Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's the eightieth anniversary of wlies Leora Italian. Yes, eighty
years ago a show about all things Italian aired right
here on this very station, and who better to bring
it back than Vinnie penn oh Man.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I'm really excited about this week's installment of Liora Italiana
because what I discovered about this show from now eighty
one years ago here on nine to sixty WLI is
I'm excited about it for two reasons. One, I discovered
that it was about all things Italian for the burgeoning
Italian American community in the area. But opera was featured,
(00:41):
They played opera music, they had guests on Opera was
a real focal point of it. And above and beyond that,
my grandfather, who had his own radio show in Providence.
I didn't even find out about that until I was
like in my late twenties early thirties. It's a huge
opera fan and known for Britain bringing opera to Providence
(01:02):
in the fifties. So it's exciting to welcome to the
show Gino di Giovanni from Derby.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Well, I'm assuming you're from Derby, sir, are you?
Speaker 4 (01:15):
I am Ben?
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
No, I love it like I had those things. It's
so perfect. I can't lie and say I've ever heard
of the Sterling Opera House. But I love Derby, you know,
I love history. Hasn't been open and how long, and
it's going to there's going to be toured. Tell me
what's going on tomorrow and tell me the story of
the Sterling Opera House.
Speaker 5 (01:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
So, Derby is celebrating its three hundred and fiftieth anniversary
May thirteenth, sixteenth, seventy five, and last week May thirteenth,
we kicked off the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary season,
which is going to be about a year's worth of
events for the anniversary. This weekend is pretty much the
(02:02):
kickoff weekend. And on Saturday from one to five, right
across from the Derby Green is the Sterling Opera House
and it's going to be the first time that it's
going to be open to the public.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
It's just about two decades.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
So we're gonna do tours from one to five at
the Sterling Opera House for the public to walk through
and see this beautiful building.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
No, no performances, no, no performances.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
We're actually a member of the Sterling Opera House Commission
and we're doing a feasibility study. We got a grant
from the state to reopen the Sterling Opera House, so
we're in the process of that. The city hired affirm
and we're gathering that information as you speak right now.
So we're hoping in the next few years that will
(02:54):
get it up and running for performing.
Speaker 6 (02:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I had a listener from Derby send me just about
two weeks back. There's been a whole lot going on
in Derby about this three hundredth anniversary, and I had
like a list of things that he wanted me to share.
I think I think a lot of them passed. And
you had just said right there that it was officially
what was the official date was May thirteen, thirteen.
Speaker 5 (03:19):
Yep, May thirteen.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, So what is your affiliation with the Sterling Opera House?
Gin know, so I sit on you sound like a
young guy.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
You're young. You sound like, yeah, forty four years old.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
I'm young.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
That's very bastard.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
I was born and raised in Derby all my life,
you know. I own a construction company in town, so
very active in the community. But our chairwoman, Dana got
this committee together about three years ago and it's been
off to the races ever since and it's come a
long way in about three years.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
So, like I said, we.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Got some money through the state from our state representative,
Mary Leelander, and that gave us a little nudt and
we hired a firm to a feasibility study to see
where the market is and we're working on funding right now.
So it's pretty exciting and it's perfect time with Derby
three hundred and fiftieth anniversary there, yes, my apologies. Yeah,
(04:22):
and this weekend's events, they're going to be spectacular. Hopefully
the weather holds off a little bit, but you know
it's going to be a great time.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
They got live bands on the Green starting tonight all
the way through Sunday yea and across the street on
Elizabeth Street down a few buildings is also the Derby
l they're celebrating their one hundred and twenty.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Fifth year anniversary.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
They're going to be doing tours of that building as well,
and the Elks are still active in that building.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Now do you think if you win for opera, I
mean the opera, I I'm sure it's beautiful.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
I saw a few a few photos.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So, like I said, Derby's just got so much history,
so many extraordinary buildings and a lot of let's be honest,
gin know, a lot of how do I put I mean,
the place could be haunted. I mean, you know it
is an opera house too. There's a lot of spirits
in Derby too. I know there's a para con there
(05:22):
like once a year or two, and I've attended a
lot of events tied to that stuff in Derby.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
So the Opera House opened up in April of eighteen
eighty nine, so, I mean this is an old building
to begin with. And actually the designer of the Sterling
Opera House was one of the creators of Carnegie Hall.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
Wow. Yeah. So and then over the years that it
was open, the performers.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
That were there were Harry Houdini was there, George Burns,
Bob hole Bing Crosby, Amelia Earhart took the stage there,
just to name a few.
