WRITER - "ADDIO ADDIO, AMICO CRUDELE"

GIORGIO QUINTINI - LETTER WRITER

Born and nurtured in a different age, Giorgio Quintini was an inveterate writer of letters. He preferred a strong black pen on white A4 paper and his characteristic hand was immediately recognizable when one of his long envelopes dropped on the doormat. He was always an interesting correspondent; his topics ranging from current affairs, with the most scandalous gossip, to obscure genealogical and heraldic points.

One form of letter which was notorious among his intimates and which all dreaded receiving was the "lettera d'addio" in which, for some real or imagined slight, Giorgio would write page upon page of contumely, then read it out to other friends before or after having sent it. Some of the letters were never posted, but only read out; others were sent, but none seem to have survived. Having heard some of them, I think it unlikely that the recipients would have kept them. Their names were then expunged from the Quintini address book, with an indelible black marker.

What does remain is a series of imaginary goodbye letters from men to their male partners which he prepared for public recital in Ovada. I do not know whether this was ever given and would be grateful for information on the point. It is entitled Addio addio, amico crudele, and consists of 27 pages of A4 typescript. The opening is given here, in which Giorgio Quintini addresses his imaginary audience before launching into his first letter from one South American to another.

The letters continue:
Sergio to Gian-Gualberto Corè, antique dealer, pp 5-7;
Bob to Mr. John Smith-Residence, fashionistas, pp.7-8;

Mario Formigotti (lawyer) to Franco Brambilla sending a bill for hospitality given, pp.8-9;
Franco to Ing. Mario Rossi by telegram, p. 9;

A young tenor, sung to Maestro Ildebrando, composer, p.9;
Cirillo to Giocondo, both old age pensioners, pp10-11:

Bindo to Marchese Guidobaldo Monticelli, aristocrats, pp.11-12;

Enzo to Guido, two lower-middle-class gossips, pp.13-14;
Francois to Jean-Louis, Roman hairdressers, pp.14-16;
Furio to Marzio, two fascist bodybuilders, p. 17;

Eros to Bruto, who has emigrated to Australia, pp.17-19;

Valerio to Giuliano Giuliani, a couple of actors, pp.19-20;
Gamaliel, il Mago di Pomezia to Mario Branchi, two fortune tellers, pp-22-23;
Walter to Dr. Luigi Verdi, a patient to his doctor, pp.23-24;

Claude to Stelio Aleandri, two "artistic" friends, pp.24-26.

Then the series ends with a short letter from a rough transvestite, Giggi, to 'her' lover, Nando.
Giorgio autographed his typescript.