Jump to content

Sergio Franchi: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Add Retrieval date
Wiki is not a tabloid
Line 27: Line 27:


Franchi and his sister, [[Dana Valery]], purchased the 240-acre Farmholme property in [[Stonington, Connecticut]] in 1979. He intended it a refuge for his retirement years.<ref name="Sun"/> The property included several residences, and Franchi was instrumental in making it a family compound - after he won a lawsuit over the title (a case that went to the CT Supreme Court).<ref>''The Boston Globe.'' August 24, 1983. "New England News in Brief: Sergio Franchi Wins Conn. Estate Battle." Boston, MA.</ref> By 1982 Sergio Franchi had relocated his father, stepmother, and sister Mirella and her children to his estate. His children were also frequent visitors.<ref>''Attenzione, Vol.4, 1982.'' "Retrieve Article Name." Joseph Mancini. Paulucci Publications, NY. ISSN: 0163-8130. (Extended family living on Stonington estate).</ref> The dates of his mother's, father's, and stepmother's deaths are unknown. His sister Mirella died three months after Sergio.<ref>http://www.danacatalano.com/Sette_Feb2001_English.htm (Translation of February 28, 2001 article in "Sette," a weekly magazine of ''Corriere Della Sere,'' Italian newspaper. Lost brother, sister, & unborn child within 3-month period) Retrieved December 23, 2011</ref> Mirella's great-grandson participated in the 2001 Memorial Concert playing tunes for visitors on Franchi's Steinway piano.<ref>''The Westerly Sun.'' September 6, 2011. "Coming soon: Intimate Musical Experience for 4,000." Steven Standridge. Westerly, RI. (Sergio's great-grandnephew at piano).</ref>
Franchi and his sister, [[Dana Valery]], purchased the 240-acre Farmholme property in [[Stonington, Connecticut]] in 1979. He intended it a refuge for his retirement years.<ref name="Sun"/> The property included several residences, and Franchi was instrumental in making it a family compound - after he won a lawsuit over the title (a case that went to the CT Supreme Court).<ref>''The Boston Globe.'' August 24, 1983. "New England News in Brief: Sergio Franchi Wins Conn. Estate Battle." Boston, MA.</ref> By 1982 Sergio Franchi had relocated his father, stepmother, and sister Mirella and her children to his estate. His children were also frequent visitors.<ref>''Attenzione, Vol.4, 1982.'' "Retrieve Article Name." Joseph Mancini. Paulucci Publications, NY. ISSN: 0163-8130. (Extended family living on Stonington estate).</ref> The dates of his mother's, father's, and stepmother's deaths are unknown. His sister Mirella died three months after Sergio.<ref>http://www.danacatalano.com/Sette_Feb2001_English.htm (Translation of February 28, 2001 article in "Sette," a weekly magazine of ''Corriere Della Sere,'' Italian newspaper. Lost brother, sister, & unborn child within 3-month period) Retrieved December 23, 2011</ref> Mirella's great-grandson participated in the 2001 Memorial Concert playing tunes for visitors on Franchi's Steinway piano.<ref>''The Westerly Sun.'' September 6, 2011. "Coming soon: Intimate Musical Experience for 4,000." Steven Standridge. Westerly, RI. (Sergio's great-grandnephew at piano).</ref>

