Masked man wows surprised shoppers

Medieval bell player performs in store parking lots, By Amy Stewart and Laurie Gordon NEWTON, N.J. — Last Sunday, a rather unexpected sight greeted shoppers at the Newton Shop Rite. There, in front of the store, a masked man was playing a giant instrument filled with huge, bronze bells. “I drove up and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s the Phantom of the Opera,’” said a woman who identified herself as Shirley from Sparta. The day before at the Byram Shop Rite people were asking, “Who is that?” “What is he playing?” The answer: Frank DellaPenna of Cast In Bronze was playing the carillon bells. The carillon is a 4-ton, medieval musical instrument consisting of 35 bronze bells. This rare instrument is played much like a piano. First built in 1480, carillons are played with the fists and feet. Located in lofty bell towers throughout the world, the instrument and its player were hidden from sight, making it one of the world’s best kept secrets. DellaPenna first learned about the carillon while he was looking for a piano teacher. “I found the teacher that I wanted to work with, but he said he would only teach me piano if I promised to learn the carillon too.” DellaPenna learned what he could here in the States, then went to France to expand his knowledge. He graduated from French Carillon School in Tourcoing France. The carillon Della Penna played for the last two decades was rescued from a church, but earlier this month he introduced the new “Cast in Bronze” carillon at Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia. It remains as the only traveling carillon in the country. He calls his show “Spirit of the Bells” and hopes his one-man crusade will preserve an instrument and art form for future generations. The show is solely supported by listeners. Cast in Bronze has been invited to perform for a Presidential Inauguration, and performed for Pope John Paul II at a mass in Central Park. He has performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot in Orlando during the Christmas seasons from 1998 to 2002. Cast in Bronze has played at music and Renaissance Festivals, on on the NBC “Today” Show, and at Alice Cooper’s 2004 “Christmas Pudding” benefit concert. He was hired by Ronetco Shoprite to perform on various dates throughout the month. For more information, to purchase merchandise and cds, or for schedules of events, go to www.castinbronze.com.

Upcoming appearances
ShopRite of Flanders, 90 Bartley-Flanders Rd (off Route 206)
Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ShopRite of Suuccasunna 281 SR 10 East #4
Sunday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ShopRite of Byram, 90-80 Route 206 North
Monday, December 20: 2 to 7:30 p.m.
ShopRite of Newton, 125 Water St.
Wednesday, December 22, 2 to 7:30 p.m.