By Nancy Miller Chenier
Though few in numbers, the Italian community in Lowertown made a noticeable contribution to the performing arts. A census of Lowertown residents identified Italian families as early as 1851 and by 1900, an estimated 700 Italians had settled here. This article focuses on members of three families. Rocco Graziadei played music, Peter Mandia produced theatre, and David Moroni danced. All shared their talents within and outside of our community.
Rocco Graziadei (1859-1935), settled with his wife, Maria Carmelia Nicolini, on St. Andrew Street in the 1880s. Rocco was best known as a harpist and early advertisements featured a harp image for his Italian orchestra. But he also played the flute, cello, piano, and violin and eventually each of his ten children learned an instrument.
Rocco promoted his family orchestra in local newspapers and by hanging a sign on his 63 St. Andrew Street house indicating that their musical talent was available for “Balls, Parties, and Receptions.” This celebrated musical family orchestra played for indoor ballroom dancing at hotels like the Russell and Chateau Laurier as well as outdoor picnics in parks and moonlight excursions on Ottawa River cruises. One key to their success was a claim to “first class music entirely up to date with the latest traditions.”
David Moroni (1938- ) considered to be one of Canada’s leading dance figures, started life in Lowertown at 192 Bolton Street. Moroni trained in Ottawa with Nesta Toumine, a European-trained ballet dancer and teacher, who founded the Classical Ballet Studio in 1949. By the early 1950s, David featured regularly as a principal dancer in her productions. Often referred to as an outstanding performer, before the end of that decade, he was recognized within and beyond Canada as a talented performing artist.
In 1964, after several years of teaching ballet in Ottawa, he was invited to join the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and by 1968 had moved to be the company’s principal dancer. When the idea of developing a professional-level training school to strengthen the company arose, David Moroni took on the challenge. He is credited with building the current program that integrates academic education with professional dance training. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division has an endowment fund named in his honour. At last report, he lives in the Maritimes and continues to be a guest teacher at various schools there.
Peter Mandia (1943-1994) grew up at 160 Murray Street, the only son of Anthony Mandia and Faye Towey. His early years included singing in festivals, both solo and as part of a St. Brigid’s school choir. At the University of Ottawa, he was an active member of the drama guild, served on the executive of the Student Federation, and edited The Fulcrum student newspaper. Following his graduation in 1963, Peter’s acting and directing roles took him to local venues such as the Ottawa Little Theatre and Le Hibou.
In 1970, Peter founded Theatre Aquarius, an offspring of the amateur theatre group called the Blue and White Playhouse. In March of that year, Theatre Aquarius announced productions at the newly opened National Arts Centre Studio and Theatre. By December, the theatre group’s versatility was evident as members took to the road for a five-month tour of Ontario high schools. Through the winter and spring of 1972, Mandia’s enthusiasm for Canadian plays saw him directing a series called Four for Canada and in the summer another series called Candles and Crackerjacks at the Astrolabe Theatre on Nepean Point (demolished as part of the Kìwekì Point development). In April 1973, Peter with his wife Nancy Rossov opened Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton. Thirty years after his death, Theatre Aquarius continues as a modern performing arts centre showcasing a variety of plays.
These three talented individuals with Italian ancestry started here and went on to showcase their abilities to wider audiences. They provide a small sample of the many gifted artists scattered throughout our neighbourhoods. In addition to those in the performing arts, visual and literary success stories continue to emerge from multiple backgrounds across our Lowertown community.
(Photo: Royal Winnipeg Ballet)
