Benedetta Orsi and Friends: A Musical Journey Through Christmas Traditions

Arnold Stricker: 00:00:01

You're in for a great treat December 13th, the sixth annual concert which is going to benefit the St. Louis Bologna Sister cities. It's a must see, folks, and a must listen. Find out more on St. Louis in Tune. Welcome to St. Louis in Tune. And we're going.

Glad that you have joined us for fresh perspectives on issues and events with experts, community leaders and everyday people who are making a difference in our society and our world. I'm Arnold Stricker along with co host Mark Langston. And Mark, what's happening?

Mark Langston: 00:00:46

Howdy. I have two things before you get to the very important part of the day.

Arnold Stricker: 00:00:51

Okay.

Mark Langston: 00:00:51

Where did they go? Today is National Wear Brown Shoes Day. Did you wear brown shoes today?

Arnold Stricker: 00:00:57

I do.

Mark Langston: 00:00:58

Everybody's looking at their shoes. You did? I know. That's crazy.

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:02

Brown camo.

Mark Langston: 00:01:02

And then to go along with that, it's National Socks Day.

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:06

I do have socks on too.

Mark Langston: 00:01:07

Do you have funny socks in your sock drawer?

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:10

I love to wear different color socks now. I used to, they were. Had to be navy or black. I don't have any navy or black socks anymore. They're always multicolored.

Mark Langston: 00:01:19

Multicolor. Okay.

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:20

And when I was on the board of education, it was the thing for the men who were on the board and the men who were the administrators to wear fancy funky socks, different color socks, even though they're wearing a suit, might be like a blue suit or a dark suit.

Mark Langston: 00:01:35

And way beyond argyle socks. Right.

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:37

Way beyond that.

Mark Langston: 00:01:38

Okay.

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:38

Like Snoopy kind of stuff.

Mark Langston: 00:01:39

Yeah. Or with the president's face on them or something like that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:43

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:01:43

I, at one point I didn't even care if they matched because you had.

Arnold Stricker: 00:01:48

Another pair just like that.

Mark Langston: 00:01:49

I don't, sometimes they'd have a brown one and I didn't. Never did the white and a black or something.

But I always, if it didn't matter if they matched or not, that way I didn't have to sit there when I would do my laundry and I'd have to separate them all and put them together, make a little. I didn't have to do. I just give me two socks and that's all. So that's how it. Yeah, yeah.

My kids, my boys, Michael and Matthew, they have a sock drawer with I don't know what kind of socks.

Arnold Stricker: 00:02:15

There's those socks that actually have toes in them.

Mark Langston: 00:02:17

Oh, yeah, they've got those. They got all, everything imaginable. So it's National Sock Day and Brown Shoe Day. Brown Shoe Day.

I don't know how they, those, both those days got together, but they're together.

Arnold Stricker: 00:02:29

Today was Brown Shoe day. Formed in St. Louis because the Brown Shoe Company.

Mark Langston: 00:02:34

Oh, there we go. I know. I knew he was going to go there. I was afraid of that. Is there a national Black Shoe Day?

Arnold Stricker: 00:02:41

I'm sure there is.

Mark Langston: 00:02:42

There's a Brown Shoe Day.

Arnold Stricker: 00:02:44

Black Shoes, Buster Brown.

Mark Langston: 00:02:46

I used to always wear black shoes, though.

Arnold Stricker: 00:02:48

I did, too. I grew up wearing black shoes. They were hard sole.

Mark Langston: 00:02:52

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:02:53

Everybody else was wearing tennis shoes. My folks were like, no, you're not. Can't wear that.

Mark Langston: 00:02:56

Yeah, we had. What are they called? Cardovan. No, I don't. They were. We had penny loafers.

Arnold Stricker: 00:03:02

Penny loafers, yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:03:03

That we'd wear. And we put. Actually put a penny there. Yeah, yeah, I know it.

Arnold Stricker: 00:03:08

Now you have to put a quarter in them.

Mark Langston: 00:03:09

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Inflation. I know. I know how that goes. All right. I'm sorry. I just had to mention that at the opening of the show before everything got going here.

It'll get lost on a roll here. Okay, go ahead.

Arnold Stricker: 00:03:21

Now, this. This return to civility is especially important for those people who reside in the St.

Louis metropolitan area because this has been a serious problem, and I'm being serious about this now. This has been a serious problem with people getting hit, crossing the streets and hit and runs and stuff like that.

Folks, the return to civility is stop your car at crosswalks and allow people to cross the street. It is a state law. Actually, pedestrians have the same right as drivers to use public thoroughfares to get where they're going.

So give them a B R a K e. Now my problem comes. And I'm sure people who are listening would say, yeah, but they're crossing.

They're jaywalking and they're crossing at night, and they're not wearing any reflective clothing or light clothing, and I don't see them. That's a problem for pedestrians.

Mark Langston: 00:04:13

Right.

Arnold Stricker: 00:04:14

That's why you're supposed to cross at corners and at night, wear something that's reflective. But you're also supposed to, if you're driving a car, turn your lights on at night.

Mark Langston: 00:04:24

I. There's so much to unpack here. First of all, it doesn't matter if it's a state law or not. Why do you want to run people over?

Oh, my God, you're in the road. I'm gonna get you.

Arnold Stricker: 00:04:37

I honestly think either the people walking and. Or the people driving are so stoked. They don't know what's going on.

Mark Langston: 00:04:42

Not paying attention.

