well connected and liked by Il Duce in Rome,” her mother warned gently.
“I am all too well aware mother and will tread lightly I promise,” Rita replied with a smile of comfort to her mother. “I can only imagine the delicate balance they have to walk with the enormous Fiat business with the Italian government and all of their employees that depend on them maintaining a peaceful coexistence to continue operations. But I also want to know what their true feelings are about what is happening and if they can be trusted or are they dangerous neighbors to us and other Jewish Italian families.” Just then the footman announced for the guests to make their way into the dining room for the formal Christmas Dinner.
After the sumptuous Christmas dinner, Contessa Vacarro rose and invited all of the women to join her in the French Drawing Room for aperitifs while the gentlemen were invited by Conte Vacarro into the Library for cigars and bourbon. Luca kissed Sally and Rita both on the cheek and with a slight grin and chuckle chided, “Be nice ladies! Don’t put the Agnelli women on the defensive.”
“Now, when have we ever done that?”Rita questioned with a playful smile.
“Don’t you trust us darling?” Sally asked teasingly.
“I trust you,” Luca replied, “But I also know you both very well.” “Be yourselves but be gentle,” he concluded with a smile and another kiss for them both before his father took him by the elbow to follow into the library.
“Thank you, ladies, for attending our Christmas holiday party,” Contessa Vacarro announced to the gathered women in the French Drawing Room. Raising her aperitif glass filled with Amaretto she continued, “A toast to a bright happy new year ahead in 1940!”
“To the new year!” everyone replied in unison with their glasses raised in a toast.
After the toast Sally saw their opening to talk with the Agnelli women. Nudging Rita and Paola, she guestured with her head and a smile as they made their way over to the side of the drawing room nearest the piano where Cristiana and her sister Clara were standing alone. “Good evening Signorinas,” Sally began politely, “If we are not imposing, may I introduce myself, and my friends?” she asked with a smile.
“Oh, my dear, no introductions are necessary. My sister Clara and I were hoping to have the opportunity to introduce ourselves to all of you!” Cristiana replied surprisingly with a warm genuine smile.
“She doesn’t seem aloof or unapproachable at all as some describe,” Sally thought to herself before replying out loud, “That’s so wonderful news! Then you know that I’m Viscontessa Sally Cavallo and my friends are Signorina Rita Levi-Montalcini and her sister Signorina Paola Levi-Montalcini,” she added formally.
“Of course, and it is a pleasure to meet all three of you.” Cristiana replied followed by her formal introductions, “And of course you know we are Signorina Cristiana Agnelli and Signorina Clara Agnelli of the Turin Agnelli family,” she concluded with the same warm smile.
“We most certainly are humbly aware of you and your family through your company Fiat, and your presence in many national and international society events and social circles,” Sally said with high praise. “But if I may ask, how did you come to know the three of us so well?” she asked with honest curiosity
“Oh, I have such a passion for art, especially impressionist artists, and I’ve been following your artwork Paola for some time,” Clara replied with sincere appreciation.
“Why thank you very much!” Paola said humbly. “I am quite flattered. And I would love to discuss our mutual interests in art anytime,” she added.
“And of course Rita we both learned about you through friends at the university of Turin and your significant scientific research there,” Cristiana replied. “We were devastated to learn that you were let go under such terrible and unfair circumstances,” she added seriously. “While it is a difficult line we walk with our Fiat company being so connected to the national government, supplying many vehicles, and our large number of employees we are responsible for them having jobs and their livelihoods, we want you and your family to know that we do not support these recent attacks and laws against our Jewish neighbors and friends. And we are here to support you in any way we can within the limits of our delicate business situation,” Cristiana concluded sincerely.
“It is such a relief to hear that from you,” Rita replied quietly. “And we do understand your delicate situation. We are grateful to know that you are supportive during these difficult times,” she added. “And the same goes from our family. If there’s ever anything we can do to help your family, please let us know as well.”
“That is comforting to know,” Cristiana replied. “If I can confide in all of you, just between us, I fear now that France and England declared war on Germany, it won’t be too long before Il Duce and Italy enter the war on the side of the Axis with Germany. If that happens, our manufacturing facilities in Turin and the industrial city and region will no doubt be a target for bombings,” she said gravely. “As residents of Turin and Piemonte region, we may need to call on each other often in the next year and beyond if war comes to our doorsteps, which I fear is almost inevitable,” she said sternly.
“I never thought about that!” Rita replied quietly with a look of shock on her face. “But you are absolutely correct that Turin would be a heavy target as a major industrial city and region when, not if, war arrives upon us,” she replied. “In these dark times when leaders rattle their sabers of war, but we, the citizens, are the ones who will suffer the brunt of the atrocities of war, we will need to band together and support each other as much as possible,” Rita continued with determined concern in her voice. “We are here for the Agnelli family as well,” she concluded.
“That’s wonderful to hear too!” Cristiana and Clara replied simultaneously.
“All this dark talk of war, and I almost forgot to ask, how you know me so well?” Sally asked, hoping to lighten the subject.
“Oh, darling, through our mutually favorite Italian haute couture designer and friend Signora Isabella Schiaparelli!” Cristiana replied laughingly and stepping back gesturing to the fabulous new Schiaparelli gowns she and Clara wore. “We heard from Isabella that she designed the wedding gown for your marriage to Viscount Luca Cavallo! Quite the handsome catch too we must say!” Cristiana continued with a wink as Sally blushed slightly.
“Your gowns are exquisite!” Sally replied. “We all simply adore Isabella and her brilliant fashion creations,” she added.
“Her fashion creations are like one-of-a-kind art pieces, and the women she dresses are her canvas,” Paola added with a smile.
“I thought the same thing!” Clara exclaimed as she stood back and did a slight twirl to model the artistic creation of Isabella’s that she was wearing. “I adore the thought of being a canvas for an artist like Isabella,” Clara added with a smile.
“And you both are strikingly beautiful canvases for Isabella’s art as well,” Paola replied with Sally and Rita nodding in agreement.
“It is such a pleasure for all of us to meet this holiday season,” Cristiana replied. “We must stay in close touch with each other in the new year. I’ll have my social secretary send each of you my social calendar for the year, and I insist that we find several events where we may meet again,” she invited with sincerity. “And if there’s ever any time you are of need to reach me in between our social engagements, please do take my calling card and reach out anytime. As I said, 1940 may be a very difficult year, and as the men in this world continue to make trouble, as it often is in history, the strong women will have to step in to manage the chaos and minimize damage where possible,” she said stoically. “But for now, there’s a party going on here still!” “Let’s continue the celebrations!” she exclaimed, raising her aperitif glass, “To 1940! And to independent women!”
“To independent women!” they all replied, clinking their glasses as a shout came from the crowd, “Viscontessa Cavallo, entertain us with a song!
“Sally blushed replying, “I don’t have an accompanist on the piano,” to which a lively male voice broke in.
“I’d be most honored to accompany you Viscontessa Cavallo!” replied the acclaimed American playwright, composer, and singer Noël Coward as he took a seat at the piano and began playing. “What shall it be?” Noel asked Sally.
“Anything you like Mr. Coward!” Sally replied with a smile. “It will be an honor to sing with you!”
“How on earth is Noël Coward here?” Rita whispered to Cristiana.
“Contessa Vacarro heard he was in Paris and she couldn’t resist having the surprise of him entertaining at her annual Christmas party!” Cristiana chuckled. “She’s out done herself this time!”
Sally smiled leaning against the piano and singing along with the famous Noël Coward, wanting to pinch herself to see if it was real. Was this truly her life? Was she finally winning this time? It all felt right in the moment, and she hoped the moment would never end.
