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THE GOD OF GOLD
The figure of the God of Gold appears in the History of the Carnival of St. Stefano from the very beginning. In the Rosaria de la Pignata misteriosa de Sastefano (the full title of the Duke’s Anthem), sung for the first time by 33 buteleti stefanati (little boys from the St. Stefano quarter of Verona) during the famous Carnival of 1884, the author, Francesco Pozza, wrote that the Duke had discovered “la pignata che na volta / dio del’or meteva l brodo” (the pot where once the God of Gold had placed the broth). This is obviously a parody of the classical mythology.However it was only in the 1920’s that the organisers of the St. Stefano Carnival decided to place a figure representing the mythical god on the Committee’s float, which followed the Dukes chariot. He was placed beside the famous pot and among the pignatini, with the treasure, found by Siro Zuliani, held up to him. The figure, however, had a minor role, without a precise identity.In the climate of revival during the post-war period, when, thanks to the initiative of the St. Stefano Committee, Verona’s carnival returned in all its splendour with the parade of floats and celebrations in the town squares, it was decided that the character of the God of Gold would be elected annually, along the lines of what took place in San Zeno for the Papŕ del Gnoco and in other quarters for their respective Masks. And so began a long succession of figures, with a wide variety of personalities, beginning with Giovanni Cabianca, who was the first official God of Gold in1950. The image of the God of Gold changed with the figures representing him. At the beginning this God was dressed as an ancient Roman Emperor, later a more composite style was adopted, which was vaguely reminiscent of the 1600’s or 1800’s, and this transformed him into a gold version of the Duke. Finally the costume became oriental in style, glowing with precious gems. What did remain constant, however, were the distinctive sign of the sceptre (or other symbol of power) and the predominance of gold in the image. The position of the pot on the float remained unchanged.The Mask of the God of Gold was an elective one, in contrast to the life term nature of the Ducal reign. The election of the God of Gold caused much heated discussion amongst the various candidates from the different quarters of Verona. Voting day, together with the Investiture Ceremony, became an important part of Carnival.The extravagant personalities of some of the role’s interpreters determined the success of the Mask at city level. Even today, the God of Gold accompanies the Duke regularly and speaks at all the events, surrounded by Primavera, Tigellino and the other allegorical figures who make up his court.
For the year 2004 the god of Gold is Giorgio Bissoli, who has already fulfilled the role several times in previous years with great success.
Project:
Alberto Cornaglia
webmaster@ducatosantostefano.it
Text, Researh and Advice:
Carlo Bortolon - Tiziana Gherardi - Franco Ballini
Marilena Garofalo - Marion Hogan - Anna Capasso