STEVETHEATER


Well, here it is... JP finally talks about The Count!

http://www.portalgotico.com/2009/06/entrevista-john-petrucci-dos-dream.html

PG - Can you tell us something about the Count of Tuscany?

Petrucci - Yeah, that's another example of a story that I shared, you know, something that happened to me that I would tell my friends and family but I never really wrote about it. Yeah, it's sort of hard to follow the story but it's basically a few years ago when Dream Theater were playing in Florence or something and there was my friend who is my guitar tech, he's also wine importer, so he wanted to visit a winery in Tuscany, so he asked me if I wanted to come along.

So, yeah, the guy who owned the winery is a count, he wasn´t the count of Tuscany, he is a count of something, anyway he brought us to this winery, it was a very old castle in the hills of Italy, it was very bizarre, you know just really weird stories the guy told, you know, like a mummified saint and a chapel, very strange and weird, I thought it would be great to tell that story, probably make a movie of it!

So, there you have it...

THE END

Somehow I imagine this JP with the voice of Adam02 as in...

"I will rip out your heart and feed it....to the dragons"

toky_world

STEVETHEATER


Well, here it is... JP finally talks about The Count!

http://www.portalgotico.com/2009/06/entrevista-john-petrucci-dos-dream.html

PG - Can you tell us something about the Count of Tuscany?

Petrucci - Yeah, that's another example of a story that I shared, you know, something that happened to me that I would tell my friends and family but I never really wrote about it. Yeah, it's sort of hard to follow the story but it's basically a few years ago when Dream Theater were playing in Florence or something and there was my friend who is my guitar tech, he's also wine importer, so he wanted to visit a winery in Tuscany, so he asked me if I wanted to come along.

So, yeah, the guy who owned the winery is a count, he wasn´t the count of Tuscany, he is a count of something, anyway he brought us to this winery, it was a very old castle in the hills of Italy, it was very bizarre, you know just really weird stories the guy told, you know, like a mummified saint and a chapel, very strange and weird, I thought it would be great to tell that story, probably make a movie of it!

So, there you have it...

THE END

Somehow I imagine this JP with the voice of Adam02 as in...

"I will rip out your heart and feed it....to the dragons"

This is fucking hilarious... but I just can't get it out of my head: GET INTO MAH CAHR!!

Kinda reminds me of the latest DVD from Lamb of God:

Bassplayer: "Ya liek mah fucking cahr?"
While he's driving in a muscle car... from a friend of his.. oh well, long story.

"It's second hand smoking I'm worried about; my second hand which always has a cigarette in it!"-Lerxst

The intro is gorgeous.  I trust you've listened to the rest by now.  This is undoubtedly one of the best compostions I've ever enjoyed, and I'm not a musical neophyte.
The denoument beginning with JP's haunting lyrical reiteration over JR's cathedralesque foundation to the acoustic intro to JL's compressed soliliquy left me in tears and shaking my head.  And when the Count dispells JP's fears, well, tears and smiles aren't a bad combination.  Leave it to these guys...
 

Hazboy


The intro is gorgeous.  I trust you've listened to the rest by now.  This is undoubtedly one of the best compostions I've ever enjoyed, and I'm not a musical neophyte.
The denoument beginning with JP's haunting lyrical reiteration over JR's cathedralesque foundation to the acoustic intro to JL's compressed soliliquy left me in tears and shaking my head.  And when the Count dispells JP's fears, well, tears and smiles aren't a bad combination.  Leave it to these guys...
 

do you write for pitchfork 

Merquise,  Reading the lyrics also reminded me of Poe's 'Cask of Amontillado' which I had read back in 6th grade.  A horrible circumstance for a young person to assimilate!  But JP did spare us of the torch thrown into the walled-in tomb, the jester's costume's bells jingling while the last bricks were mortared into place. 
I'm pretty sure JP is familiar with Poe, as he has also read H.P. Lovecraft as is evidenced by The Dark Eternal Night from Systematic Chaos. 
It's no wonder he got creeped out! 
   Very cool...

Hi, I-90,
The only pitchfork I know of is the tool that one uses to well, pitch hay?
Turn me on here - if I can cop a second online job writing for...clue me in, man.

PITCHFORK:




fuckin wankers.....
(hey I can have an opinion can't I?)

Hazboy


Hi, I-90,
The only pitchfork I know of is the tool that one uses to well, pitch hay?
Turn me on here - if I can cop a second online job writing for...clue me in, man.

pitchfork.com

Hey Drewidian!
  Talk to us wankers!  That's Brit for a tos violation, but got it.
You readin' 'The Boys' - Ennis & Robertson - Dynamite Comics?  If ya' ain't then take my word & check it out.
  Reply

Thanks I-90,  I'll check it out.

