Vitetta, John Baptist and Vitetta, Joseph and Vitetta, Vincent
Vitetta, John Baptist and Vitetta, Joseph and Vitetta, Vincent
Category: Other
| Title | Vitetta, John Baptist and Vitetta, Joseph and Vitetta, Vincent |
|---|---|
| Author | Shirley Tunnicliff |
| Year | 1996 |
| Publication | Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, first published in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography in 1996. |
| Language | English |
| Geographic reference | Grumento Nova, Potenza, Basilicata, Wellington, Nelson |
| Time reference | 1880s-1960s |
| Online resource | YES |
| Topic | Italian musicians, Early Italian Immigrants, Tomatoes, Italian tomato growers, Vitetta, |
A short biography, written by Shirley Tunnicliff and first published in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography in 1996. When Giuseppe (Joseph) and Vincent were 13 and 8 respectively they emigrated from Basilicata to Wellington, New Zealand, where they earned their living as street musicians, and later playing accompaniments in cinemas. In 1903 Joseph and Vincent assisted their mother, now a widow, and younger brother John, to join them in Wellington. There John joined his brothers in what became a well-known trio in theatre and cinema. By 1914 they were part of the Wellington Professional Orchestra. All three had become naturalised citizens in 1908. In 1915 the Vitetta family moved to Nelson and the 1920s they, like many of Nelson's Italian settlers, began growing tomatoes. For 40 years the family was at the centre of Nelson's Italian community and had played a large part in the city's musical life, and provided music for every Italian wedding. The biography also includes mentions of Giuseppe's wife, Italian singer Orgarita Millanta, and their children two children, Maria Rosa (Rosie) and Luigi Cesare (Louie). Read the full story here.
