Hello again; I am writing today to update the post about the Giostra Du Re or the King’s Amusement. I always encourage my clients to supply me with video, and now that the owner has done that; I wanted to make sure that everyone got to see it.
A Little Explanation
This video was taken a long time ago and originally recorded on VHS tape. The famous Italian singer Gabriella Ferri wanted a carousel for a scene she was filming for a television show. The horse you see in the video is not part of the amusement. The owner added that just for the tv shooting. I’m told the song is about horses or a horse thus the addition. Not speaking Italian I don’t really know. I just know that this will give you a real good idea of just how special this attraction is.
The Video
Without any further delay Here is the video. I have been told by one friend that it is a very good video and the flowers in the hair of the violin player made her laugh. Please let me know what you think of the video. I hope you enjoy watching it even if you don’t have any interest in the carousel. And if you do like it, please use the buttons to share on social media.
Gabriella Ferri’s Bio
I took this information from Her Wikipedia page. Gabriella Ferri was born September 18, 1942 and died April 3, 2004. She was an Italian singer born in Rome. Ferri’s career began in a Milan nightclub in 1963. By 1965, she had broken in to the Rome singing scene by singing popular Roman songs. One of her biggest hits was “Sempre” (“Always”). During her career, she also performed Neapolitan and Latin American pieces. During the 1970’s, she starred in several popular TV shows. By the 1990’s, however, she had largely left the spotlight. She died in Corchiano, province of Viterbo, after falling from a third-floor balcony in an apparent suicide. Family members dispute this, saying she may have fallen ill after taking anti-depression medication and lost her balance.
Do You Recognize It?
I have come to understand that Ferri has a lot of fans in Italy. I imagine even now there are many of them who still have fond memories of her. And they may even rebroadcast her television appearances in Italy and Europe. So, I’m challenging my readers. In the comments section I want you to let me know if you can name the song she is singing. Also, can you tell me the name of the show this would have been filmed for? Perhaps you can at least guess the year based on her clothing or some other visual cues. I would also love it if you would share your memories of Gabriella. I should remind readers that I am almost totally blind, so please be extra descriptive in your comments. It seams this amusement has even more Italian history than I first thought. Even more reason to keep it in tact and in Italy.
Needing Your Help
I am enjoying working on this project. I am starting to feel a responsibility for the future of this amazing attraction. I want and need it to go to a good home, and I will need your help for that. I don’t have any contacts among the art world. I wouldn’t really know how to start contacting museums or even know which ones would be most likely to have some interest in the Giostra Du Re. I’m hoping that interest from fans of Ferri as well as people who appreciate this as a work of art will help me find it the perfect new home. So, please share this with your friends, family and coworkers. Feel free to forward it to anyone you know in the news media or the entertainment world who might be able to draw needed attention to this cause. I will greatly appreciate your help.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers. I look forward to your comments and questions. And you don’t have to need my help to stop by. I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. If you reach out to me on social media I will almost always accept invitations. This is because i truly believe you never know where the next great friend, colleague, or idea is going to come from. So until next time, thanks and take care, Max
Great post, Max – interesting, but sad, to hear that story about the singer and how she died. I’d have loved to know what the song meant – let’s hope some of your readers can provide you with a bit more info.
It’s a real stroke of luck that she did that video using the ride – an amazing find!
Hi Sue; thanks for the complement. It is lucky that the owner thought to make a copy or keep one of the video. Even luckier that his ex-wife agreed to give him the tape so he could publicize the ride. I too hope someone sees this and can tell me even more about her, the song, its meaning, and the television show or movie it was part of. As they say on auction hunters the better the story the bigger the price. In this case am not looking for the highest price though just the best home. And thanks for continuing to read my posts and leave such thoughtful comments. Take care, max
Max- Who knows that drive people to do what they do. What an ugly way to die. My suggestion is to see if someone can translate the song. Not knowing Italian, I am out. You do come with amazing finds.How fortunate you were to be supplied with with video.
Arleen recently posted…How Teamwork is the Root of Any Successful Business
Hi Arleen; Thanks for your suggestion. I will post the link to a group i am part of where i know there are some italian speakers. I will update the post if i find out what the song is. and i do seem to be blessed with some unusual listings. It makes up for all those people who have chosen not to use me either because of my site being commission based or because I am still relatively new to a lot of people in the amusement industry. Thanks again and take care, max
Hi Max
Perhaps I can find something out from all the Italians I know at my physio.
They or their parents perhaps know or remember this.
It was shown on the RAI tv channel, from what I can see on the video. This is one of Italy’s main channels, which we also get here in Switzerland. Not that I watch it, as I too don’t understand much italian.
Not sure how easily you could get to people who want to buy such a carousel, but you never know
ashley
Ashley recently posted…Street Magic Tricks
Hi Ashley; Thanks for checking out the video and for your helpful comment. I will check for a site for the RAI tv network. perhaps they have a forum i could post the video on. And thanks also for your kind offer to ask around about the song. Finding a buyer for the king’s amusement is definitely a challenge. I almost think I should recommend the owner contact an art dealer as they would be more familiar with the museums and galleries and the people who make purchases for such institutions. But I wil give it a good try. I was hoping for more traffic on the item while I’m looking. Thanks again and take care, max
I am not familiar with Gabriella Ferri, so sadly I am unable to add to what you and others have already provided.
I did enjoy watching her video. The carousel was really interesting. It is a re kind that is very hard to find these days because the animals and characters are suspended rather then moving up and done as they do today.
What a said way to end for such a wonderful voice. đŸ™‚
Susan Cooper recently posted…Pumpkin Pie In A Jar: Recipe
hi susan; Thanks for your reply. I can honestly say I haven’t run across another one anything like this one anywhere. and it is sad about her death but doesn’t it seam so many of our most brilliant creative people have such ends. I mean there is elvis, michael jackson, heath ledger, kurt govain, and many others. I’m also glad you enjoyed the video. The owner told me it was good, and my brother patrick agreed; but its still nice to know that people think highly of it. thanks again and take care, max