Arnold Stricker: 00:04:43

They're on their phones and they're high.

Mark Langston: 00:04:46

Yeah. Who knows? They're not driving. They're not paying attention.

Arnold Stricker: 00:04:50

Yeah, they're.

Mark Langston: 00:04:50

Oh, wait a minute. Wait.

Arnold Stricker: 00:04:52

I'm looking at my phone.

Mark Langston: 00:04:53

Oh my God.

Arnold Stricker: 00:04:53

Which way? I'm supposed to.

Mark Langston: 00:04:54

I know. I put my side mirrors into my car now because it's been hit too many times.

Arnold Stricker: 00:04:59

Yeah, I agree with that. They've been especially parking on the street.

Mark Langston: 00:05:02

Yeah, it's just my side mirror too. Like what's going on with now the.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:04

Cars do that automatically.

Mark Langston: 00:05:06

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:06

Highfalutin.

Mark Langston: 00:05:07

I can't afford that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:08

I can't either.

Mark Langston: 00:05:08

Yeah. Really?

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:10

I manually do that.

Mark Langston: 00:05:11

I thought you did it. No, I thought you could afford that. No, I thought you got paid a lot for this.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:16

I did, but it doesn't have those high flutin mirrors on.

Mark Langston: 00:05:19

Okay, we have a guest we have to get to. We're running out of time.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:23

She's sitting over here just laughing and she's been on the show before, so she knows how to deal with us.

Mark Langston: 00:05:30

No, I've been on the show eight years and I don't know how to deal with you.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:36

Benedetta Ori.

Mark Langston: 00:05:39

Wait, say her name again.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:40

Benedetta Orsi. Benedetta Orsi, opera singer, recording artist and performer is here in studio. Welcome back.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:05:47

Hello. Thank you for having me.

Arnold Stricker: 00:05:49

She's here to Talk about the 6th Annual Italian Christmas concert, Benedetta Orsi and Friends, which is going to be held December 13th, Friday the 13th at 7:30. And I. This is great. It's at the old cathedral, the Basilica of St. Louis. There are two basilicas of St. Louis, by the way. Yes.

Mark Langston: 00:06:07

I like the old one and the new one. Oh, the old one's beautiful. Used to go there on New Year's morning for mass. Yeah, they have a wonderful New Year's morning Mass.

Arnold Stricker: 00:06:15

Free parking tickets on Eventbrite. So welcome back. Tell us about this concert that you have because there's a lot of guests that are going to be there and I'll let you introduce them.

Although I will pronounce the pianist name if you allow me to.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:06:31

Go ahead.

Arnold Stricker: 00:06:33

It's. There's going to be Grammy Award winner Christine Brewer, who's from the St. Louis area, pianist Alla Voska. Boy Nikova.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:06:43

Yay.

Mark Langston: 00:06:45

Wow.

Arnold Stricker: 00:06:45

And a wind quintet of local performers and the Crescendo Youth Choirs.

Mark Langston: 00:06:49

Congratulations. And the acoustics are good. In the old cathedral or the basilica.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:06:54

It's an amazing space. We went there two years ago to do the other Christmas concert, the fourth Christmas concert, and the acoustic is really amazing.

And I am so impressed that many St. Louis people don't know a lot about the old cathedral. They have never been there. So some are like, oh, my goodness, we want to come.

We have never been there. So it's a plus. You are going to enjoy a beautiful Christmas concert with so many talented musicians.

Plus you have the chance to see the old cathedral and the arch, because it's right next to the arch right there.

Arnold Stricker: 00:07:24

And if you see pictures of the old cathedral back in the day, like back in the 20s, there were buildings all around it.

Mark Langston: 00:07:30

Oh, wow.

Arnold Stricker: 00:07:31

Now it's just sitting out there by itself.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:07:33

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:07:34

I remember the effort to keep it when they were building the arch. That was the one building they said, we're going to leave it. Which I thought was pretty neat.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:07:42

It is. It is, really.

Arnold Stricker: 00:07:43

So what was the impetus behind this concert? And it's the sixth annual. But why did you start all this?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:07:49

So I moved here in: 2017

And he actually, after a decade of inactivity, he refounded the San Luis Bologna Sister cities, which mission is to foster mutually beneficial relationship in economic development, arts, education, culture. And he contacted me when I came here and he was like, are you seriously from Bologna? And I'm like, born and raised.

And then I moved to the States and he was like, St. Louis is twin with Bologna. And I didn't know about it. And it was such a cool thing. Why don't we do a Christmas concert this year?

And so we started in: 2018

And this year is going to be the sixth annual Christmas concert Holiday concert. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:08:45

So what are people going to expect when they show up to the concert?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:08:48

First of all, to have a very nice and intimate evening, even if the old cathedral is very big. We always try to put together a beautiful ensemble of musicians from the St. Louis scene. This year we have the fantastic Christmas Christine Brewer.

So I'm very excited. I'm going to be dueting with her some of the most beautiful Christmas songs. And then we have a woodwind ensemble, a quintet that is going to join us.

And then we always feature young artists or young singers or musicians.

So this year we're going to have the Crescendo Youth Choir conducted by Gabrielle Pearl, and they're going to join us and sing us some Christmas carols and songs.

Arnold Stricker: 00:09:32

Cool.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:09:32

Yeah. We're bringing tradition from all over the world. So even if it's organized by the San Luis Bologna sister series, it's not just an Italian concert.

So we're going to have Polish Christmas carols, Italian, American, French, German. So it's going to be a big Christmas around the world.