Speaker 6 (06:03):
So, I mean there's a lot of straordinary feel, a
lot of big names you know that that have traveled
to Derby back in the day to you know, perform
or be part of the Opera House.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
Yeah. The first National Convention was.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Also there too for the Purple Heart Association. I didn't
know that as I was looking up a few things
for a meeting that we.
Speaker 5 (06:26):
Had this week.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
That stood out to me, you know, especially around Memorial Day,
and you know, people traveled all over the country to
come here, you know, and uh, you know it was
operated until nineteen forty five.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
As a theater.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, and shame on me. I did.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
My head immediately went to I mean, that's where they
had opera. But you're mentioning George Burns this and that.
I mean there were all sorts of entertainment. All sorts
of entertainment took place there.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Yeah, so it wasn't just an opera house, if you will.
It also was down downstairs on the lower levels it
housed Derby City Hall was there, The police department was there.
I think the city hall in the building itself closed
nineteen sixty five, but even the police department was there.
(07:13):
And then downstairs in the basement they had the jail
cells there and whatnot. So I think that's where you know,
the ghost hunters were there, you know, I think it
was like twenty and eleven. And then Harry kind of
Junior came there too in twenty one and he sang
in the Opera House and filmed it and it's on
(07:34):
his YouTube channel, I believe too. And then just last
year we had the Discovery Channel there and they filmed
the show I think it's called The Mysteries of the Abandoned,
So they were there for I think it was a
week or so to film parts of the Opera House
for their show.
Speaker 5 (07:53):
So there's a lot of history to this building.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
And you know, the building structurally and out side the
building has been good shape and the renovations that will
be taking place hopefully soon will be the interior and
the upset for.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
What we see coming next.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So there's there's been about four million dollars put into
the outside of the building between the roof, the cupolas,
and the outside structure since the probably for the last
twenty five years, since about two thousand, I think it
was officially like two thousand and two, and then the
roof and stuff was done in six eight. So there's
been work that has been done to this building constantly
(08:35):
over the last twenty five years. And the reason that
we want people to come and enjoy and you know,
toward the inside of this building is because a lot
of people, people in my age range, have never been
in there. This has really been close to the public,
you know, for twenty years. They used to do tours
(08:56):
you know, before that, but it hasn't been an operation
until so not many people have been inside, and not
just locals, but people from around the state.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
They just think it's anbandoned building.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
But this is the first building that's been on the
National Historic Registration of Buildings, and it's number one for
the state of Connecticut as well. So it's the number
one historic building in Connecticut, which a lot of.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
People you know don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Yeah, and it's a great Saturday to check it out.
To some of the stuff I'm reading right now, it's
kind of blowing my mind.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
D W.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Griffith, I'm a huge I'm a like a silent movie nerd.
I'm a movie geek in general. And he premiered and
Wild to me to read, he premiered most of his
films at the Sterling with a huge reception to his
film Birth of a Nation. And all the names that
you had that there's tons more beyond who you mentioned.
(09:50):
It seems like it was a go to place. Give
the exact address and hours for tomorrow that people get
can can come and check it out and be you know,
be a part of the sure and does it Are
they free tours or a couple dollars whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
So it's gonna be Saturday Tomorrow from one to five
and it's gonna be right across from the Derby Green
on Elizabeth Street. They're gonna have food vendors, food trucks,
they have fans, they have all types of events going
on all all day Tomorrow twelfth, at noon to ten pm.
