L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 7 House of Italy at Home in Our Lady of the Rosary Church Although the House of Italy is awaiting word as to when t h e y c a n r e s u m e b u s i n e s s a t their original cottage in Balboa Park, it was business as usual in their temporary location in Our Lady of the Rosary where they held their monthly dinner and presentation meeting. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the Italian National A n t h e m , J i m C a r d i n a l e , President of the Sons of Italy gave a brief narrative of the church's history and explained that HOI could use the premises until they can return to Balboa Park. Members provided antipas- to, the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Italian bread, assorted cheeses, cured meats, and olives were served followed by catered pizzas of peperoncini, mushrooms and m o z z a r e l l a . G r a c i n g t h e i r monthly dinner was Grazietta Di Costanzo providing memo- rable Italian songs on her fisar- monica, while a slide show of Italian cities was projected on a wide screen for the members. "We will be taking a passeg- giata from the south of Italy, Sicily, to the north of Italy, M i l a n o , " a n n o u n c e d I t a l i a n C u l t u r a l C e n t e r P r e s i d e n t , Roberto Ruocco, who provided the slide show. "Anyone who would like to sing or dance, please be free to do so." The slides began with scenes f r o m S i c i l y , w h i l e D i Constanzo played Volare to the w e l c o m i n g a p p l a u s e o f t h e Sicilians in the room. She then played the Neapolitan favorite O' Sole Mio, to the pleasure and rousing singing of the organiza- tion's members from Naples. T h e m e m o r a b l e A r r i v e d e r c i drew applause as did Milano's O M i a B e l a M a d u n i n a f r o m almost everyone in the room. The music played, food was c o n s u m e d , a n d m e m b e r s o f HOI were inspired after Elaine Hinden showed her skilled bal- lerina moves. The young lady did several graceful pirouettes to the beat of the accordion, inspiring Cardinale and others to join in on the dance floor. "I started studying the accordion at the age of eight," r e c a l l e d D i C o s t a n z o , " m y father also played the accordion and that's where I got my inspi- r a t i o n , b e c a u s e h e w a s v e r y good at it." At the age of nine, she was part of the Venezuelan Philharmonic Orchestra, being the youngest accordion player in the group of seven perform- ers. "At age 13, I formed a jazz band with friends that were all sons and daughters of Italian I m m i g r a n t s l i v i n g i n Venezuela." Di Costanzo's parents were I t a l i a n s f r o m t h e r e g i o n o f A b r u z z o I t a l y , l i v i n g i n Venezuela where she picked up her second language, Spanish. Having performed earlier in her career in English and now hav- ing come to live here, she is a tri-linguist. At the age of 16 her m u s i c a n d v o c a l p r o f e s s o r , Irene Eberstein, introduced her and integrated her talents into C o r a l C a p e l l a d e C a r a c a s , where she became a Soprano and the Cultural Ambassador of Venezuela. "We travelled the world as I carried my 50 pound accordion, and performed in Europe, Asia, Africa and America," recalled the accordionist. "In all those years, I never abandoned the accordion, continuing my stud- ies in Venezuela, and presenting my exams in Italy, under strict rules of the music conservatory of Saint Cecilia at Rome." ROBERT GALLO Di Costanzo has a son who started playing the piano at age four, and although very good at it, gave it up when he went to Italy because "no one was play- i n g i t . " S h e s a i d , " H e n o w l a m e n t s ' M o m , w h y d i d I stop?' " She has two sisters w h o a r e n o t i n t h e l e a s t b i t i n t e r e s t e d i n m u s i c . D i Constanzo jokes, "they don't like to sing, not even in the shower." " I f e e l r e a l l y b l e s s e d b y God, having had the opportuni- t y t o t r a v e l a l l a r o u n d t h e world, and being blessed with my musical abilities," said Di Constanzo. "Although I have travelled so much, it was hectic b u t n o w I c a n s t a r t a g a i n because I don't have to travel, study, and work. H a v i n g c o m e t o A m e r i c a approximately three years ago, Di Constanzo said she has aspi- rations to sing again and to get involved in the classical con- cert circuit, but for now is the Director of Property Services f o r P a c i f i c a R e a l E s t a t e Services. She praised Italy for "producing really good singers, not techno-music." The singer- a c c o r d i o n i s t h a s w o r k e d i n New York for almost a year and felt at home there. "While I played, everyone was dancing and not looking at me," said a shy Di Constanzo Grazietta Di Constanzo graces House of Italy meeting President of Sons of Italy, Jim Cardinale, enjoying dance at business meeting

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