Arnold Stricker: 00:09:48

So songs that people would know.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:09:50

Absolutely.

Arnold Stricker: 00:09:51

And then songs they may not know.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:09:52

Correct.

Arnold Stricker: 00:09:53

Yes. Add to their repertoire of Christmas songs.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:09:56

Exactly. And some that maybe they know as songs, and instead they're gonna hear them as an instrumental arrangement.

Arnold Stricker: 00:10:03

Cool, cool. So how long have you been preparing to. For this particular concert?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:10:08

Oh, it has been definitely since June.

Arnold Stricker: 00:10:12

Wow.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:10:13

I am basically the music director of this event.

Even if it's just one show, of course, it takes a lot of time to find the venue, to find the musicians and the music, because, of course, it's Christmas music, so we don't want to repeat every year. So I started in June and I got in contact with the old cathedral. I just really wanted to go back there. It's such a gorgeous venue.

And the acoustic and everybody there is so welcoming and warm. The only issue is that they don't have a piano there. Really, that you would not expect that because of all the weddings and baptism.

So that was a tricky thing in: 2000

We're going to have a Yamaha grand piano donated for the event. Everything came together.

Arnold Stricker: 00:11:05

That's nice of them.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:11:06

It is very nice.

Arnold Stricker: 00:11:07

That's good PR for.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:11:08

Absolutely. And they have been amazing in all senses.

Arnold Stricker: 00:11:11

Now they have an organ there, right?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:11:13

Yes.

Arnold Stricker: 00:11:14

Is it a ham and beef three?

Mark Langston: 00:11:16

No, no.

Arnold Stricker: 00:11:25

Have a jazz mask.

Mark Langston: 00:11:27

That's it. No, it's got those big pipes. Right.

Arnold Stricker: 00:11:32

Is that. Is that organ original to the building, do you know? Or is it.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:11:36

I don't know that. Yeah, you're.

Mark Langston: 00:11:38

I think it might be, though. I think it might be. I think I've been down there a few times. I think it's the same one they've always had.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:11:46

Yeah, that's gorgeous.

Mark Langston: 00:11:47

Yeah, yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:11:49

Okay. Yeah, yeah, we're on a roll here.

You have a lot of different sponsors because this is not something that you just, you know, call up the, you know, the archdiocese and say, hey, can we use the old cathedral, by the way? And blah, blah, blah. You know, you have sponsors that are supporting the efforts of what you're doing because of the.

What it will do for the community.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:12:14

I think they really like the fact to let our community know more about our sister cities. So San Luis, Bologna. Sister cities is Part of the San Luis Sister Cities program of the World Trade center here in St. Louis.

And they are the main sponsor for this event as well. But of course, we are a nonprofit, so any kind of donation helps, especially when we bring such big names on stage.

Mark Langston: 00:12:41

Right.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:12:42

We have always featured St. Louis Symphony musician, philharmonic musicians, Christine Brewer, there's no need to talk about her.

And so big names, and we want to make them feel happy when they come to this concert as well.

And I think it's a nice thing to put together a Christmas repertoire with so many talented musicians and give the opportunity to our audience to discover also different cultures, different traditions because we have so many different things in the Christmas traditions from different countries. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:13:20

So now does the cathedral, I should say the basilica because it's, that's really what it is. Does the basilica have wreaths up and Christmas decorations and candles or is that something that you guys have added to.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:13:34

No, it's something that they will have. Yes. So they just basically give us the space that is already a huge gift for us. We will bring in the piano and we will bring in the musicians.

We will stage things around so to fill the space as much as we can. But they will have their own decorations also, depending on the.

Arnold Stricker: 00:13:53

And just to let our listeners know that Michael was going to be here today also, but he has, he's a little ill and we didn't want him getting everybody else sick, especially you, because you're going to be singing. I had a question.

I thought this was very interesting and maybe you can or cannot answer this, but Mark, I was reading that the Sister Cities International, it's a non profit city to city network.

Mark Langston: 00:14:17

Okay.

Arnold Stricker: 00:14:18

Which St. Louis and Bologna are sister cities.

r, this was his suggestion in: 1956

And to me, when I read that, I was like, okay, way back then you had Ike, who was, who had just come out of World War II and the decorated general that he's saying citizen diplomacy might reduce the chance of future world conflicts.

And I thought, where are our politicians in understanding the importance of these groups and how they are reaching across the ocean to link with other countries and other people, that we're just the same kind of, we look for the same kinds of things. And you were back, you were back in Europe earlier this summer, right?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:15:15

Yes, I was there for two months. I went to visit my family July and August yes.

Arnold Stricker: 00:15:20

So how does the group in Bologna, how do they communicate with the St. Louis group? Or what do they think of us?

Mark Langston: 00:15:30

Maybe you shouldn't ask that.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:15:32

No, they really like it.

Arnold Stricker: 00:15:35

They don't know how to drive. That's what I read in the paper.

Mark Langston: 00:15:39

They don't run over pedestrians.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:15:42

They really love this twinning. They love to know that there is actually someone that is from Bologna that lives here.

So that can also bring our food culture, for example, our traditions, our musical tradition especially.

And also Michael organizes a lot of trips to Bologna and one idea for next year is actually to do a Christmas concert there with some of the committee from St. Louis that is going to join us there. So it's really very close to our hearts to bring these two cities together.

Arnold Stricker: 00:16:14

Wow. And folks, if you want more information on the St.