So Elizabeth Street will be blocked off, but there's plenty
(10:26):
of parking on Olivia Minerva, the parking garage, so they'll
they'll find it. They just walk right down to Elizabeth
Street and you'll see it. We'll have a big tent
set up outside and it's free, so it's gonna be
free to go inside do the tour, and people are
allowed to take pictures. We just asked that that they
(10:49):
they tell us who they are, where they're from, because
there's gonna be people from all over the state and
New England that are gonna be coming to uh the
Opera House to tour this already, So we wanted to
give people and your listeners the opportunity if they didn't
know about it, but they could also follow us on
Facebook's Stirling Opera House and also they could follow they.
Speaker 5 (11:09):
Could just search Derby three fifty on Facebook.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
To get any specific information that they're looking for.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Yeah, I hope to make it out tomorrow, but keep
in touch with me too as it comes along and
if there's an official opening and which if shows begin again.
But Gino di Giovanni, I appreciate you being part of
the show and letting me know about this, and hopefully
I'll see you tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah sounds good.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Ben, Thanks, I'll be in touch and hope to see
everyone there tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah. I love it.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
I'm glad you brought it to my attention, and I
think it's going to be a mad house Tomow named
after Charles Sterling, a renowned piano manufacturer in Derby.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Really really cool stuff.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Man, open light, like he said in eighteen eighty nine,
ran through nineteen forty five. The Houdini end of the
equation blows my mind, and there's just so much more.
Boxing Champ John Sullivan, who played Simon Lagree in Uncle
Tom's Cabin, is another notable appearance there. Lionel Barrymore, an
(12:11):
American theater legend, performed there with John and Ethel Barrymore.
In Derby, Connecticut, I've always been intrigued by Derby Man,
and now there is just one more reason.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
A great Leora Dalian
It's the eightieth anniversary of wlies Leora Italian. Yes, eighty
years ago a show about all things Italian aired right
here on this very station, and who better to bring
it back than Vinnie penn oh Man.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I'm really excited about this week's installment of Liora Italiana
because what I discovered about this show from now eighty
one years ago here on nine to sixty WLI is
I'm excited about it for two reasons. One, I discovered
that it was about all things Italian for the burgeoning
Italian American community in the area. But opera was featured,
(00:41):
They played opera music, they had guests on Opera was
a real focal point of it. And above and beyond that,
my grandfather, who had his own radio show in Providence.
I didn't even find out about that until I was
like in my late twenties early thirties. It's a huge
opera fan and known for Britain bringing opera to Providence
(01:02):
in the fifties. So it's exciting to welcome to the
show Gino di Giovanni from Derby.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Well, I'm assuming you're from Derby, sir, are you?
Speaker 4 (01:15):
I am Ben?
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
No, I love it like I had those things. It's
so perfect. I can't lie and say I've ever heard
of the Sterling Opera House. But I love Derby, you know,
I love history. Hasn't been open and how long, and
it's going to there's going to be toured. Tell me
what's going on tomorrow and tell me the story of
the Sterling Opera House.
Speaker 5 (01:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
So, Derby is celebrating its three hundred and fiftieth anniversary
May thirteenth, sixteenth, seventy five, and last week May thirteenth,
we kicked off the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary season,
which is going to be about a year's worth of
events for the anniversary. This weekend is pretty much the
(02:02):
kickoff weekend. And on Saturday from one to five, right
across from the Derby Green is the Sterling Opera House
and it's going to be the first time that it's
going to be open to the public.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
It's just about two decades.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
So we're gonna do tours from one to five at
the Sterling Opera House for the public to walk through
and see this beautiful building.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
No, no performances, no, no performances.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
We're actually a member of the Sterling Opera House Commission
and we're doing a feasibility study. We got a grant
from the state to reopen the Sterling Opera House, so
we're in the process of that. The city hired affirm
and we're gathering that information as you speak right now.
