Paese Mio Bello: An Exploration of Early Italian-American Music
Todd Cambio, Fraulini Guitar Company

In the early twentieth century, U.S. recording companies began producing records of music from the traditions of various recent immigrant groups. These recordings included folk music, topical songs rendered by popular singers, as well as instrumental pieces and audio from live theater performances. Paese Mio Bello is a collection of these early 78-rpm recordings from 1911 to 1939, a sampling of the rich diversity of musics of the Italian diaspora. Producer Todd Cambio, a luthier, musician, and a collector of 78-rpm records, will play selections from his compilation and discuss the music and its performers and composers.