Christina Vella
Encyclopedia
Christina Vella is a writer, historian of modern Europe, and adjunct professor at Tulane University
in New Orleans.
Her first book, Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba, was entered for the Pulitzer Prize
and the National Book Award
. It was published by Louisiana State University Press
in 1997 and was chosen as one of the best books of the year by the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly
, and The Times-Picayune. It chronicles the life and career of Micaela Almonester, the woman responsible for building the Embassy of the United States in Paris
and the Pontalba Buildings
in New Orleans. In 2003, Intimate Enemies was adapted by Thea Musgrave
as the opera Pontalba, which premiered in New Orleans in October of that year.
Vella's later books include The Hitler Kiss: A Memoir of the Czech Resistance (2002), co-authored with Radomir Luza, and Indecent Secrets (2006), a history of the infamous Murri murder trial which took place in Italy in 1905.
Vella received her Ph.D. in European and U.S. history from Tulane University in New Orleans. A professor of history for over twenty years, she now devotes most of her time to writing and lecturing. She frequently serves as a consultant and writer for the U.S. Department of State.
She is the recipient of the 2010 Preservation Award from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana.
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in New Orleans.
Her first book, Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba, was entered for the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
and the National Book Award
National Book Award
The National Book Awards are a set of American literary awards. Started in 1950, the Awards are presented annually to American authors for literature published in the current year. In 1989 the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization which now oversees and manages the National Book...
. It was published by Louisiana State University Press
Louisiana State University Press
The Louisiana State University Press is a nonprofit book publisher and an academic unit of Louisiana State University. Founded in 1935, the press publishes scholarly, general interest, and regional books as part of the university’s mission to disseminate knowledge and culture...
in 1997 and was chosen as one of the best books of the year by the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
, and The Times-Picayune. It chronicles the life and career of Micaela Almonester, the woman responsible for building the Embassy of the United States in Paris
Embassy of the United States in Paris
The Embassy of the United States in Paris, France, is the United States oldest diplomatic mission. Benjamin Franklin and some of the other Founding Fathers were the earliest United States Ambassadors to France.It is located at 2 avenue Gabriel, on the northwest corner of the Place de la Concorde,...
and the Pontalba Buildings
Pontalba Buildings
The Pontalba Buildings form two sides of Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.These are matching red-brick block long 4‑story buildings built in the 1840s by the Baroness Micaela Almonester Pontalba...
in New Orleans. In 2003, Intimate Enemies was adapted by Thea Musgrave
Thea Musgrave
Thea Musgrave CBE is a Scottish composer of opera and classical music.-Biography:Born in Barnton, Edinburgh, Thea Musgrave studied at the University of Edinburgh and in Paris as a pupil of Nadia Boulanger...
as the opera Pontalba, which premiered in New Orleans in October of that year.
Vella's later books include The Hitler Kiss: A Memoir of the Czech Resistance (2002), co-authored with Radomir Luza, and Indecent Secrets (2006), a history of the infamous Murri murder trial which took place in Italy in 1905.
Vella received her Ph.D. in European and U.S. history from Tulane University in New Orleans. A professor of history for over twenty years, she now devotes most of her time to writing and lecturing. She frequently serves as a consultant and writer for the U.S. Department of State.
She is the recipient of the 2010 Preservation Award from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana.