Latin America: Comeback

Next to Corcovado Mountain (topped by a giant, illuminated Christ in concrete), the most spectacular sight in Rio is busty, bediamonded Gabriella Besanzoni Lage, an ex-opera singer. Last week these two spectacles got together.

Thirty years ago Italian-born Gabriella Besanzoni was one of the world’s topflight Carmens (La Scala). Then she married Brazil’s millionaire banker and industrialist. Henrique Lage. In Rio, Madame Lage held sway at smart soirees, horsed her way into Brazilian society’s front ranks.

Of late, war’s austerity and Senhor Lage’s death had dimmed hei glory. Last week, weary of obscurity, Gabriella Besanzoni announced that, because she was grateful to God, she would have Mass said on the pinnacle of Corcovado Mountain.

Beckoned by special advertisements in Rio’s newspapers, 150 relatives, friends and gawkers boarded a special train which Gabriella had provided. On Corcovado’s peak, while the crowd waited an hour for Gabriella to arrive (by limousine), a vendor did a bang-up business in sandwiches and bananas. Then the cloud curtain parted. A brilliant sun laid Rio bare and dazzling, 2,300 ft. below. Madame Lage strode on stage. Beneath the statue of Christ the Redeemer, a priest intoned a short service. In 15 minutes, it was all over.

Madame Lage did not explain what she had been so grateful for.