Letter to the Editor of the New York Times Author: Robert A. Baron Subject: Nouveaux riches Regarding: New York Ttimes, 8/7/98, p. A1 Todi Journal; For a Happy Few, To the Editor: How paradoxical it is that Barbara Rose finds so much disdain for the "nouveaux riches who think they can use their money to dip in and out of [the] Renaissance World" of Todi (article Friday, August 7, 1998), when that very world was largely created by the extrovert self-important nouveau riche families of the15th and 16th centuries. Published: No Previous
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Letter Hits from 10/22/2000 to 3/30/2001 = 092 Todi Journal; For a Happy Few, the Hamptons With Castles By ALESSANDRA STANLEY Amid rolling hills, olive groves and sunflower fields, only the glint of aquamarine swimming pools hints that this ancient countryside, long ruled by princes and Popes, has new landlords. All around the medieval city of Todi, wealthy Americans have lovingly restored 14th-century fortresses, abbeys and farmhouses, and added luxury bathrooms, swimming pools and tennis courts. Theirs is a search for beauty, isolation and upper-class comfort. The province of Umbria, where Todi is located, is not just rivaling neighboring Tuscany as Italy's most alluring and expensive summer retreat. For America's Happy Few, Todi is becoming as fashionable as Martha's Vineyard or the Hamptons. At least, that is what some longtime expatriates fear. ''I don't want this place to be the East Hampton of Europe,'' said Barbara Rose, an art historian who began restoring her rustic stone farmhouse in the Todi countryside in 1972. She described herself as almost living under house arrest in the high season. ''I never go into Todi in the summer,'' she said. ''I loathe tourism and all the nouveaux riches who think they can use their money to dip in and out of Renaissance World.'' ... Previous
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