Cipriano Nesti was a great example of the qualities that make Italy tick: a true sense of social responsibility without ever counting the cost, a remarkable patience and tolerance towards others and justly Christian virtues. I have known Cipriano for close on twelve years and news of his death two days ago came all the more as a shock.
(Cipriano in uniform as a volunteer of the Misericordia of Borgo a Mozzano)
I first met Cipriano when I joined a local choir, originally known as the ‘Schola Cantorum Controniensis’ but later renamed as the more manageable ‘Cantores Lucenses’. The choir specialized in Gregorian chant although its repertoire included more modern pieces on occasions. The object of the choir was to provide music for local church services and, indeed, on major feasts it did just this but it also extended its singing to other churches in the area and farther afield to Lucca and Viareggio.
(The Cantores Lucenses choir in 2006. Cipriano is the fourth from the right in the last photo, behind Lucca Cathedral’s organist, Giulia Biagetti)
The choir reached such a standard that, in 2007, it obtained the Thomas Dempster prize awarded by the UNESCO association of Pisa. (Incidentally the same prize was won last year by Virgilio Contrucci the chamberlain of the Vicaria di Val di Lima, our local mediaeval enactment group, who also won the national crossbow competition and fire their famous cannon to celebrate significant events occurring in Bagni di Lucca).
Cipriano was well-versed in music and originally considered a career in that field. Indeed, he directed his own choir at Fornoli with great competence. I also remember various occasions when Cipriano tactfully had to correct our own choirmaster over some misreading of the score or some ill-judged tempo markings.
Cipriano’s humanity spread over into his main work which was that of driving instructor at Nadia’s school in Fornoli. Here, too, I received valuable hints from him regarding the conversion of my UK license and driving experience into something more suitable for Italian road-quirks.
From 2010 Cipriano added another string to his bow when he became a volunteer of the Misericordia at Borgo a Mozzano. The Misericordia is the Italian ambulance and emergency service, almost completely run by volunteers and supported by voluntary donations.
Cipriano as choirmaster, as driving instructor and as member of the Misericordia demonstrated to all those who worked with him the virtues of forbearance and serenity. I never ever remember him losing his patience once and he faced other people’s mistakes and insistences with fortitude and the best of humour.
I cannot believe he is gone into a different world from ours. It is such a shock. But he will be ever with us when we sing, when we tackle Italian driving habits and when we need hospital assistance. Addio caro Cipriano!
Cirpiano’s funeral is today, 18th January, at 3 pm at Fornoli church.