==Interests and hobbies==
Sergio Franchi had extended creative gifts outside of his musical accomplishments (voice, piano, and guitar).<ref>''Billboard.'' April 6, 1963. "Sergio Franchi." New York City. (Piano & Guitar)</ref> He dabbled in sculpture and carved the steeple of his private chapel on his Stonington estate.<ref name="Legacy">''The Day.'' August 30, 2002. "Eva Franchi Carries on Husband's Legacy." Ann Baldelli. New London, CT.</ref> He worked with stained glass,carried a sketch book with him on all of his travels,<ref name="Souvenir"/> and, in later life, devoted himself to painting in watercolor in his private studio.<ref name="Ed"/>. He donated prints of some of his watercolors for charitable sales.<ref>''Los Angeles Times.'' February 8, 1989, "Art For Those Who Know What They Like: Celebrity." Jess Bravin. Los Angeles, CA (Sergio and Ted Kennedy sell paintings for charity benefit)</ref> He made use of his skills and interest in interior design when renovating his Farmholme estate. Sergio Franchi was an avid collector of fine art, Victorian kitchen ware,<ref name="Fairytale">''The Day.'' October 27, 1982. "Franchis' "fairy tale house.'" Roberta Tuttle. New London, CT. (Interest in antiques, paintings, kitchen ware, etc.)</ref> and rare pewter.<ref>''Look Magazine.'' October 21, 1969. "In The Know." Louis Butto. New York City. (Photographed by Michael Vaccaro). (Franchi photographed with his rare pewter collection)</ref> But his real passion was collecting and restoring classic and antique cars. He was a long-time member of the Classic Car Club of America, won awards for his restoration work, and participated in many of their calvacades.<ref>http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3500.asp?id=12959. (May 19, 2006 article) Retrieved December 23, 2011</ref><ref>http://www.slideshare.net/TheMotorClub21/1929-isotta-fraschini-8-a-roadster. (History of one of Franchi's restored classics & his membership in CCCA) Retrieved December 23, 2011</ref> After his death, his large collection aroused strong interest and competitive bidding at Christie's Exceptional Car Auction in 2006.<ref>''The Boston Globe.'' May 28, 2006. "Check Your Watch - Good Time to Sell?" Virginia Bohlin. Boston, MA. (Christie's upcoming auction)</ref>


==Biographical bits and pieces==
==Biographical bits and pieces==

Revision as of 17:50, 23 December 2011

Sergio Franchi in 1986

Sergio Franchi (born Sergio Franci Galli on April 6, 1926 and died May 1, 1990) was an Italian-born tenor and actor who enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame as a multi-media star and recording artist after being discovered on British television in 1962. After a trans-Atlantic taped audition, RCA Victor signed him to an exclusive seven-year contract. Sol Hurok managed Franchi's initial American concert tour with a debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Sergio Franchi was a favorite headliner in Las Vegas, and his cabaret and concert appearances filled the largest venues on four continents. His earliest ambitions and studies were directed toward an operatic career, but fate intervened as opportunities opened instead in popular and romantic music. Franchi performed musical comedies on stage, appeared on numerous television variety shows, and starred in a major motion picture. Throughout his career, Sergio Franchi was a generous benefactor and philanthropist, donating his time and talent to many causes. He became an American citizen in 1972. His performing career spanned almost four decades before his untimely death at age 64 due to cancer. After his death, a foundation was formed in his name to award scholarships to talented young singers.

Early life in Italy

Sergio was one of three children born to a Neapolitan father and Ligurian (Genoa) mother,[1] Sergio, Mirella, and Fausta (born 17 years after the older two) were all born in the Lombardy District. This includes Milan, Cremona, and the smaller village of Codogno- where the family lived. Some geographical over-simplifications resulted in listing Sergio's birthplace as Cremona, and Fausta's (Dana Valery) birthplace as "near Milan."[2] Sergio Franchi stated for the record several times in later life that his birth place was Codogno, in the province of Lodi.[3][4][5] An uncle who owned a vineyard in Alassio (near Sanremo on the Italian Riviera) was instrumental in family life on various occasions.[5][2]

As a child, Sergio would sing for the family with his father, who played the piano and guitar.[2] At age ten, he sang a comic role a hunchback in a school play.[1] Young Franchi formed a three-piece band at age sixteen to earn pocket money, and then later sang with a male vocal group in local jazz clubs. But,in spite of his musical talents, he soon followed his father's wishes that he pursue a career in engineering. Franchi pursued, but did not finish this training. He served his year of compulsory military service at age twenty-- leaving with the family at age 21 (1947) to join his father in South Africa.[6] The senior Galli had been a successful businessman who owned several shops, but lost all of his assets during World War II and the German occupation.[2] After the war, he became friendly with a Captain in the South African medical corps who was stationed nearby. He soon followed the officer's suggestion that South afica would be a land of more opportunity, and he immigrated to Johannesburg.[7] The family followed when Sergio completed his military training and when Fausta (Dana Valery) was four years old (1947).[6][8]

