I1 Coro Italiano was formed
in 1962, under the name Il Coro Fogolar Furlan. The choir’s
beginnings were linked both to the Fogolar Furlan Club and
to St. Angela Church.
Il Coro originally came together through the efforts of two
individuals – Giuseppe
DeMonte and Amelio Pez. After 5 years, Il Coro Fogolar Furlan
became Il Coro Italiano. The first concert of Il Coro took
place on February 16, 1963, with 37 choristers at the Fogolar
Furlan, under the skillful and superb direction opf Rev. Father
Umberto Rizzi. By 1965, Il Coro Italiano made a recording of
popular Italian songs and in 1968 a recording of Italian Christmas
carols. Their songs were heard on television, radio, and several
concerts were held in London, Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, and Windsor.
Later in the 70's, from their repertoire of folk songs, Il Coro
Italiano ventured in singing operatic excerpts and compositions in
English under the direction of Rev. Father Ramiero Alessandrini.
As their repertoire expanded, so did their destinations. Il Coro
Italiano was invited to perform in Edmonton, Calgary, and Banff in
1978, Montreal and Ottawa in 1981, and St. John's Newfoundland in
1997. It was there that the choristers performed for an audience of
5000 people for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Giovanni
Caboto's landing in Canada. In 1999, they were invited to Vancouver
to help raise funds for the construction of a new church.
In 1998, the members of Il Coro Italiano were the recipients of
the 'Man of the Year' award given by the Giovanni Caboto Club of
Windsor in recognition of their hard work, enthusiasm, dedication,
love of Italian lyrics, and commitment tp spread their joy to others.
Four conductors have molded the long lasting choir for more than
40 years: Fr. Umberto Rizzi, Fr. Ramiero Alessandrini, Fr. Pietro
Gandolfi, and the current maestro, Mr. Angelo Nadalin. Il Coro Italiano
is keeping the tradition of Italian song alive
(Marty Gervais, Keeping with Tradition) |