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Aurora Mandolin Ensemble fills Sunnyside Conservatory with eclectic music

May 9, 2011 by Elizabeth Weise

The Aurora Mandolin Ensemble. Conductor Josephine Pelligrini is seated on the left of the sign. Photo by Michael Waldstein

By Bonnee Waldstein, Glen Park News

When was the last time anyone heard someone sing the lyric “When the moon hits your eye like a bigga pizza pie — that’s amore!” ??

Those who came to the Sunnyside Conservatory on Friday evening can lay claim to hearing that bit of musical nostalgia, and to taking part in the sing-along finale, led by vocalist Bob Rizzetto. Prior to that, however, the ensemble performed a varied selection of standards from around the globe, including Italy, Spain, and Russia, plus show tunes, opera and contemporary selections.

Bob Rizzetto wraps it up with a rendition of "That's Amore!" Photo by Michael Waldstein

The original Aurora Mandolin orchestra was founded in 1936 and revived by Gino Pellegrini in 1970, after its near death in the forties and fifties. The orchestra has up to thirty professional and amateur musicians and is based on a symphonic string orchestra.

Gino taught the instrument to his wife, Josephine, after they married in 1994.

With Gino’s passing, Josephine took up the conductor’s mantle and travels the Bay Area introducing folks to the wonders of the music from this plucky instrument.  On this night, the small ensemble of players consisted of three mandolins, a mandocello, mandola, guitar and flute.

The mandolin is part of the lute family and originated in Italy in the 1600s with six pairs of gut strings. It is round or teardrop-shaped.  The modern instrument dates to the 1800s and has four pairs of metal strings.

The mandola, which means little violin, is a precursor to the mandolin and is to the mandolin what the viola is to the violin.  The mandocello is also larger than the mandolin and is to the mandolin what the cello is to the violin.  (For more detailed explanation see our friend Wikipedia.)

At any rate, it all sounded magical together, especially with the added benefit of the splendid acoustics of the conservatory, its beautiful space, and generous goodies at intermission.  Admission was pretty much up to you, ranging from free, to donation, to ten dollars for a ticket in advance — which is par for the cultural events at the conservatory.

In between selections, Josephine Pellegrini gave the audience tidbits of mandolin lore in her NewYawk/Lon G’Island accent.

The next musical event will probably be in the summer, when the Temescal Quartet will have its second performance at Sunnyside Conservatory.

www.sunnysideconservatory.org

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Bosworth & Lyell tarp wrap
Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
RSVP to info@glenparkassociation.org
Just need to get last week’s
loose material into tarps!


SFCTA Freeway Ramp Open House
Thursday, May 15, 5-6:30 p.m.
Ingleside Branch Library, 1298 Ocean Avenue



Spread the Love and the Mulch
Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. to noon
500 block of Arlington at Roanoke
The blooming Oakwoodland on Arlington and Roanoke turns two. Come join the community in keeping out the weeds and making space for the California Natives. Tools, lunch (sponsored by neighbor Jodell) and good company provided.


Hamerton steps logoHamerton Steps Planting
Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
RSVP hamertonstairs@gmail.com



Upper Noe Neighbors Community Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Upper Noe Recreation Center auditorium
295 Day Street
Agenda


San Francisco Department of Public Works logoDPW Love Our City
District 8 Cleanup Day
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to afternoon
Learn more and sign up here


 

Logo Center for Creative Exploration

The Center for Creative Exploration
Explore all the Colors of the Rainbow
one-day workshop
Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Chenery Street
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Weeding Party
June 21, 10 a.m. to noon
100 block of Arlington at Charles
Join neighbors on the North end of the Cut to keep down the weeds and beautify top to bottom. Tools, lunch and good company provided.


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Join the Glen Park Association and help promote our community’s interests. Together, we can secure improvement funds, publicize neighborhood concerns and strive to speak as one voice on neighborhood and city issues.

Membership in the Glen Park Association is only $10 annually and can be purchased online.

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GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
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Glen Park Association is in Glen Park.
3 days ago
Glen Park Association

Save the Date! May 17th, Saturday 10:00AM - 11:30AM

Join us and help pick up trash & litter in the neighborhood!
We’re celebrating 3 years of collaborating with @refuserefusesf and the @glen_parkmerchantssf of #keepingGlenParkclean and bringing the #community together!🙌🏽

Meet at Critter Fritters Pet Food and Supplies @critterfritterspetfood
📍670 Chenery Street

Supplies and refreshments prov
... See MoreSee Less

Save the Date! May 17th, Saturday 10:00AM - 11:30AM

Join us and help pick up trash & litter in the neighborhood! 
We’re celebrating 3 years of collaborating with @refuserefusesf and the @glen_parkmerchantssf of #keepingGlenParkclean and bringing the #community together!🙌🏽

Meet at Critter Fritters Pet Food and Supplies @critterfritterspetfood 
📍670 Chenery Street

Supplies and refreshments provided
No experience required

#refuserefusesf #glenpark #sanfrancisco #keepSFclean @rafaelmandelmand8 @anhishere @danielluriesf @sfpublicworks @avenuegreenlight #avenuegreenlight
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Glen Park Association is in Glen Park.
5 days ago
Glen Park Association

Yesterday was a great day at the Glen Park Small Business Stroll presented by the San Francisco Public Library’s Small Business Center and our Glen Park Branch Library!
Participating merchants were @bird.beckett , @perchsf , @theclarktechnique , @pebblescafesf , @glen_park_station_bar and Glen Park historian Evelyn Rose did a BART history talk at the Glen Park BART station.

📷: Photos courtesy of
... See MoreSee Less

Yesterday was a great day at the Glen Park Small Business Stroll presented by the San Francisco Public Library’s Small Business Center and our Glen Park Branch Library!
Participating merchants were @bird.beckett , @perchsf , @theclarktechnique , @pebblescafesf , @glen_park_station_bar and Glen Park historian Evelyn Rose did a BART history talk at  the Glen Park BART station. 

📷: Photos courtesy of Bonnee Waldstein 

@sfpubliclibrary #glenparksf  #glenparksmallbusinessstroll
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Wonder what’s going on with the French restaurant on the corner of Chenery. It never reopened.

Blog Roll

Coyote Yipps
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project
Open SF History
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside History
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Tramps of San Francisco
Upper Noe Neighbors

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