Early career in South Africa

When the family arrived in Johannesburg, they found that the senior Galli (skillful as a craftsman in wood) had established a succesful furniture factory.[2] Young Sergio Franci Galli began using his skills as an architectural draftsman (and artistic talent) working for his father as a designer of commercial and industrial interiors.[6] 

   (Article Under Construction)

Return to Europe

 (Article Under Construction)

Stardom in America

     (Article under Construction)

Personal life

Yvonne Lindsey (born @ 1928) was a South African ballerina of English extraction who married Sergio Franchi on February 14, 1953. They had two children: a daughter, Greta Teresa; and a son, Roberto Danilo. The childran were born in Johannesburg before Franchi relocated with his young family to his native Italy for further operatic study.[7] Estranged from about 1978, the marriage of Sergio and Yvonne ended in divorce on December 31, 1981 in Clark County, Nevada.[9] Sergio and Yvonne's daughter, Greta, was a member of a girl's singing group;[10] and then she become a model in Italy before her marriage.[11] Greta's two children were born before Sergio's death.[12] Sergio and Yvonne's son, Roberto, is an inventor holding a number of patents.[13][14][15] Roberto played the electric piano in his father's 21-piece orchesta, and also inherited some of his father's singing talent.. although there is no record of public performance.[16].

Sergio Franchi married his second wife, Eva (nee Simone), in New York City on June 14, 1982. Eva had emigrated with her family to America from Budapest after the 1956 Hungarian revolt. It was a second marriage for both.[11]

Franchi and his sister, Dana Valery, purchased the 240-acre Farmholme property in Stonington, Connecticut in 1979. He intended it a refuge for his retirement years.[2] The property included several residences, and Franchi was instrumental in making it a family compound - after he won a lawsuit over the title (a case that went to the CT Supreme Court).[17] By 1982 Sergio Franchi had relocated his father, stepmother, and sister Mirella and her children to his estate. His children were also frequent visitors.[18] The dates of his mother's, father's, and stepmother's deaths are unknown. His sister Mirella died three months after Sergio.[19] Mirella's great-grandson participated in the 2001 Memorial Concert playing tunes for visitors on Franchi's Steinway piano.[20]

Biographical bits and pieces

  • Columbia Pictures talked to Franchi as early as October, 1962;[21] and by 1964 He had already received several offers to star in films. He refused these offers because he did not wish to portray an Italian gangster. (He would have liked playing in a Western movie!).[22]
  • Sergio Franchi visited Elvis Presley on the set of Kissin' Cousins in 1964 and was made an "Honorable Colonel" by Colonel Tom Parker.[23]
  • Meredith Willson was so impressed by Franchi's interpretation of "Stella by Starlight" that he gave Franchi his framed copy of the original score presente to him (Willson) by Victor Young.[24]
  • In 1967, Sergio Franchi was photographed in a celebrity/socialite spread for a leading fashion magazine.[25]
  • In May of 1968, Franchi sang The National Anthem for the Opening Day game (New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants) at Shay Stadium.[26]
  • Two of his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show featured Franchi performances with famous male choirs. He sang Rogers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone" with the Welsh Choir on June 9, 1968.[1] Sergio Franchi met the Texas A&M Singing Cadets in December of 1970 when they were both performing at the televised Miss Teenage America Pageant. They appear together shortly thereafter on The Ed Sullivan Show (January 21, 1971)[1] singing "No Man is an Island" - later recorded and released as a single.[27][28]
  • In October of 1976, Franchi served as Grand Marshall of the world's largest Italian-American celebration - New York City's Columbus Day Parade.[29]
  • 1976 was the year Sergio Franchi was hired to do television commercials for Hills Brothers Coffee.[30]
  • Sergio Franchi still holds the record for the biggest one-week attendence draw at the North Shore Music Theater.[31]
  • The lobby walls of the Westbury Music Fair are hung with memorablia from many famous performers. Among them, an 8X10 glossy photo of Sergio Franchi, and the annotated score of his big hit "Malafemmena."[32]
  • After his death, and as of 2002, more than a dozen couples have chosen to be married at Franchi's private chapel on the grounds of his Stonington estate. Some of them met at his Memorial Concerts.[33]
  • While performing at the Framingham Monticetto in November of 1963, Sergio Franchi sang The National Anthem at a fund-raiser attended by President John F. Kennedy.[34]
  • In May of 1965, Franchi sang at a White House luncheon at the invitation of First Lady Lady Bird Johnson.[35]
  • And, at President Ronald Reagan's invitation, Sergio Franchi sang a solo performance at the White House Rose Garden for the State Visit of Portugal on September 15, 1983.[36][37]

