and go like leaves on the trees. History has taught us that. It should
not surprise me if twenty-five years from now Mussolini were long
forgotten. But who will certainly not be forgotten …’ the professor
pauses significantly …
‘Ha!’ interrupts Giordano with a laugh, ‘Antonio Vivaldi!’
But the professor is not laughing; indeed, his expression is
grave as he softly replies, ‘Vivaldi, yes, possibly. But also Renzo
Giordano!’
The director stares back at him half-stunned. At his right eye he
feels the involuntary tic that always comes when he is under
pressure.
‘What did you say?’ he asks in amazement.
‘I named your deceased son, and the possibility of making
Renzo immortal. I know for certain that this way you would be
doing your wife a great service and an honour.’
‘But I don’t understand what you mean,’ stammers Filippo.
‘Signor Giordano, this collection, this music carries the potential
once more to conquer the world. Your name and that of your son
will thus never more be forgotten; they will be synonymous with
that of this great composer.’
It looks for a moment as if Giordano can glimpse the future, for
he smiles fleetingly at this alluring idea. But then he shakes his
head. ‘Nonsense, Professor. No one would take on such a
proposal.’
‘There is a precedent,’ Professor Gentili volleys back at him.
‘The first half of the collection is in fact financed by Roberto Foa in
memory of his son Mauro, who died very young.’
‘I see that you have done your homework, Professor.’
Gentili continues unperturbed. His arms thrown wide in an all-
embracing gesture, he declaims, “The Mauro Foa and Renzo
Giordano Collection”. That is how our library will designate it..
What is more, a suitable vignette will be designed for the new
bindings, incorporating an image of your son. In Memoria Di Renzo
Giordano.’
The professor folds his arms, giving the other man the chance
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