COUNTS PEROZZI

BRAVE AND FARSIGHTED MAYOR

«I am Count Giuseppe Perozzi, Domenico Perozzi's eldest son. My father is the one who commissions the construction of this hunting shed. I fall in love with a noblewoman, Lavinia Aurispa, and I marry her against my father's will. I am then forced to give up the birthright and I inherit this summer residence, leaving to my younger brothers the properties of Filottrano and Ancona. I am named mayor of Macerata in hard times for the town: the clashes between the Austrian army and King Murat’s Neapolitan army lead to a war for Italian unification in 1815. My wife urges me to issue a proclamation in favor of Murat and Italian independence. However, the war ends with a bloody defeat for the King's army at the Battle of Tolentino, on the 3rd of May 1815. With firmness and foresight, I manage to avoid the sacking of Macerata by the defeated army. The support I give Murat costs me long persecution by the Austrian government that settles in Macerata, but this does not affect my patriotic ideals.».

WIFE AND MOTHER OF PATRIOTS

«I am Countess Lavinia Aurispa and I am said to be “wife and mother of patriots”. With good reason, I would say. I am an assertive and fighting woman and I inherit my liberal soul from my father, Pirro Aurispa. Count Giuseppe Perozzi marries me in 1794, despite the strong opposition of his father Domenico, who makes him forgo his birthright. Thus, we settle for inheriting Perozzi’s second family home and we move here. I educate my family on the ideals of patriotism. When they elect my husband as mayor of Macerata, I always support him in his public duties. We firmly advocate for Carbonari’s liberal ideals and take part in the revolutionary uprising of 1820-21. Villa Quiete still houses a bas-relief sculpture that portrays me in profile.».

ACTIVIST AND REVOLUTIONARY PATRIOT

«I am Count Ettore Perozzi, Giuseppe Perozzi and Lavinia Aurispa’s third son. I graduate in medicine and I practice this profession with zeal and passion. I inherit strong patriotic activism from my parents and I take part in the uprisings of 1820 and 1830. Persecuted by the papal army, I move to France with my brother Emilio and I manage to come back only when Pope Pio IX, born in the Marche region, grants us the general amnesty. My liberal spirit also drives me in the uprisings of 1848-49 for independence from the Papal States, which bring Garibaldi's army to Macerata. I marry Rita Cini and we move to Florence, where I continue to fight for Italian unification and maintain correspondence with N. Bixio and M. D'Azeglio. Among my brothers, I am the first to have sons, therefore I inherit this villa in Montecassiano, where I move after the liberation of the Marche region in 1860. I renovate this estate, making it an elegant country mansion. In honour of my wife, a graceful enlightened harpist, the halls of my house become a salon where intellectuals, musicians and artists meet. They elect me mayor of Montecassiano. During Garibaldi's campaigns of 1866-67, I do my best to help many families who find themselves in a state of poverty, after their men left as volunteers for Garibaldi's army».

GRACEFUL AND CULTURED HARPIST

«I am Countess Rita Cini. I come from a family of illustrious Roman lawyers and I move to the Marche region after marrying Count Ettore Perozzi. I deeply love culture, art and music.
I dabble in playing the harp, thanks to the teachings of Marianna Creti de Rocchis. I am awarded the title of honourary member of the Philarmonic Society of Florence and the Dramatic Society of Macerata. I am grateful for the numerous harp compositions dedicated to me by Gioachino Rossini, Livio Liviabella, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Pompeo Azzolini, Pietro Mattioli Alessandrini.
This villa houses the official copy of "Allegretto", a sonnet composed for me by Rossini in 1853. I devote myself to composing musical scores and arrangements for my husband and my children Elena, Gustavo and Adolfo. I love to welcome enlightened minds, musicians and scholars into the halls of my mansion. I keep with gratitude many dedications that I receive from illustrious intellectuals, including N. Bixio and M. D'Azeglio».

Let's hear Gioacchino Rossini's Sonetto played in Villa Quiete by celebrated harpist Emanuela Battigelli.

BENEFACTOR TO HIS PEOPLE

«I am Gustavo Perozzi, Counts Ettore and Rita’s second-born. Together with my brother Adolfo, I study in the military colleges of Florence and Turin and I advocate for Mazzini's liberal ideals. In 1861, I have the honour of receiving a letter from Garibaldi who encourages me to cultivate the military value. In 1888, I move to my father's villa in Montecassiano and start a series of renovations that turn it into a large modern farm. As mayor of Montecassiano, I establish a relationship of deep esteem with my fellow citizens and I work hard for the growth of my village and the proper functioning of its public bodies. Montecassiano is finally equipped with a municipal aqueduct. I firmly believe that "school makes men" and I am committed to making it accessible to children of any social background. As mayor of Macerata and then President of the Province, I continue to support funding for agriculture and public works. In the post-war years, when I realise that the mutilated and fighters are not granted the right support, I feel betrayed by the high ideals in which I believe. I begin to be more conservative and I approach the ideals of Fascism.
After my brother’s early death, I take care of his wife Elena Cremona and his children. At a late age, I get married to Adele Tanci, a woman of rare sensitivity and kindness, however from our union no heirs are born».