So we're hoping in the next few years that will
(02:54):
get it up and running for performing.
Speaker 6 (02:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I had a listener from Derby send me just about
two weeks back. There's been a whole lot going on
in Derby about this three hundredth anniversary, and I had
like a list of things that he wanted me to share.
I think I think a lot of them passed. And
you had just said right there that it was officially
what was the official date was May thirteen, thirteen.
Speaker 5 (03:19):
Yep, May thirteen.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, So what is your affiliation with the Sterling Opera House?
Gin know, so I sit on you sound like a
young guy.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
You're young. You sound like, yeah, forty four years old.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
I'm young.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
That's very bastard.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
I was born and raised in Derby all my life,
you know. I own a construction company in town, so
very active in the community. But our chairwoman, Dana got
this committee together about three years ago and it's been
off to the races ever since and it's come a
long way in about three years.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
So, like I said, we.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Got some money through the state from our state representative,
Mary Leelander, and that gave us a little nudt and
we hired a firm to a feasibility study to see
where the market is and we're working on funding right now.
So it's pretty exciting and it's perfect time with Derby
three hundred and fiftieth anniversary there, yes, my apologies. Yeah,
(04:22):
and this weekend's events, they're going to be spectacular. Hopefully
the weather holds off a little bit, but you know
it's going to be a great time.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
They got live bands on the Green starting tonight all
the way through Sunday yea and across the street on
Elizabeth Street down a few buildings is also the Derby
l they're celebrating their one hundred and twenty.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Fifth year anniversary.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
They're going to be doing tours of that building as well,
and the Elks are still active in that building.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Now do you think if you win for opera, I
mean the opera, I I'm sure it's beautiful.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
I saw a few a few photos.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So, like I said, Derby's just got so much history,
so many extraordinary buildings and a lot of let's be honest,
gin know, a lot of how do I put I mean,
the place could be haunted. I mean, you know it
is an opera house too. There's a lot of spirits
in Derby too. I know there's a para con there
(05:22):
like once a year or two, and I've attended a
lot of events tied to that stuff in Derby.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
So the Opera House opened up in April of eighteen
eighty nine, so, I mean this is an old building
to begin with. And actually the designer of the Sterling
Opera House was one of the creators of Carnegie Hall.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
Wow. Yeah. So and then over the years that it
was open, the performers.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
That were there were Harry Houdini was there, George Burns,
Bob hole Bing Crosby, Amelia Earhart took the stage there,
just to name a few.
Speaker 6 (06:03):
So, I mean there's a lot of straordinary feel, a
lot of big names you know that that have traveled
to Derby back in the day to you know, perform
or be part of the Opera House.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
Yeah. The first National Convention was.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Also there too for the Purple Heart Association. I didn't
know that as I was looking up a few things
for a meeting that we.
Speaker 5 (06:26):
Had this week.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
That stood out to me, you know, especially around Memorial Day,
and you know, people traveled all over the country to
come here, you know, and uh, you know it was
operated until nineteen forty five.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
As a theater.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, and shame on me. I did.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
My head immediately went to I mean, that's where they
had opera. But you're mentioning George Burns this and that.
I mean there were all sorts of entertainment. All sorts
of entertainment took place there.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Yeah, so it wasn't just an opera house, if you will.
It also was down downstairs on the lower levels it
housed Derby City Hall was there, The police department was there.
I think the city hall in the building itself closed
nineteen sixty five, but even the police department was there.
(07:13):
And then downstairs in the basement they had the jail
cells there and whatnot. So I think that's where you know,
the ghost hunters were there, you know, I think it
was like twenty and eleven. And then Harry kind of
Junior came there too in twenty one and he sang
in the Opera House and filmed it and it's on
(07:34):
his YouTube channel, I believe too. And then just last
year we had the Discovery Channel there and they filmed
the show I think it's called The Mysteries of the Abandoned,
So they were there for I think it was a
week or so to film parts of the Opera House
for their show.