Discography

Main article: Sergio Franchi discography

Filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d Solt, Andrew. Sergio Franchi. Sergio Franchi on the Ed Sullivan Show. Sofa Entertainment, n.d., DVD.
  2. ^ a b c d e f The Westerly Sun. June 30, 2007. "A New Look For an Old Inn." Gloria Russell. Westerly, RI.
  3. ^ "Nine," Playbill, 46th St. Theater, Vol. I, No. 11. August, 1983. "A Theatregoer's Notebook: Latins Are Tender Lovers." Rebecca Morehouse. New York City. ISSN: 0745-9076. (p.12, Codogno is Sergio's hometown)
  4. ^ The Boston Globe. May 1, 1999. "Ask The Globe." Boston, MA. (born in Codogno, James Gilmore)
  5. ^ a b The Boston Globe. September 30, 1983. "Sergio Franchi: From Italy to Las Vegas." Marian Christy. Boston, MA. (born in Codogno, stayed in Alassio)
  6. ^ a b c The Day. September 11, 1983. "Sergio Franchi Takes Over in Nine." Carol Brown. New London, CT.
  7. ^ a b Sergio Franchi Souvenir Program,(Raydell, New York,1974)
  8. ^ Chilvers, Garth & Tom Jasiukowicz. History of Contemporary Music of South Africa, Part 1 (Toga Pub., Braamfontein, South Africa, 1994) ISBN: 0620181214. (Dana in SA at age 4, born in Codogno)
  9. ^ http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_was_the_first_wife_of_Sergio_Franchi Retrieved December 23, 2011
  10. ^ The Dallas Morning News. "It Happened Last Night: Sergio Now Yankee Franchi." Earl Wilson. Dallas, TX, (Daughter Greta in 3-girl group)
  11. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Fairytale was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Los Angeles Times. May 02, 1990. "Sergio Franchi, Popular Singer on Stage and TV." Burt A. Folkart. Los angeles, CA. (Survived by two grandchildren)
  13. ^ http://www.patentgenius.com/inventedby/GalliRobertDNorthKingstonRI.html Retrieved December 23, 2011
  14. ^ http://patent.ipexl/inventor/Robert_D_Galli_1.html. Retrieved December 23, 2011
  15. ^ http://patents.justia.com/inventor/ROBERTDGALLI.html. Retrieved December 23, 2011
  16. ^ The Boston Globe. July 27, 1977. "Franchi's Style: Happy and High on Life." Steve Morse. Boston, MA. (Roberto kids around with dad, plays electric piano, Sergio's belief that Roberto would sing eventually)
  17. ^ The Boston Globe. August 24, 1983. "New England News in Brief: Sergio Franchi Wins Conn. Estate Battle." Boston, MA.
  18. ^ Attenzione, Vol.4, 1982. "Retrieve Article Name." Joseph Mancini. Paulucci Publications, NY. ISSN: 0163-8130. (Extended family living on Stonington estate).
  19. ^ http://www.danacatalano.com/Sette_Feb2001_English.htm (Translation of February 28, 2001 article in "Sette," a weekly magazine of Corriere Della Sere, Italian newspaper. Lost brother, sister, & unborn child within 3-month period) Retrieved December 23, 2011
  20. ^ The Westerly Sun. September 6, 2011. "Coming soon: Intimate Musical Experience for 4,000." Steven Standridge. Westerly, RI. (Sergio's great-grandnephew at piano).
  21. ^ The Boston Globe. October 31, 1962. "Films Seek a New Star in Music Hall Performer." Marjory Adams. Boston, MA.
  22. ^ The Dallas Morning News. November 5, 1964. "Roles as Italian Gangster Refused by Sergio Franchi." James Bacon. Dallas, TX.
  23. ^ Cotton, Lee. All Shook Up: Elvis Day-By-Day, 1954-1977. Rock and Roll Reference Series, Issue 13. (Pierian Press, Ann Arbour, MI, 1985) ISBN: 08765012722. (p. 237)
  24. ^ Sergio Franchi. Sergio Franchi: Live at the Coconut Grove. RCA Victor, 1965, LP. Liner notes.
  25. ^ Town & Country, Vol. 120, Issue 4531.New York: Hearst Corporation, 1967. (p. 237).
  26. ^ http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=wuNtenbFXGc. (Go to site and click on "all comments." User lclaughton present at event, played in Band)) Retrieved December 23, 2011
  27. ^ http://singingcadets.com/history_recentYears.html.(History of Singing Cadets with Sergio Franchi) Retrieved December 23, 2011
  28. ^ Sergio Franchi (with the Texas A&M Singing Cadets). "No Man is an Island." Metromedia Records, 1971, 45rpm.
  29. ^ http://findmeinnewyorkcity.com/2011/10/07/the-annual-columbus-day-parade. Retrieved December 23, 2011
  30. ^ Westbury Music Fair Program: Sergio Franchi. August 10-15, 1976. "Who's Who at the Music Fair." (Melvin A. Hoffman, NYC, 1976).
  31. ^ The Boston Globe. November 13, 1987. "As Matrix Closes its Doors, Club Cabaret Opens." Ernie Santosuosso. Boston, MA.
  32. ^ The New York Times. December 12, 2004. "Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear." Julia C. Mead. New York City.
  33. ^ Cite error: The named reference Legacy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ Billboard. November 16, 1983. "Talent Topics." New York (Franchi sings at JFK benefit)
  35. ^ Schenectady Gazette. May 12, 1975. "Voice of Broadway." Column by Dorothy Kilgallen. Schenectady, NY. (Sergio Franchi sings at one of Lady Bird Johnson;s White House luncheons)
  36. ^ http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/entertainers.html. Retrieved December 23, 2011
  37. ^ Kirk, Elise Kuhl. Music at the White House: A History of the Human Spirit. University of Illinois Press, 1986. ISBN: 025201233X. (Franchi, p. 354)

