Saturday, August 26, 2006

Book: "The Italian American Theatre -1746- 1899 - Just Released

The ANNOTICO Report

The Italian-American Immigrant Theatre of New York City: 1746-1899 chronicles all phases of entertainment in which Italians participated, from circus acts to street musicians, opera, melodrama, puppetry and vaudeville extensively in 408 pages.

The theatre that emerged in those early days speaks of a community striving to survive emotionally in unknown territory, expressing in their skits, plays, songs, the things they loved best; using humor, laughter and optimism to lighten the uncertainties of the new land, the new life they had chosen  This work will insure that the history of what is surely one of the most interesting facets of the Italian American experience  the Italian-American immigrant theatre.

The principals of this theatre, such as Lorenzo Da Ponte, Adelina Patti, Guglielmo Ricciardi and Antonio Maiori are brought to life with personal and anecdotal stories.

 

                                                 THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN IMMIGRANT THEATRE
OFNEW YORK CITY: 1746-1899
by EmeliseAleandri

                                                                                                                                               

This work of the history of the Italian language theatre in America should be in every library - Mario Fratti

LEWISTON, NEW YORK  Dr. Emelise Aleandri, Artistic Director of Frizzi & Lazzi The Olde Time Italian-American Musical Theatre Company, which recreates 19th century immigrant entertainments, and a board member of the Medici Foundation, has published The Italian-American Immigrant Theatre of New York City: 1746-1899.

                The book chronicles all phases of entertainment in which Italians participated, from circus acts to street musicians, opera, melodrama, puppetry and vaudeville. 

                According to Professor Mario Fratti of The City University of New York, This work of the history of the Italian language theatre in America should be in every library.   Anne Paolucci, Professor Emerita of St. Johns University, says that this ambitious work will insure that the history of what is surely one of the most interesting facets of the Italian American experience the Italian-American immigrant theatre  will not go unrecorded.

                Further details about Dr. Aleandris book and all Edwin Mellen Press books, such as abstracts, reviews, and other information, can be accessed at www.mellenpress.com.

    This book is a comprehensive and detailed study of the Italian immigrant theatre of New York City from 1746 to 1899. It is chronologically and geographically detailed, along with details about the actors and principals of that theatre. The author provides factual, personal and anecdotal stories about the principals of this theatre, such as Lorenzo Da Ponte, Adelina Patti, Guglielmo Ricciardi and Antonio Maiori. Through these details, the book explains why theatre was so important to the Italian immigrant population, suggesting that, for one thing, life among the immigrants was itself dramatic, if not theatrical. With its thoroughness and emphasis on the humanness of Italian immigrant society clearly conveyed, this book will be an important contribution to scholarship.

      Dr. Emelise Aleandris book is an excellent example of the drive to recapture, to return to what was left behind even as we move to higher ground. She has recorded for us one aspect of those rites of passage every immigrant, every Italian-American has gone
through. The theatre that emerged in those early days speaks of a community striving to survive emotionally in unknown territory, expressing in their skits, plays, songs, the things they loved best; using humor, laughter and optimism to lighten the uncertainties of the new land, the new life they had chosen  This ambitious work will insure that the history of what is surely one of the most interesting facets of the Italian American experience  the Italian-American immigrant theatre  will not go unrecorded.  (from the Preface) Anne Paolucci, Professor Emerita, ! St. Johns University

    This work of the history of the Italian language theatre in America should be in every library. This study is an exciting one, the only one ever to be published on the progress of the Italian-American immigrant theatre, decade by documented decade from pre-revolutionary times until the theatres temporary demise by the 1960s. It is only one result of Dr. Aleandris continuing pursuit of information in order to reconstruct the history of the existence of this ethnic theatre   Professor Mario Fratti, The City University of New York

    I have known and admired Dr. Aleandri for many years. From our first acquaintance, it was evident that she had a passion for Italian-American theatre. Her academic pursuits have dealt with these materials and a good part of her post-doctoral life has been devoted to this subject. I would wager that no one else knows the material so deeply and so widely as she does. What she has discovered and experienced should most certainly be preserved for future generations of scholars and practitioners.  Vera Mowry Roberts, Professor Emerita, Hunter College