Speaker 5 (07:53):
So there's a lot of history to this building.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
And you know, the building structurally and out side the
building has been good shape and the renovations that will
be taking place hopefully soon will be the interior and
the upset for.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
What we see coming next.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So there's there's been about four million dollars put into
the outside of the building between the roof, the cupolas,
and the outside structure since the probably for the last
twenty five years, since about two thousand, I think it
was officially like two thousand and two, and then the
roof and stuff was done in six eight. So there's
been work that has been done to this building constantly
(08:35):
over the last twenty five years. And the reason that
we want people to come and enjoy and you know,
toward the inside of this building is because a lot
of people, people in my age range, have never been
in there. This has really been close to the public,
you know, for twenty years. They used to do tours
(08:56):
you know, before that, but it hasn't been an operation
until so not many people have been inside, and not
just locals, but people from around the state.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
They just think it's anbandoned building.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
But this is the first building that's been on the
National Historic Registration of Buildings, and it's number one for
the state of Connecticut as well. So it's the number
one historic building in Connecticut, which a lot of.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
People you know don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Yeah, and it's a great Saturday to check it out.
To some of the stuff I'm reading right now, it's
kind of blowing my mind.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
D W.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Griffith, I'm a huge I'm a like a silent movie nerd.
I'm a movie geek in general. And he premiered and
Wild to me to read, he premiered most of his
films at the Sterling with a huge reception to his
film Birth of a Nation. And all the names that
you had that there's tons more beyond who you mentioned.
(09:50):
It seems like it was a go to place. Give
the exact address and hours for tomorrow that people get
can can come and check it out and be you know,
be a part of the sure and does it Are
they free tours or a couple dollars whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
So it's gonna be Saturday Tomorrow from one to five
and it's gonna be right across from the Derby Green
on Elizabeth Street. They're gonna have food vendors, food trucks,
they have fans, they have all types of events going
on all all day Tomorrow twelfth, at noon to ten pm.
So Elizabeth Street will be blocked off, but there's plenty
(10:26):
of parking on Olivia Minerva, the parking garage, so they'll
they'll find it. They just walk right down to Elizabeth
Street and you'll see it. We'll have a big tent
set up outside and it's free, so it's gonna be
free to go inside do the tour, and people are
allowed to take pictures. We just asked that that they
(10:49):
they tell us who they are, where they're from, because
there's gonna be people from all over the state and
New England that are gonna be coming to uh the
Opera House to tour this already, So we wanted to
give people and your listeners the opportunity if they didn't
know about it, but they could also follow us on
Facebook's Stirling Opera House and also they could follow they.
Speaker 5 (11:09):
Could just search Derby three fifty on Facebook.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
To get any specific information that they're looking for.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Yeah, I hope to make it out tomorrow, but keep
in touch with me too as it comes along and
if there's an official opening and which if shows begin again.
But Gino di Giovanni, I appreciate you being part of
the show and letting me know about this, and hopefully
I'll see you tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah sounds good.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Ben, Thanks, I'll be in touch and hope to see
everyone there tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah. I love it.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
I'm glad you brought it to my attention, and I
think it's going to be a mad house Tomow named
after Charles Sterling, a renowned piano manufacturer in Derby.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Really really cool stuff.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Man, open light, like he said in eighteen eighty nine,
ran through nineteen forty five. The Houdini end of the
equation blows my mind, and there's just so much more.
Boxing Champ John Sullivan, who played Simon Lagree in Uncle
Tom's Cabin, is another notable appearance there. Lionel Barrymore, an
(12:11):
American theater legend, performed there with John and Ethel Barrymore.
In Derby, Connecticut, I've always been intrigued by Derby Man,
and now there is just one more reason.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
A great Leora Dalian
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.