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So what is, what are you looking forward to in this particular concert?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:16:41

So I would like our audience to come, especially with their kids. This is going to be a kid friendly concert. We have the Crescendo Youth Choir. We have some.

I'm going to open, I'm not going to say the title, but with a very nice Christmas song especially for kids. So some can join me on, on stage, they can sit on the stairs and I'm going to read a book. But I'm not actually read.

I'm gonna, I'm not actually gonna read it, but I'm gonna sing it.

Mark Langston: 00:17:08

It's the Grinch.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:17:09

I'll tell you, I'll be all green. Actually, my husband last year started his concert at the Philharmonic Orchestra dressed like a Grinch.

Arnold Stricker: 00:17:20

Really?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:17:21

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:17:22

I like him. I already like him.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:17:24

Yeah. We could have that tradition now.

Mark Langston: 00:17:26

Okay. Wow, you're a mean 1.

Arnold Stricker: 00:17:30

Okay, Mr. Grinch.

Mark Langston: 00:17:32

That's it. That's it. I think it'd be great. I want to hear it done in opera. Sorry. I'm so sorry, but no, is.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:17:43

It is a very enjoyable concert. It's not just opera because you think, okay, Bennett is just an opera singer. So it's just gonna be about opera and classical.

Yes, it's gonna be classical music, but it's gonna be some jazz, some upbeat. So it's gonna be a lot of fun.

Mark Langston: 00:17:59

What time does it start?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:18:01

7:30Pm okay. And doors will open at 7.

Arnold Stricker: 00:18:04

And we were talking roughly, what, an hour and a half concert. Is there an intermission or no intermission?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:18:09

It's, I think, an hour and a half with some speeching at the beginning and introduction. Introducing all our musicians and. Yeah, change of the saddle. I would say an hour and a half.

Arnold Stricker: 00:18:18

Just give people a little perspective on timing and things like that. Maybe they want to Uber, maybe they don't.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:18:23

Exactly.

Arnold Stricker: 00:18:24

They can check that out like that.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:18:25

There are nice restaurants around the area if you're hungry after and you want to go grab a bite or a drink if you can.

Mark Langston: 00:18:32

Ballpark Village, not too far. Salt and smoke is there. Highly recommended.

Arnold Stricker: 00:18:36

Perfect. You must have been there before.

Mark Langston: 00:18:39

I have.

Arnold Stricker: 00:18:39

I do. So what's on your. You were over in Europe this summer. You were back home, and you're planning this concert. What's on the horizon for you?

Or can you mention that?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:18:52

I can mention that. I have. These two weeks are gonna be very busy for me. I have six concerts coming up in just 10 days.

Mark Langston: 00:18:59

Wow.

Arnold Stricker: 00:19:00

Wow.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:19:00

That's why also, I didn't want Michael here sick because I'm like, I cannot get sick right now. I'm gonna be this Saturday at the Magic House for two shows for kids there.

And the Saturday after our Christmas concert with the sister series, I'll be back at the Magic House to introduce. Introduce opera to the kids. So that is gonna be something else. Very funny. I'm also the artistic manager of the St.

Louis Women's Chorale, so I handle all the organization of our upcoming 31st season. We are in our 30th right now, but I organize the 31st and some more events and some more things.

I'll be back in Europe this summer for some concerts in Italy and France. So. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:19:40

Wow.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:19:40

Being busy.

Arnold Stricker: 00:19:41

Is the phone ringing off the hook for you to come sing?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:19:45

It is, actually.

Arnold Stricker: 00:19:46

It is.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:19:47

So it's very nice. It's a nice feeling.

Arnold Stricker: 00:19:49

Yeah.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:19:49

And nice. It is nice to collaborate with so many different organizations here in town. I really believe that St.

Louis is a wonderful city for music and entertainment, but it's also nice to be back to my country and to Europe and to work there.

Arnold Stricker: 00:20:05

Now, I know you speak Italian and I know you speak English. Do you speak, what, other languages?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:20:09

I speak Spanish because my husband is from the Dominican Republic, so I speak Spanish. A tiny bit of French.

Arnold Stricker: 00:20:14

Okay.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:20:15

I tried German, but it's so difficult that I gave up at some point.

Arnold Stricker: 00:20:18

It is completely in left field with all the rest of the romance.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:20:22

Yes, exactly. I can sing it. Working harder on addiction. And everything, but no.

Mark Langston: 00:20:28

Okay.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:20:29

Not my language.

Arnold Stricker: 00:20:29

She's a Benedetta's effectotum and she knows what that means.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:20:35

I do.

Arnold Stricker: 00:20:36

It basically means a jack of all trades.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:20:38

You are the person that does everything. So in that song, he does everything in the city. So he's the barber. He does everything.

Arnold Stricker: 00:20:45

It comes from Rossini's Largo Al factotum.

Mark Langston: 00:20:48

Wow. Factotum.

Arnold Stricker: 00:20:50

Factotum. See, that's our word for that. Could be our word for the day.

Mark Langston: 00:20:52

That would be a good word for the day. Factotum. I know it's new for me. You guys apparently have been using it for years.

Arnold Stricker: 00:21:02

Can't you know?

Mark Langston: 00:21:03

Oh, factotum is a musical term.

Arnold Stricker: 00:21:05

And actually our word for the day was going to be gesticulate.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:21:10

Oh, we do a lot.

Arnold Stricker: 00:21:12

She knows this one, too.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:21:13

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:21:14

Because the sentence is. Italians gesticulate a lot.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:21:18

Yes.

Arnold Stricker: 00:21:19

When they talk.

Mark Langston: 00:21:20

Yeah.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:21:20

We move our. That's our way. My son does it all the time and he learned it. We cannot stop.

Mark Langston: 00:21:27

Italians do. They do. Talk with their hands. Anyway. Italians do.

Arnold Stricker: 00:21:34

They do.

Mark Langston: 00:21:35

I know. That's like a. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:21:38

I'm grateful that you came in to talk about this, folks. At the basilica, which is The Basilica of St. Louis, King of France. The Old Cathedral in downtown St. Louis, near the Gateway Arch.

Free and secured parking available on site. Friday, December 13th at 7:30pm The 6th annual Italian Christmas Concert. Benedetta Orsi and friends, brought to you by the St.

Louis Bologna Sister cities. And you can get tickets at Eventbrite or you can get tickets at. By calling. If I can get this back up here at the correct place.

Mark Langston: 00:22:10

How much are tickets?

Benedetta Orsi: 00:22:11

They are $25. Not too.

Arnold Stricker: 00:22:14

Not too much.

Mark Langston: 00:22:15

Not too bad.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:22:16

And students are 15, so students are welcome as well.

Mark Langston: 00:22:19

Okay.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:22:19

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:22:20

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Mark Langston: 00:22:25

Say that again.

Arnold Stricker: 00:22:26

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Benedetta Orsi: 00:22:36

Saintlouisitalians.com and you can come the same night and purchase tickets at the door.

Arnold Stricker: 00:22:42

That's good to know. That's really good.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:22:43

Absolutely.

Mark Langston: 00:22:44

I think you should do more than one show. Myself.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:22:46

Hey, I would be happy to do it. Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I. I like to bring our own traditions. We have so many different traditions than the American one. So.

Mark Langston: 00:22:56

Yeah, I think more than one show is what you should do next year.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:23:01

That would be fun.

Mark Langston: 00:23:02

I do Sunday matinee or something like that.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:23:04

Oh, nice I like that.

Mark Langston: 00:23:05

Right after Mass.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:23:06

Yeah, stay with us. Grab.

Mark Langston: 00:23:08

Yeah, stay with us.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:23:09

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and listen to some carols.

Mark Langston: 00:23:13

I think it would be great.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:23:14

Get it. We're ready to go for next year.

Arnold Stricker: 00:23:18

It's already planned.

Mark Langston: 00:23:19

Get the archbishop on the phone right now.

Arnold Stricker: 00:23:24

We're doing this concert.

Mark Langston: 00:23:25

I know. Come on. You guys can help.

Arnold Stricker: 00:23:27

Thanks a lot. Good to see you again.

Benedetta Orsi: 00:23:28

Thank you. Thank you so much for having me.

Arnold Stricker: 00:23:30

All right, folks, we'll be right back. This is Arnold Stricker with Mark Langston of St. Louis Santoon. Don't go away. This is Arnold Stricker of St.

Scott Heritage Foundation. In: 1857

The decision declared that Dred Scott could not be free because he was not a citizen.

,: 1860

The Dred Scott Heritage foundation is requesting a commemorative stamp to be issued from the US Postal Service to recognize and remember the heritage of this amendment by issuing a stamp with the likeness of the man Dred Scott. But we need your support and the support of thousands of people who would like to see this happen.

To achieve this goal, we ask you to download, sign and share the one page petition with others. To find the petition, please go to dred ScottLives.org and click on the Dred Scott petition drive on the right side of the page.

On behalf of the Dred Scott Heritage foundation, this has been Arnold Stricker of St. Louis in tune.

Mark Langston: 00:25:00

You know, each time that we plan a show for St.

Louis in tune, we strive to bring you informative, useful and reflective stories as well as interviews about current and historic issues and events that involve people, places and things. And while St. Louis in tune originates from the gateway city and covers local topics, we also connect what's going on nationally as well.

Our topics cover a wide range of arts, crime, education, employment, faith, finance, food, health, history, housing, humor, justice, sports, and that's just to name a few. We know there's many radio stations, programs, even podcasts that you could be listening to, and we're glad that you've chosen to listen to St.

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Use the search engine to look for a show that might interest you from one of the many topics that we've covered and drop us a line and tell us how we're doing. You can do that@stlintune.com that's stlintune.com St.

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Arnold Stricker: 00:26:43

Welcome back to St. Louis in Tune. This is Arnold Stricker with Mark Langston. It's always fun talking to Benedetta.

Mark Langston: 00:26:59

What a wonderful lady.

Arnold Stricker: 00:27:00

Yes, she is. And folks, I want to remind you about the concert that is scheduled and it is scheduled for Friday, December 13, 7:30pm at the Basilica of St.

Louis, the Old cathedral. For those of you who are aware of that, there's going to be. Christine Brewer is going to be singing Ala Vaskoboynikova is playing piano.

-: 9451

Mark Langston: 00:27:35

And this is like the sixth year that they've done it.

Arnold Stricker: 00:27:38

The sixth annual. Yes.

Mark Langston: 00:27:40

So it's becoming quickly becoming a tradition. And this is a great tradition. I think I'm glad they're doing it and they keep coming back and doing it again.

Arnold Stricker: 00:27:49

Speaking of traditions, Mark, do you have any, your family have any Christmas traditions?

Mark Langston: 00:27:53

I don't. Just to get together. Our traditions are mainly.