Hey Drewidian! Talk to us wankers! That's Brit for a tos violation, but got it. You readin' 'The Boys' - Ennis & Robertson - Dynamite Comics? If ya' ain't then take my word & check it out. Reply

sir, I meant that for no one in particular - especially not of this forum - but just the reputation I have gleaned from not just my own personal reading experiences.....and given the sheer volume of pundits and shakers- there's a BIG chance I could in no way have come across anything you may have respectably put sincere integrity and work into.....

no harm, man......but yea, apples to oranges. 
peace and cheers

We're good.  Apples & oranges,  Abrahms  & Panzers...District 9?
  That looks like a vintage Strat you'r weilding.  Nice axe!
My baby is a '73 Fender J-Bass.
 Nice to meet ya'

Hazboy


We're good.  Apples & oranges,  Abrahms  & Panzers...District 9?
  That looks like a vintage Strat you'r weilding.  Nice axe!
My baby is a '73 Fender J-Bass.
 Nice to meet ya'

Nice to meet ya'

rhiddle me a reply!
actually on second thought, talk to me like I'm 5 b/c in that rebut is a part of my name and I'm borderline Paranoid PD....
you got me back, ok!

where's that edit button..... ^trashable, I'm/we're good

dci1812


There has been a lot of speculation here regarding who the Count could be based on.  Much of the speculation has centered on Pietro Pacciani.  If you do a little research, you will find that Pacciani was NOTHING like the person described in TCOT.  He was a drunken, oafish, uneducated bully.  Thomas Harris was following the case of the Monster of Florence and based parts of Hannibal Lecter's character from that case.  He did NOT base Hannibal Lecter on Pertro Pacciani.  There has also been a fair amount of (unfair, I think) critisism of JP's reaction to what he experienced in Tuscany.  Listed below is a link to what is BY FAR the most exhaustive (English) account of the ongoing mystery behind the Monster of Florence.  It addresses both matters here.  If you acquaint yourself with the contents of this article, it is easy to see: 1) Pacciani was - very likely - falsely accused, and 2) how easily it would have been for JP to have been scared by considering the true facts of the case.  Take close note of the man described only as "The Sardonian", and also of a very suspicious "Grande Ville" he and other suspicious persons of interest frequented (wine cellars and all).  Enjoy!!  http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200607/florence-murder

Intrigued by TCOT and such speculations about the Monster of Florence, I actually picked up Preston's book "The Monster of Florence" when I saw it in an airport bookstore.

The character that struck me as most familiar was Prince Roberto Corsini.  He was a suspect at one time until the murders continued after he himself was murdered in 1984.

According to the Preston book, Corsini's ancestors included a Pope (Clement XII).
Other references to Catholic royalty in the Corsini family can be found at http://www.tastedonline.com/wine-magazine/edition-4/le-corti-and-the-corsini-family_436.html and include bishops, cardinals, and a SAINT - Andrea di Niccolò, canonized in 1624 by Pope Urban VIII.

Also found at http://www.tastedonline.com/wine-magazine/edition-4/le-corti-and-the-corsini-family_436.html are biographies of the two currently living scions of the Corsini family: 
1. Principe Don Filippo Corsini (b.1937), described as a descendant of Conte (count) Palatino - Filippo Corsini (1334–1421) who was created count palatine by the emperor Charles IV - http://www.familyestatesintuscany.com/category/some-history/
2. Duccio Corsini (b.1964), son of Filippo and currently a prominent vintner and wine baron near Florence.

I propose that "The Count of Tuscany" is one of these two living Corsinis.  I'm leaning towards the old man, since Duccio seems to have no brothers.

Since Prince Roberto Corsini was probably not "The Monster of Florence", there could be a bit of creative exaggeration in the Count's story.  But nothing ruins good storytelling like strict adherence to fact.

My research was cursory, so this is not intended to be canon, but an invitation to discussion.

Weymolith

lennartbar


let me introduce....MAH BRUUTHAAAA




"maybe you recall a cannibal curator a character inspired my my brother´s life"

It puts the lotion on the skinnnnnnnn, oh wait that was from Joe Dirt

BRING IT!!!

Put the f@cking lotion in the basket!!!!

Ted Levine SOTL

ganpondorodf

Eon

thesleeper20

Sorry, but imo TCOT can hardly be described as having lyrics of substance, its simple, straightforward, linear and pretty naive storytelling. Compare it with other lyrics JP has written and you'll see what I mean.

Alright, lets see you do better... no? Didnt think so.

That's the stupidest Goddamn argument ever.  So we should never criticise anything unless we know that we could do better?  I've never seen a film made by Roger Ebert, so I guess he'd better stop being a film critic then.  I don't mind the lyrics of the song, personally, but that "I don't see you doing any better" argument really gets on my tits.

It's actually the SECOND stupidest argument ever.  The STUPIDEST argument ever is the "I don't like it therefore it is of low quality" argument.  No relation whatsoever.   I'm tired of these comments, "The lyrics aren't of the same quality as they used to be" just because they don't hit the mark for THAT PERSON.  Dude, you don't like it, fine, man up and say that, but don't suppose that because you don't care for it, that somehow JP is no longer creative or putting in the same effort or furthering his art.  Not your call, man. 
 
