1855
Alphonse Grandmont & Bramine Hubrecht
Bramine and Alphonse spent about twenty years in Taormina in their beautiful and famous “Villa Roccabella” in Taormina, where they hosted dozens of their friends every year, including many members of the European cultural elite of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“VillaFontanaVecchia”was used as a guesthouse for some of their friends and the Cacopardo Family (Louisa’s family) would be on site to help and assist each guest.
Then, in 1908, the Messina earthquake, followed immediately after by the death of Alphonse Grandmont in 1909, marked the end of this “Belle Époque”.
Bramine Hubrecht died a few years later, in 1913.
Marie Hubrecht
Bramine Hubrecht’s sister, traveller, artist and advocate for women’s rights.
1907-08 & 1910-11
Earl and Achsah Brewster
Both were American painters and devoted Buddhists.
In the 1920s, they became friends with the artists and writers present in Capri at the time. Here they rented the fantastic “Villa Quattro Venti” for a few years and in 1921 they met D.H. Lawrence and Frieda in Capri . When talking they discovered a great coincidence that they too had lived and rented “Villa Fontana Vecchia” years earlier in 1907 and then in 1910.
1920-1922
David Herbert Lawrence & Baroness Frieda von Richthofen
They both adored the house and its peaceful surroundings.
While staying here, Lawrence wrote extensively, translating
Giovanni Verga, he starts writing “The lover of Lady Chatterly” and and finishes “The Lost Girl” “Sea and Sardinia”. He also writes and completes “The Captains doll”, “The Fox”, The Ladybird”,“England, My England”.
Various poems were written too, one being the “The Snake”
which was seen in the garden of “Villa Fontana Vecchia”.
Friends that visited whilst here: Maurice Magnus, Francis and
Jessica Brett Young (writers), Jan Juta (artist), Renè Hansard
(writer), Gilbert Cannan (writer) , Mary Cannan (actress), Alain
Insole (writer &artist).
1948-49
Aubrey Menen (novelist and travel writer)
He lived a considerable amount of time in Italy (30 years)
in which a few in Taormina.
His mediterranean influence can be seen in several novels including “The Stumbling Stone”, “The Backward Bride” and “The Duke of Gallodoro”.
Aubrey Menen wrote “The Ramayana as Told by Aubrey Menen” (1954) in response to the popular interest in Indology, and it became a bestseller in the USA.
1950-51
Truman Capote (Writer) Jack Dunphy (Writer ) Donald Windman (Writer
Truman Capote and Jack Dunphy lived happy times at the house, Truman quotes that they were some of his fondest memories. Renting Fontana Vecchia for 50$ a month.
Truman Capote wrote several short stories and book during his stay, “ The Grass Harp”. Among his mini stories from this period are “Another Day in Paradise”, “Fontana Vecchia”, and “Kelly”.
Capote was also close friends with Donald Windham who was frequent visitor of “ Villa Fontana Vecchia”, and Tennessee Williams, Frank Merlo, further enriching there creative environment in Taormina .
Friends who visited Capote & Dunphy in 1950
1951-1952
Pearl Kazin
Guest of T.Capote for 3 months.
Pearl Kazin was a remarkable figure in the literary scene of New York City during the second half of ‘900, a transformative era for women’s roles in the workforce.
Her relationship with Welsh poet Dylan Thomas represented a significant chapter in her life. Their correspondence, reveals a deep emotional bond, portraying Pearl Kazin as a literary muse and highlighting her impact on his creative work.
1951-68
Howard Agg
Works for BBC , Playwriter and Theatre Critic.
Howard Agg lived for 17 years at Vila Lawrence.
He was a playwright, adaptor and author who held various roles in particular BBC radio. Whilst in Taormina he wrote “Cypress in Sicily”, a book on his reflections on Taormina and his close friendship with his landlord, Ciccio Cacopardo.