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Preface by Dr. Anne Paolucci
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Colonial Times and the Era of Da Ponte 1746-1839
2. Variety Theatre and Music at Mid-Century 1840-1859
3. Transitions  Transients to Residents 1860-1879
4. Community Theatre and Entertainments 1880-1899
5. La Compagnia Comico-Drammatica Italiana 1889-1894
6. La Compagnia Comico-Drammatica Italiana Maiori e Rapone 1890-1899
7. La Compagnia Napoletana of Francesco Ricciardi and Minor Companies 1880-1899
8. Italian Vaudeville and the Caffe Concerto 1880-1899
Conclusion
Appendices

    I - Italian Members of the Major 19th Century Opera Companies in New York City

    II - Repertoire of the Major 19th Century Italian Opera Companies in New York City

    III - 19th Century Italian-American Social Organizations

    IV - Little Italy at the Turn of the Century
Notes
Bibliography
Index


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Emelise Aleandri is the Artistic Director of Frizzi & Lazzi The Olde Time Italian-American Musical Theatre Company (www.FrizziLazzi.com), which recreates 19th century immigrant entertainments. She also leads tours of Manhattan's Little Italy.  Dr. Aleandri earned her Ph.D. from The City University of New York and has been published extensively. She was the year 2001 winner of the Elena Cornaro Award from the Order Sons of Italy in America and is a member of the Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge. She also received the Leone de San Marco and the New York State Woman of Distinction Awards for her work in Italian-American culture. A theatre, TV and film actress, she was featured in the Spike Lee films Crooklyn and Summer of Sam and starred as the famous 19th century Italian actress, Eleonora Duse&! nbsp;in Penguins and Peacocks. She has principal roles in the Walnut Street Theatre production of Italian Funerals and other Festive Occasions and in the Off-Broadway production of Sweatshop.  She was the original Producer/Host of Italics: The Italian-American Magazine, a nationally-aired cable TV show. She has produced three documentaries: Teatro, Festa and Circo Rois.

 

The Edwin Mellen Press           See special discount offers below.

Order Form for THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN IMMIGRANT THEATRE OF NEW YORK CITY: 1746-1899  by Emelise Aleandri  ISBN 0-7734-5692-9 ; 408pp.

Individuals: Order this book for $39.95 using your Mastercard, Visa or American Express, and by phone: U.S./Canada: (716) 754-2788. Prepaid. Non-returnable.
Journals: Use your journal letterhead or email to receive a FREE review copy.


Name:____________________________

Shipping address: ___________________

                                   _______________________

                                   _______________________

                           
Daytime Phone Number (for shipping reasons):

(____)________________________
To charge by Mastercard, Visa or American Express, please provide the following information.
Name on credit card:
Number:________________________________

Expiration:
Signature (required):_______________________
Is shipping address same as billing address for this card?

 ____ Yes ____ No
If no, please provide billing address:
Billing address:      ________________________

                             ________________________

                             ________________________

$ ____ Price
+ FREE Shipping & handling NORTH AMERICA ONLY
$5 PER BOOK ALL OTHER LOCATIONS
$ ____ Taxable Subtotal
$+ ____ Tax/GST

(NY residents must include sales tax. If paying in Canadian funds, add 7% GST)
Total: $ ________

(If paying by check/money order, make out check for this amount)
Mail to: The Edwin Mellen Press
Order Fulfillment Dept.

PO Box 450

Lewiston, NY 14092-0450
To order by e-mail: sales@mellenpress.com
Tel:(716)754-2788; Fax:(716)754-1860
website: http://www.mellenpress.com/

Also available at Amazon.com

 

 

Dr. Emelise Aleandri, Artistic Director
Frizzi & Lazzi The Olde Time Italian-American Music & Theatre Company
140 Riverside Drive #1P NYC 10024-2605
212 769 8920; fax 212 769 2078; cell 917 821 1036
Website: http://www.FrizziLazzi.com
email: EAleandri@aol.com

CONTACT: Miss Mary Ellen Mayer

Marketing Manager

The Edwin Mellen Press

716-754-8566

August 24, 2006

 

The ANNOTICO Reports are Archived at:

Italia USA: http://www.ItaliaUSA.com (Formerly Italy at St Louis)

Annotico Email: annotico@earthlink.net