Back to your regular programming... ;)

ganpondorodf


That's the stupidest Goddamn argument ever.  So we should never criticise anything unless we know that we could do better?  I've never seen a film made by Roger Ebert, so I guess he'd better stop being a film critic then.  I don't mind the lyrics of the song, personally, but that "I don't see you doing any better" argument really gets on my tits.

Oh, and as an aside, Roger Ebert does have a screenwriting credit to his name:  "Beyond The Valley of the Dolls".  He was also involved (though I don't remember how) in a movie involving the Sex Pistols.
 
Anyway, the Roger Ebert-type "criticism" is different than "these lyrics suck, man!" criticism in just about every way.  I know we're on a band site (and a band that has made a career about defying the "critics" - both kinds) and it's convenient and hip to knock the critics, but there IS a difference.

MYSTERY SOLVED!!!

The count is: Count Niccoli Capponi.  He is a bearded, historian count who lives in the Tuscany area, and whose family is in the wine business.

He was a source of information for the Thomas Harris film "Hannibal", and is mentioned in the book.  He also makes an appearance in the movie as one of the panel members for Dr. Fell's (Lecter's) selection as curator of the CAPPONI Library.

More info at these websites:

http://www.music.iastate.edu/courses/471/capponi.htm

http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocid=2615

Looks like I was on the wrong path.  Nice work!

zhifmcd


That's what I don't get.  Musically the song is great, but as a storytelling device it doesn't quite work.  The protagonist appears to be in a perfectly ordinary situation, yet he fears for his life.  We never understand why.  There's no establishment of basis for this fear.  It's just like let's go for a ride, check out my house, check out my wine cellar.  Um, you thought what?  Uh, no, wasn't planning on killing you.  By the way, tell everyone about my brother and me, and how we didn't kill you and stuff.

I don't mean to mock the song--I do like it a lot.  Just doesn't hit home with me lyrically.  Maybe in time it will.

This is pretty much exactly how I feel - I feel like the lyrics, as a story, were somewhat forced into the music. But, I can't stop listening to it.

UPDATE / CORRECTION
 
After a little more research, here's some more info:
 
There are TWO brothers: Niccolo Capponi and Sebastiano Capponi.  BOTH of them are Counts living in the Tuscany area.  Niccolo is the beard-wearing, pipe-smoking historian who was a consultant on (and extra in) the Hannibal film.  Sebastiano runs the family estate and winery.
 
This all seems to fit together very nicely.  After reading the book "The Monster of Florence" by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi, it seems fairly clear that neither of them are the "Monster", but that they were both somewhat connected to the whole making of the Hannibal movie.
 
I am sure they both have some freaky stories regarding the  history of their family and their estates.

For all those interested, here is a picture of BOTH of the "Counts of Tuscany" at their winery.  Count Sebastiano Capponi is the younger brother in the blue shirt , and Count Niccolo Capponi is the older brother in the burgandy shirt.



If you want to see Count Niccolo Capponi in the Thomas Harris film "Hannibal", watch where Dr. Fell (Dr. Lecter) is giving his speech in the Capponi Library (right before killing Inspector Pazzi).  When Inspector Pazzi's phone rings and disturbs the presentation, you can see a cameo of Count Niccolo Capponi (sucking on his pipe, none-the-less) in the crowd.

Enjoy!

dci1812....

Amazing work! I have been intrigued by the meaning of that song since release.
I still don't see why JP would be fearing for his life though lol.

We need to get that picture printed and signed by JP.

My MySpace Page! < Click on those words for music, fun, joy, other superlatives, etc...

Haha oh god, it'd be amazing to hijack a meet and greet.

Like twenty people queue up holding pictures of the Count of Tuscany and put on distinguished accents when they talk to him, JP would shit himself. Possibly literally.

Get one of them to ask what his dinner plans are after the gig, too. Maybe invite him along for a little drive.

dci1812


MYSTERY SOLVED!!!
blah blah blah

More info at these websites:

http://www.music.iastate.edu/courses/471/capponi.htm

http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocid=2615

NOWHERE in those articles does it mention ANYTHING about a distinguished accent.
Just kidding- when I first bought this CD I listened to this song a thousand times and loved it, didn't think too much in to the story either- but then i read this thread and now I can never listen to the song seriously again!

Argh, LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!

Knowledge is power. Beat up a bully with your MATH!

Why is it that every time i hear "get into my car", i get a vision of Arnold Schwarzenegger?

I think it's pretty clear by now that this monster epic song needs new lyrics to be fully appreciated... If Bearman won't, who's up for the challenge?

This is fuckin badass, man! We always needed this shit in our music! - Mike Portnoy, about TDEN lyrics

Epitaph04

Sirens_Of_Titan


Quick Count of Tuscany question:

Does anyone else get the crap scared out of them when this song ends because Stargazer from the covers cd comes on really loud as the next song in your music library? Seriously this happens every time for me

^^^

That happened to me a lot with the end of To Live is To Die off of AJFA...

^^ That's one of my Top 10 Metallica moments.

My name is DOOM, and I approve this message.