The commemoration of Bruno Petrali, singer, former speaker of Radio Fiume and commentator of RTV Capodistria, former actor and director of Dramma Italiano, who recently passed away at the age of 98, was held at Palazzo Modello, the seat of the Italian Community of Rijeka.

The president of the association, Melita Sciucca, opened the meeting with a minute of silence, underlining the fact that Petrali's friends and acquaintances had gathered with affection to remember the figure and work of their illustrious compatriot. Sciucca defined him as a great piece of history and humanity and declared that when people of his greatness leave, an unfillable void remains.

The letter of Francesco Squarcia
Alongside the president of CI Rijeka, Petrali was also remembered by Elvia Nacinovich and Ester Vrancich as colleagues and long-time actresses at Dramma Italiano, the former directors of the Company, Laura Marchig (present at the evening on behalf of the director of DI, Giulio Settimo), Sandro Damiani and Jadranka Čubrić, honorary president of the Association of musicians (HGU) of the Region. Before the speeches of those present, however, Sciucca read a letter from Francesco Squarcia in which the viola player from Rijeka retraces phone calls and chats with Petrali. “A mine of resources and knowledge – he defined him -, of notions, anecdotes, stories about the history of Rijeka that have strengthened my pride of belonging. I will remember him for his friendship, affability and sympathy. Protect us. Goodbye Bruno”.

A practical and rational person
A greeting from a distance was also brought by Loredana Gašparović, who for many years was responsible for the Marketing sector of TNC “Ivan de Zajc”, who was unable to attend the commemoration.
Elvia Nacinovich described him as a man with multiple talents and interests, who did everything naturally and effortlessly. She never heard him say he was tired or had too many commitments. She will remember him for his singing and his warm and persuasive voice, for his beautiful and elegant figure. “Bruno was a serious and well-prepared professional – she declared -, but also captivating, with a vein of irony. In my opinion, what gratified him most was being the director of the Italian Drama. He brought his charisma to the Theater and did not let himself be intimidated by the fact that the DI was a difficult company to manage. Petrali had a vocation, by his own admission, 'for water up to his neck', which is why he faced difficulties with courage. He was a practical, rational, but also creative man. He sensed that something was changing in the Theater and that changes needed to be made. He hired directors, costume designers and set designers who revolutionized it, allowing the DI to make a leap in quality. He took the company abroad and sold the shows to Zagreb television.” Nacinovich also recalled two other important steps taken by Petrali, namely the introduction of matinees for Italian school children and the sale of season tickets through CI. “Petrali had great respect for the public and knew their tastes,” Nacinovich added. “He gave us, young actors at the time, the opportunity to grow and learn the ropes. Only years later did we discover that his name was not Bruno but Dante. He probably thought it was too demanding. If he hears me now, I would like to tell him: ‘Forget about the comparison, for us you will always be great!’”.

"Let's be glad we had it"
Ester Vrancich instead told some funny anecdotes related to her arrival in Fiume and to the shows that were being performed in Kvarner and Istria at the time. She remembered the time when “La locandiera” was supposed to be performed in Lussino, but Raniero Brumini’s father died and Petrali took over, playing the part in an astonishing way considering the almost zero preparation for the role.
Laura Marchig began her speech by announcing that the Italian Drama will dedicate the repeat of “Enrico IV” on January 17 to its historic director. Marchig then continued by talking about the friendship between her father Edoardo and Bruno Petrali, former elementary school classmates. Petrali was also her first director since Marchig had already started acting at the age of 14 as a replacement. At the time, her teacher, Nereo Scaglia and the actor Giulio Marini, proposed her as an actress, giving her the opportunity to live an extraordinary experience. With Petrali, the DI became an ambassador of the Italian language and dialect in our lands and met all its speakers. Marchig concluded by quoting Saint Augustine who wrote: “Let us not be saddened by having lost him, but rejoice in having had him”.
Sandro Damiani recalled the last years of his father, also an actor of the DI as well as an essayist, poet and writer, who was often visited by Petrali. The meetings were marked by laughter and understanding between the two men.
The last speaker, on behalf of HGU, was Jadranka Čubrić, who stated that Petrali, next to Ivo Robić and Zvonimira Krkljuš, was one of the three most influential singers of the 1950s. Čubrić mentioned the most famous classics performed by Petrali, including those from the last years made with the group “Sarah & the Romans”.
The evening was also enriched by videos, photographs and archive audio in which Petrali sings or talks about his childhood. The funeral of the late Bruno Petrali was held on Monday, January 2 at the Tersatto Cemetery. The funeral rite was attended by numerous people including several compatriots.

Star Defranza
Source: The Voice of the People – 04/01/2022