Further reading

  • Balboni, Alan. Beyond the Mafia: Italian Americans and the Development of Las Vegas. Shepperson Series in History Humanities (Ed. Jerome E. Edwards). (Reno, NV, 1996). ISBN: 0874172438.
  • Bessette, Roland L. Mario Lanza: Tenor in Exile (New Ed.). (Hal Leonard Corporation, 1999). ISBN: 9781574670448.
  • Brooks, Tim & Earl Marsh. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1986-Present. (Ballantine Books, NY, 1979-2007). ISBN: 9780345497734.
  • Cooper, Pat. How Dare You Say How Dare Me! as told to Rich Hereschlag and Steve Garrin. (Ch. 11. "The Yankee Franchi," pp. 163-177). (Square One Publishers; Garden City Park, NY; 2011). ISBN: 9780757003639.
  • D'Acierno, Pellegrinio. The Italian American Heritage: A Companion to Literature and Arts. Garland Reference Library of the Humanities. (Routledge, NY, 1998). ISBN: 0875303807.
  • Kirk, Elise Kuhl. Music at the White House: A History of the Human Spirit. (University of Illinois Press, 1986). ISBN: 025201233X.
  • Roos, Hilde. Opera Production in the Western Cape: Strategies in Search of Indigenization. Doctoral Dissertation. (Stellenbosch University; December, 2010). (Chapter 1 was especially valuable for reviewing the history of opera in South Africa).
  • Sani, Gabrielle. History of the Italians in South Africa, 1498-1989. (Zonderwater Block, South Africa, 1992) ISBN:
  • Sheward, David. It's a Hit!: The Back Stage Book of the Longest-Running Broadway Shows, 1884 to the Present. (Watson-Guptil, NY, 1994). ISBN: 0823076369.
  • Woolfson, Malcolm. But the melody Lingers On: The "Inside Story" of the Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society-its Shows, Personalities, Triumphs, and Tribulations. (Perskor, Johannesburg, 1992). ISBN: 0628033931.

External links

See also

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sergio_Franchi&oldid=467369439"