BIOGRAPHY OF MAESTRO ALFONSO ROSSI

by grandson, Vincent A. Dell'Osa, JR

The Rossi Music Studio

Maestro Rossi had a music studio at his residence. He taught a variety number of instruments, such as piccolo, flute, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, valve trombone, baritone horn and some percussion. Before he taught his students a musical instrument, he taught them fundamental music instruction know as "solfege". There were times when he became older, Maestro Rossi would be under the weather and would be unable to teach. However, his son, Eligio would substitute for his father. Eligio played the double bass violin, known as the contra-bass. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music, located at 18th and Locust Streets in Philadelphia. When Eligio graduated the Curtis Institute, he played with several symphony orchestras in the country. He also played with two Philadelphia Opera Companies, The Scala Opera Company and The Grand Opera Company. He taught in the Philadelphia Catholic Schools, plus he taught privately. Some of his former students joined symphony orchestras in different parts of the country. Some students became jazz players. One of his former students is the renown jazz bass player, Stanley Clark. My cousin, Amilcare Del Governatore, who was known professionally as Al Governor, also studied music fundamentals with his grandfather before choosing to become a pianist. He too had a busy career conducting orchestras in night clubs, accompanying famous artists and playing in numerous Big Name Bands, such as Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Spivack, Sammy Kaye, to name a few. Maestro Rossi's grandchildren and son were all fortunate to have been related to this great musician and teacher who shared his knowledge and expertise. We were able to receive a great start in the music profession. I became a trumpet player with the Buddy Lawerence dance Band, and I also used my musical knowledge and expertise to work with my father, Vincent Dell'Osa, repairing musical instruments, specializing in brass instruments.

The RCA Band Recordings

My grandfather had a friend, Mr. John DeStefano, who owned a record store in South Philadelphia, located on Dickinson Street, between 13th street and Broad Street. I would accompany my grandfather when he would visit Mr. DeStefano. Mr. DeStefano was a gentle man with whom I remember having nice conversations. He was instrumental having my grandfather's band record for RCA- Victor Talking Machine (as called in tRose days). Incidentally, DeStefano's record store is now known as the famous Victor Café Restaurant. Over the years, I frequented this restaurant many times. I also had the privilege of meeting Mr. DeStefano's sons, John and Armand. The family has these original recordings. We can listen to the Rossi Band and enjoy Maestro Rossi's piccolo solos. The family is grateful to have this remembrance of our grandfather.

Maestro Rossi Enters Sunset Of His Life

Maestro Rossi was getting old and was having trouble with his eyesight. He developed cataracts in both eyes and had to have an operation. Maestro Rossi had one eye done first. In those days (year 1940), medical technology was not as advanced as today. He was in the hospital three weeks recovering from eye surgery. He finally was discharged and was very disappointed after spending all that time in the hospital. Later on, he was contemplating having the other cataract removed. Thinking about what he experienced with the previous surgery, he decided not to have the other eye done. In the meantime, he managed to read his newspaper using a large magnifying glass. He was aware that he would not be able to conduct as he did before. Therefore, he came to a conclusion not to continue to have the concert band. On July 4th, 1941, Alfonso Rossi was stricken ill. He passed away the following day at the age of eighty years old. In those earlier days, viewings took place in the homes, in comparison to today's customs of using a funeral home. The night of the viewing, many friends and neighbors came to pay homage. I remember a long line which extended around the corner of his residence. The day of the funeral, the piccolo he played on the RCA recording was placed in the coffin with him. The funeral procession left his home on 16th Street on the way to St. Rita's Church located on Broad Street in South Philadelphia. Maestro Rossi's former Concert Band members followed the coffin, playing suitable music for this somber occasion. Some of his students followed with baskets of flowers. There were numerous flower cars heading towards the church. After the funeral mass, my grandfather was taken to Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon for burial. It was a procession and funeral given to a celebrity. Maestro Rossi was very well thought of in the South Philadelphia community.

The Closing Chord

Maestro Rossi was no longer with us. The beautiful melodic (Italian) Symphonic marches which were played in those earlier days was going to fade away with his passing. The streets of South Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, seemed to be quiet, but the fine memories of the Rossi Band would live forever.  

MAESTRO ROSSI TRIVIA  

1. Maestro Rossi played the flute during the dinner hours at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel, located at Broad and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia.

2. Maestro Creatore referred to Alfonso Rossi, as Professore meaning Professor in Italian.

3. While in Italy, Maestro Rossi played in the pit orchestra one evening for the famous composer, Amilcare Ponchielli (La Giaconda), who conducted an opera. Maestro Rossi was so impressed with this composer that he named one of his sons Amilcare.

4. My grandfather never ate sandwiches for lunch. My grandmother, Mariana, has to cook a warm meal for lunch. He did not eat cakes or candy but enjoyed nuts and wine.

5. He did not speak English but knew how to order coffee when entering a restaurant.

6. He would shop at the Italian Market on 9th Street and was known to greet the women by removing his hat. He was a real gentlemen.

7. He corrected our Italian when we did not pronounce the words correctly.

8. You had better know your music lesson when you went to his studio. I would hate to say what happened if you didn't know your lesson. He was very strict but gentle at times.

9. At band rehearsals, he would tolerate one mistake, but you dare not make another.

10. He loved his cat. The cat would be waiting at the front door for pieces of fish that he brought back from the Italian Market. The cat would also wake him up in the morning.

11. When Maestro Rossi passed away, his cat laid under his coffin. After his burial, the cat disappeared never to be seen again.

12. He enjoyed reading his newspaper in the morning and drinking his coffee.

13. He was sometimes asked questions such as: "Maestro, what do you think about this up and coming soprano that made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera last week?" He would hesitate awhile to evaluate her singing and then he would respond in Italian, non c'è male, not too bad in English. That was a favorable compliment.

14. He would sometimes invite a friend for dinner. When the fruits were served, he would peal an apple. He could peal the apple all the way, long and perfect. He would say to his friend (who he invited for dinner), "When you are able to do as I did with the apple, you may find a wife and marry". At a later date, he would meet his friend who by that time learned to peal and apple as well as my grandfather. He would say, "Maestro, I now can peal an apple as well as you". He would also mention that he was ready for marriage. My grandfather would then respond, "Find yourself a wife.'' Since I lived with my grandparents during the summer months at the age of ten and eleven, I experienced some of these Trivia Stories first hand. My grandparents were very special to me. In fact, as a new musician in the Rossi Concert Band, I gave my first pay to my grandmother, Mariana. I became a better person because of the time that I was able to share and learn from these wonderful grandparents.