Barili, Alfredo - Social Networks and Archival Context (original) (raw)

Of the Barili children, Louise was the one to whom Adelina Patti wrote the most and even considered adopting. Louise Barili preserved her aunt's letters as well as those of other family members, such as her mother's, the Vezins. She also saved her own correspondence. The Barilis made several trips to Wales to visit Adelina at her castle Craig-Y-Nos, the last in 1914, which account for the letters written back by Louise to her family and friends.

From the description of Alfredo Barili family letters, 1836-1959 (bulk 1890-1919). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 38475702

Alfredo Barili was born in Italy in 1854, the son and grandson of musicians, and reared in New York near his grandmother Catalina Patti. He made his musical debut at eight and studied in the U.S., France, and Germany, where he met his future wife, Emily Vezin, also a musician. They married in 1877 and soon moved to Atlanta to escape the effect of the harsh Northern winters on Alfredo's health.

Initially they were employed by the Atlanta Female Institute (ca. 1880), then the Washington Seminary, and finally they opened the Barili School of Music in their home. Alfredo, his wife, and daughter Louise Barili (b. 1880) all taught music. Alfredo composed, the "Cradle Song" being the most famous of his pieces; organized musical groups, such as the Polyhymnia Club, a women's chorus; and directed visiting orchestras.

The Barilis had two other children, Viola (b. 1882), a mime and elocutionist, and Alfredo II (b. 1887), an architect. In their later years the Barilis lived in Midtown on West Fifth Street and, beginning in 1909, at 167 Myrtle Avenue. Mr. Barili was killed by a bus in 1935.

Alfredo Barili's father was Ettore Barili, an elder half brother of Adelina Patti (1843-1919), the opera singer, who lived near him when she was young and helped care for the infant Alfredo. Despite her many close relatives, Ms. Patti remained close to Alfredo's family and had them to stay with her at her Welsh castle, Craig-Y-Nos, several times in the early 20th century.

Emily Vezin (1856-1940) was born in Philadelphia to Charles and Lina K. Vezin, German musicians. Charles was the American consul to Germany. Emily's brothers, Charles and Frederick, became artists, and some of their work and letters are in the collection. The Vezins left behind many relatives in Germany, particularly Charles' sister Louise's family, the Hasenclevers.

From the description of Alfredo Barili family papers, 1836-1959 (bulk 1880-1920). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 122560959

Archival Resources

Bibliographic and Digital Archival Resources