We've had so many losses over the years and you know that so much has gone by the wayside we're trying to make. Actually, Marie and I have been talking about building new traditions because our boys are getting older.

They've got girlfriends, they're talking about marriage and grandkids. So we're talking about how can we start new traditions at our home. One thing we do, though, is we put up the Christmas tree.

It's been tough because of the cats. No, Stewie's actually good. It's Sheldon. Sheldon's the new one. Stewie's a little too fat to get up into the tree.

Arnold Stricker: 00:28:32

Okay.

Mark Langston: 00:28:33

Stewie is. Yeah. Stewie's a bit, a little bit overweight, I'm afraid. He's a typical tabby cat. But Sheldon, oh, he'll climb right up to the top.

Arnold Stricker: 00:28:42

Oh, wow.

Mark Langston: 00:28:42

But One of our traditions has been to. We always take. I'm sure a lot of families do take ornaments from the family. Maria's mom and my grandmother, my grandparents, and just.

And then we put them in special. My daughter who passed away, and we put them in special places on the tree. So that's been our big, traditional thing.

And it's a little sad because Sheldon doesn't get it.

Arnold Stricker: 00:29:07

Do you put tinsel on? Do you put lights on? What color lights do you put on? If you do, what do you put on top of the tree?

Mark Langston: 00:29:14

Maria and I always have the big argument. She wants the white lights, and I want the colored lights. I like the colored lights.

So for some reason, I'm not sure why I've won the argument the last number of years. I'm. I don't win many arguments with Maria, but this one, she threw me a bone and said, okay, we'll. We'll do that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:29:34

We'll do the colored lights.

Mark Langston: 00:29:35

Yeah. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:29:36

Or do you do. Are they big bulbs or are they small bulbs? No, they're the little.

Mark Langston: 00:29:39

They're the little, small ones. I thought the big ones. We found that they got really hot, and it. It compromised the tree a little bit, and so we got worried about that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:29:47

And you do real tree, Artificial tree?

Mark Langston: 00:29:50

No, we're doing the artificial.

Arnold Stricker: 00:29:51

Okay.

Mark Langston: 00:29:52

I know, I know.

Arnold Stricker: 00:29:53

Okay. No, it's.

Mark Langston: 00:29:54

I like the real tree. We've had real trees for years and then just went to the artificial, and it seems to work out okay for us, but we do love the real.

You got to constantly water them. We found that the animals were licking the water out of there.

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:07

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:30:08

It was always. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:09

It's really sappy over there.

Mark Langston: 00:30:10

Stewie. Going up that tree. I know. So when they knock it over, it's not. It's scary to see. And folks that might know it. You have a cat.

I don't know if your cat ever gets up in the Christmas tree, but to see those little beady eyes, like, halfway out. Yeah. Halfway up the Christmas tree, looking out at you.

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:29

Wow.

Mark Langston: 00:30:30

What is this all about? I know.

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:32

I'm going to get them now.

Mark Langston: 00:30:35

So that's where our tradition is. We have traditional food that we have, you know, like wieners and bacon wrapped with bacon.

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:44

Okay, cool.

Mark Langston: 00:30:45

You know, some other dips and things like that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:47

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:30:48

How about you? How about the Stricker fan?

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:51

We. It's been. We haven't put up a real big tree for quite a while. We have a little bitty tree.

Mark Langston: 00:30:57

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:30:58

And because it's. It's tough to get it up into the condo. And we'd have to do an artificial one. We have a dog and a cat. And the dog is.

I'm sure he would just run into it like he normally does and thinks that some of the ornaments might be dog treats or something.

Mark Langston: 00:31:12

Play toys.

Arnold Stricker: 00:31:13

Yeah, exactly.

Mark Langston: 00:31:14

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:31:14

And I'm sure the cat would probably be all over it too. He's. Vinnie is. He's a jumper. And I saw a video about how people were keeping their cat off the counters and the stove and, you know, the table.

They put tin foil down.

Mark Langston: 00:31:31

Yes.

Arnold Stricker: 00:31:32

Aluminum foil.

Mark Langston: 00:31:33

I've heard that the tin foil works.

Arnold Stricker: 00:31:34

And my. The cat just did put one claw up there and was bouncing 10ft away.

Mark Langston: 00:31:39

Really?

Arnold Stricker: 00:31:40

Yeah. I'll have to show you that after today. It was unbelievable. It was actually huge.

Mark Langston: 00:31:44

Really?

Arnold Stricker: 00:31:45

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:31:45

I've heard the tin foil is. Is it tin foil or aluminum foil?

Arnold Stricker: 00:31:48

Aluminum foil. I don't know if it was. Yeah, they're making hats out of it. Right. I don't know if.

If it's the feel or it's when the pad hits it or it's just slides or what the deal is, but these cats are just. They're jumping like 20ft in the air. I'm serious.

Mark Langston: 00:32:04

Yeah. Torment your animal. I love it, but that's good. I've heard some people say put aluminum foil. I keep calling it tin foil. Of course.

I call our refrigerator an ice box.

Arnold Stricker: 00:32:19

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:32:19

Yeah. That's gonna date you a little bit.

Arnold Stricker: 00:32:21

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:32:22

An ice box. Well, I get that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:32:25

I know what you're talking about.

Mark Langston: 00:32:26

My kids are always like, what icebox? What are you talking about?

Arnold Stricker: 00:32:31

Get onto the program here.

Mark Langston: 00:32:32

Right.

