Frank DellaPenna and his 35-bell mobile carillon to appear at Sussex ShopRites

Sussex County ShopRite stores are bringing “the spirit of the bells,” also known as Frank DellaPenna, and his 35-bell mobile carillon to entertain shoppers. Organizers said this is a “don’t miss” act featuring a mobile medieval musical instrument that is so rare most people have never heard of it. DellaPenna is a one-man musical machine entertainer whose reputation precedes him as a traveling performer, “wowing” audiences worldwide, they added. The carillon weighs four tons and is played by using fists and feet. Sussex County appearances ShopRite of Byram, 90-80 Route 206 North Saturday, December 11: 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, December 20: 2 to 7:30 p.m. ShopRite of Newton, 125 Water St. Sunday, December 12, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2 to 7:30 p.m. ShopRite of Franklin, 270 Route 23 Monday, December 13, 2 to 7:30 p.m.

About the carillion
The carillon is played by a silent and masked “spirit of the bells” that appears only to breathe life into the instrument for the performance. The “spirit” and creator of Cast in Bronze, Frank DellaPenna, began his studies in Valley Forge, Pa., and is a graduate of the French Carillon School in Tourcoing, France.
Cast in Bronze has been invited to perform for both Pope John Paul II and the Presidential Inauguration, and has performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot in Orlando, Florida 1998 - 2002 for the Christmas season. The music of Cast in Bronze has also been heard on radio, at music and Renaissance Festivals, on television including a special Christmas Eve performance on the NBC “Today” Show, and at Alice Cooper’s 2004 “Christmas Pudding” benefit concert
Source: www.castinbronze.com.

A brief History
In 1480, a musical instrument of cast bronze bells was created and became known as the carillon. It is played from a modified keyboard with the fists and feet. Located in lofty bell towers throughout the world, the instrument and its player were hidden from sight, making the carillon one of the world’s best kept secrets.
Thirty-five years ago, 35 bronze bells were placed on a mobile carillon frame by a Dutch bell foundry and sent to America. For the first time in history, the rarely-seen European art of carillon playing could be brought to audiences. Eventually, this carillon was purchased in 1992 by a gentleman who chooses to remain anonymous and given new life by Frank DellaPenna, master-carillonneur graduate of the French Carillon School.
The carillon was created in Flanders (an area of northern Europe now occupied by the Netherlands, Belgium and northern France) about five centuries ago to provide a musical voice to bell towers to raise the spirits of the residents. The bells (23 or more) are hung in a stationary manner and the clappers are connected to a mechanical keyboard played with fists and feet. Carillon playing requires musical dexterity, strength and endurance. Cast in Bronze is the first transportable carillon in the U.S. and the only full time musical act in the world which features the carillon.
Today, many carillons have fallen into disrepair or are simply no longer played because of lack of funding or interest.
Source: www.castinbronze.com.