Italian linguist with zest for living

Press, 7 August 1976, Page 8

Italian linguist with zest for living

When Dr Agnese Barolo arrived in Britain to do research at Oxford University about three years ago, she could not even say “hello” in English. But the Italian girl with a doctorate in languages from the University of Turin had no problem in picking up English with alacrity.

It was not long before she was teaching French and Italian at Oxford High School for Girls. Now, after only three weeks of living in Christchurch she is already tutoring part-time in French at the University of Canterbury and hopes to teach both French and Italian privately. The vivacious Agnese also speaks Spanish, reads Portuguese and Swedish and is now learning Bengali. Earlier this year she married a Bengali, whom she met at Oxford. He is Dr Gowher Rizvi, who is doing research in history at the University of Canterbury on a post-doctorate fellowship, and if they ever visit his

homeland she would like to be able to communicate with his people in their own language. WINE CONNOISSEUR Dr Agnese Rizvi hails from Cuneo, North Italy, where some of the best wines are made — wines like sparkling white Spumante and Barolo, a heavy still red. “A good bottle of Barolo costs from $2O to $3O a bottle in Italy, Agnese Rizi said. “The cork should be drawn from the bottle 24 hours before use and it should be kept at a temperature of between 18 to 22 degrees Centigrade." Barolo is a luxury line even for Italians, most of whom drink as much wine as New Zealanders drink tea.

“Every Italian home has a large bottle of wine on the table for lunch and dinner,” she said. “In the countryside, where people get up early and work outside, they drink wine with a cooked breakfast to set them up for the day. Those wines would be still reds, such as Barbera or Dolcetto.” When she was asked her opinion of New Zealand wines it came as a pleasant surprise to hear her, a con-

noisseur, say she considered the few she had tried were very good. “I particularly like a Muscato sparkling white and one of your burgundies is not bad either,” she added. "No New Zealand wine has given me stomach yet.”

A fair enough test, she implied. Dr Rizvi prefers “good milk” to cheap wines, whether she is in New Zealand or Britain. She never takes more than two glasses of wine with a meal and does not drink any other form of alcohol. But she frequently uses wine or cognac to give flavour to a dish when cooking — one of her hobbies. WIDE INTERESTS Her interests extend far beyond languages, food and wines, however. She has an expert eye for antique furniture and silver, has a deep; appreciation of classical I music and would love to own a collection of good paintings.

“But I cannot afford the paintings I like so I spent as much time as I could at the National Gallery in London while I was there — most lunch hours after I had eaten my sandwiches,” she said. She is a trained choral singer and has already been accepted for the Royal Musical Society’s choir. Agnese Rizvi does not waste time in connecting with her interests wherever she may be. She has the Italian zest for living. Unlike most North Italian girls, Agnese has travelled widely.

“Where I come from, the people are so attached to the area they seem to think that it is the world,” she said. “And it is very beautiful country.” Cuneo province is surrounded by mountains and lakes. From the capital city of the same name it is only half an hour’s drive to ski-fields and one hour to the seaside. (New Zealand

reminds her of home). Her curiosity to see what was on the other side of the Italian-French border began when she was a child. Later she was sent to France for part of her education and spent most summers there attending seminars on literature, dancing or painting. Though Dr Rizvi's passion for travel may have set her apart from friends back home, she shares their absorbing interest in fashion. Her favourite designers are the big names, such as Pucci and Gucci of Florence and Giordani of Rome. And likei most smart Italians, she buys only a few clothes, but! of the best quality she can afford — never anything! “ultra” that will date.

I “A year ago my mother | bought me a Pucci coat in I grey double-faced wool with la black fox fur collar,” she .said, “and I shall probably wear it for 10 years.” In the meantime she is Taking a dressmaking course so that she can make her own clothes, if need be.