Arnold Stricker: 00:32:33

No, we've. We'll put some lights up inside and we've got a couple things that we would normally put out or put under the tree.

And there's a hand carved little manger scene and things like that. And the ornaments from that the kids would make over the years and things like that. Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:32:52

So we used to put. We take newspaper, make. Make it in balls and put it under the tree and then put a white sheet on it so it looked like it was like little.

And then we'd have a little. We'd make a little village under there. All these little houses. And we have our manger scene. We still have that. But the cats, we can't. They eat it.

Yeah, I can't. It's our old family. It's got to be 100 years old, handed down. And I'm. It just kills me. Every year I look at it and I go oh, yeah.

I'm not getting any younger.

Arnold Stricker: 00:33:21

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:33:21

I want to enjoy it a little.

Arnold Stricker: 00:33:22

Bit, but so normally on Christmas Day, it's a kind of. There's. Amy's done a casserole, egg casserole. And that's made the day before and you throw it in the oven. Everybody wears their pajamas all day long.

Mark Langston: 00:33:36

Oh, yeah.

Arnold Stricker: 00:33:37

And we used to watch when the kids were younger, it was watching. What's the one with don't shoot your eye out?

Mark Langston: 00:33:42

Is that the one where they have the leg lamp?

Arnold Stricker: 00:33:45

Yes. Would watch that.

Mark Langston: 00:33:47

The leg lamp.

Arnold Stricker: 00:33:48

Yeah, the lamp. Trying to remember the name escapes me.

Mark Langston: 00:33:50

Of the movie. I can't remember it either.

Arnold Stricker: 00:33:52

Say Christmas story. But that's. I don't think that's right.

Mark Langston: 00:33:54

No, I don't know. Yeah, I know what you're talking about. Yep. So that was part of the tradition.

Arnold Stricker: 00:33:59

That's part of the tradition. Yes.

Mark Langston: 00:34:00

To do that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:34:01

Yes.

Mark Langston: 00:34:01

Okay. I don't know if we have any. We never really had a movie that we would watch.

We just watched stuff throughout the week before or something like that and just enjoy it. And we'd always go to midnight mass. Aye, aye, aye. Now at. I don't know what time midnight mass is anymore, but it was at midnight.

And then a couple of years, we'd come home at 1:30 because it was a high mass and went forever. And let's open presents. Really?

Arnold Stricker: 00:34:30

Yeah. I remember growing up, we used to be able to open one present on Christmas Eve right before we went to church.

And it was like, we gotta wait until tomorrow. Do that. And some people open their presents, their gifts. Some people put up the tree on Christmas Eve.

Mark Langston: 00:34:45

Yes. That was the tradition, was it not? Didn't they used to do that Christmas Eve? They put up the tree. Wow. Have we gotten away from stuff, huh?

Arnold Stricker: 00:34:52

Yeah, it's become. Now you can buy a mattress. That's another mattress day sale.

Mark Langston: 00:34:59

There's so many sales this time of year. I know. It's gonna.

Arnold Stricker: 00:35:04

I think there's something for every day. What's this? Black Friday. And then what was the Saturday? And then it was technology Monday. Or by local Tuesday or bi. Local Saturday.

Mark Langston: 00:35:16

There's a lot of that kind of stuff going on.

Arnold Stricker: 00:35:19

So you have some of those days? Actually.

Mark Langston: 00:35:23

Yeah. How about Global Fat Bike Day? You're a bike rider?

Arnold Stricker: 00:35:28

Yes.

Mark Langston: 00:35:28

They're talking about the fat tires on a bike.

Arnold Stricker: 00:35:31

Okay.

Mark Langston: 00:35:32

Do you have fat tires on your bike?

Arnold Stricker: 00:35:33

No, I have hybrid. So they're not the narrow tires, but they're not the fat. It's a hybrid kind of Deal.

Mark Langston: 00:35:40

National Dice Day. Do you ever play dice?

Arnold Stricker: 00:35:43

No. Only roll them for a monopoly or something.

Mark Langston: 00:35:46

Is that it? Okay. Seven snake eyes. Boxcars.

Arnold Stricker: 00:35:52

You must be familiar.

Mark Langston: 00:35:54

Santa's List Day. Excited. Worried. Which of Santa's lists are you going to be on this year? This is the day that Santa starts to put that list together.

Arnold Stricker: 00:36:04

Decides, eh?

Mark Langston: 00:36:05

Yep. It starts. National Bank Day. Yep. I don't know about a national. They should have a National Credit Union Day, but I don't know.

We talked earlier about National Soc Day, which was fun. World Life, World Wildlife Conservation Day. There's something that everybody should be every day. Oh, yeah, I think so. International Ninja Day. Hiya.

Bathtub Party Day. Get your clothes, get in the bath bombs, and get ready for a bathtub party. That's where you're. I don't know what you're doing. I don't know.

Arnold Stricker: 00:36:46

Washing your clothes.

Mark Langston: 00:36:47

Yep. Let's see. International Volunteer Day coming up. You know, that's a good thing to do. It is good to do it.

Arnold Stricker: 00:36:55

It does help with organizations that need some extra help and maybe not. They don't have the money to have somebody on staff.

Mark Langston: 00:37:03

National Blue Jean Day. Do you still wear blue jeans?

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:06

I have a set on right now.

Mark Langston: 00:37:07

Do you now?

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:07

Yes.

Mark Langston: 00:37:08

I just started wearing sweats. They give more in the waist. I found out there is national. I'll give you one more national communicate with your kids Day.

