Heritage Community Foundation Presents
Alberta Online Encyclopedia


     Home > People > Oral History Projects > Celebrating Edmonton's Italian 
     Community Project > Fiore M. Vecchio > Transcript Summary

     Fiore M. Vecchio: Oral History Transcript Summary 

Visit AlbertaSource!


Carlo & Lina 
Amodio
 

Rudy & Rita 
Cavaliere

Mary Biollo Doyle

Tony Falcone

Bill Nigro

 Sabatino Roncucci

Spinelli Family
 
Alessandro &
Lina Urso

Fiore M. Vecchio

 


Page 1   |  2

The discussion centred around Mr. Vecchio's emigration experience and his inventions and compositions.

  • Left Grimaldi in 1950 but before leaving composed a song titled "Un Saluto al Mio Paesello" ["A Salute to My Hometown"] based on words by Professor Rosario Colistro; a descendant of the Professor's, John Colistro of Thunder Bay, in a recent book on the immigration history of Grimaldi talks of the composition.1
      
  • Fiore Vecchio serenading Father Bonelli on the occasion of the Father's 81st birthday, 2002.  Photo taken by David Ridley of the Heritage Community Foundation for the Celebrating Edmonton's Italian Community Oral History Project.His compositions include: 
    • a hymn to Santa Maria Goretti with lyrics by Father Francesco Mascetti from Lazio
    • Mass Gloria a Te, Signore [Glory to Thee, O Lord], composed for Father Augusto Feccia on the 25th anniversary of his priesthood
        
  • Attended evening classes to acquire English and in 1952 moved to Edmonton where he obtained work as a carpenter
      
  • Established his first dance band in 1956 that also included his brother Silvano Vecchio on guitar (he was later to become a physician); Fiore arranged music for special occasions including weddings
      
  • Began work as a realtor but continued to cultivate his musical passion and this creativity also spurred his inventions
      
  • Wanted to excel and succeed so always challenged himself
      
  • In 1980 became the director of the Coro Italiano of the Santa Maria Goretti Parish and began to compose religious works; first composition was a Mass for choir and two voices with organ, trumpet and violin accompaniment titled Gloria a te, Signore [Glory to Thee, O Lord], composed for Father Augusto Feccia on the 25th anniversary of his priesthood; songs include "Nella Casa del Padre ["In the House of the Father"], words by Father Umberto Rizzi; "Quanto e grande il Signore" ["How Great Thou Art"], words by Father Rizzi; "Ritorno dove son Nato" ["I return to where I was born"], words by Professor Matteo Saccomanno; "Padre Nostro" ["Our Father"] written to the memory of his Father (this last is sung at the Sunday Mass at the Santa Maria Goretti Parish)


Listen to Music Selections  |  Read Short Biography 

 [continue>>]

[back] [top]

Copyright © 2002 Heritage Community Foundation

Albertasource.ca | Contact Us | Partnerships
            For more on Italian Alberta, visit Peel’s Prairie Provinces.
Copyright © Heritage Community Foundation All Rights Reserved