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:22

Oh, that should be every day, every hour, every minute, every second.

Mark Langston: 00:37:26

I know. Oh, and coming up on the fifth is a Walt Disney Day. On Walt Disney's Day, dress up as your favorite Disney character.

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:33

Is that his birthday?

Mark Langston: 00:37:35

The 5th of December, I believe is.

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:36

Okay.

Mark Langston: 00:37:37

Yeah. So I think that's coming right up. And we're going to Disney World again for the 19th time in January when the crowds aren't bad.

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:45

Wow.

Mark Langston: 00:37:45

And it's cool.

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:46

Yeah.

Mark Langston: 00:37:47

We've been there in July.

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:48

It's hot.

Mark Langston: 00:37:49

It's bad. It's not just hot, it's bad.

Arnold Stricker: 00:37:54

Wow.

Mark Langston: 00:37:55

Yep. So those are a few of the days that we want to make sure you don't miss.

Arnold Stricker: 00:38:00

Okay. So Christmas is so much harder when you get older. It's. What do you want this year? I don't know. Maybe a sense of purpose, financial security.

Could use more sleep, a bottle of wine, maybe some new bras. Earlier today I saw a bumper sticker that said, I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal.

Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road. I don't know if I can really read that one. It's a good one, but I don't know if I can read it. Let's see now. I see here.

Salesman, this car seats six people without any problems. Me, I don't think I know six people without any problems.

Mark Langston: 00:38:49

I'm with you on that one.

Arnold Stricker: 00:38:51

My husband and I. This is from a social media post from a woman. She says, my husband and I have a secret to making our marriage last.

Twice a week we go to a nice restaurant, drink a little wine, eat good food and enjoy companionship. He goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays.

I did the math on my December budget and came to a conclusion that everyone's getting a hug and maybe a high five for Christmas this year. Let's see here. Wow, must have been a bad time. When I was going, there must not have been very good jokes. Okay, here we go.

Me, your shoes are on the wrong feet. The four year old says, I don't have any other feet. I said, fair enough.

Mark Langston: 00:39:50

Wow, that's a smart kid.

Arnold Stricker: 00:39:53

Yeah. So what's the difference between a kleptomaniac and a literalist? Oh, the literalist takes things literally. The kleptomaniac takes things literally.

Mark Langston: 00:40:05

Yes. I knew it. Yes. Could see that coming about a mile away.

Arnold Stricker: 00:40:08

Santa has been reading your posts all year. Most of you are getting dictionaries. And I know we're after Thanksgiving, but some people actually do a turkey for Christmas or for Hanukkah.

Okay, so this is how to cook a turkey. Okay, step one, buy a turkey. Step two, have a glass of wine. Step three, stuff the turkey. Step four, have a glass of wine.

Step five, put the turkey in the oven. Step six, relax and have a glass of wine. Step seven, turk the basty. Step eight, wine of glass, another get.

Step nine, hunt for meat for the thermometer. Step ten, glass yourself another pour of wine. Step eleven, bake the wine for four hours. Step twelve, take the oven out of the turkey.

Step thirteen, tut the sable. Step fourteen, grab another waddle of bine. And step fifteen, turk the carvey.

Mark Langston: 00:41:09

That makes sense. Believe it or not, that makes sense.

Arnold Stricker: 00:41:14

Mark and I know that you say this every morning. And yet another again, this morning, no one was standing next to my bed saying, your royal highness, here's your mimosa.

Mark Langston: 00:41:24

That's true. I was like, where are they? Yeah, nobody was there. I kept looking but didn't show up.

Arnold Stricker: 00:41:33

I saw someone dragging a clam on a leash this morning. It must be hard to walk with a pulled muscle.

Mark Langston: 00:41:41

No, sorry.

Arnold Stricker: 00:41:45

Lance isn't a very common name nowadays. But in Medieval times, people were called Lance a lot.

Mark Langston: 00:41:54

Oh, my gosh. Wow.

Arnold Stricker: 00:41:58

How do farmers party? They turn up the beets.

Mark Langston: 00:42:08

Okay, don't leave us yet, folks.

Arnold Stricker: 00:42:10

I think I've got a couple more here. Oh, gosh.

Mark Langston: 00:42:13

Thanks for the warmth.

Arnold Stricker: 00:42:14

Said that one already. Yesterday I wore something from five years ago, and it actually fit. I'm so proud of myself. It was a scarf. Be still. Let's be positive here.

Mark Langston: 00:42:22

A scarf. I love it. Oh, my gosh. That's a scarf.

Arnold Stricker: 00:42:29

All right. And don't let anyone ruin your day, folks. You're an adult. Do it yourself.

Mark Langston: 00:42:36

I think that's a good, good way to put it. I'm up for that.

Arnold Stricker: 00:42:40

So I think we can close on that note.

Mark Langston: 00:42:42

Okay. All right. That's probably not a bad idea.

Arnold Stricker: 00:42:49

Well, that's all for this hour. Thank you for joining us. If you've enjoyed this episode, you can listen to additional shows@stlin tune.com.

consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, Podchaser, or your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to grow.

I want to thank Bob Bertha Cell for our theme music, our guest Benedetta Orsi, and co host Mark Langston. And we thank you for being a part of our community of curious minds. St. Louis in tune is a production of Motif Media Group and the US Radio Network.

Remember to keep seeking, keep learning, walk worthy, and let your light shine. For St. Louis in tune, I'm Arnold Stricker.