Phoenixville Native Astounds Audiences at Musikfest

BETHLEHEM-As he grew up in Phoenixville and attended Great Valley High School, Frank DellaPenna always had interesting taste when it came to the music he listened to and more importantly played.

With the support of his mother Theresa and father Alfonso, DellaPenna has turned what was once just an eclectic passion for a very rare instrument into a must-see performance that can be viewed across the country and every year at Musikfest in Bethlehem.

“Cast in Bronze," celebrating its 20th anniversary, is a one-of-a-kind musical experience that the Pottstown-based DellePenna and his wife of 37 years, Anne, have poured their hearts and souls into, developing a once fledgling novelty act into a thriving entertainment company. Thousands flock to the Lehigh Valley every year to see the company during its annual Musikfest, put on by ArtsQuest in Bethlehem.

“My parents were great growing up,” said the black-clad maestro DellePenna in between performances. “They weren’t sure what the heck I was going to with my love of the carillon (the 4,000 pound instrument that he chose as his career path), but that didn’t stop them from backing me 100 percent, even when I wanted to go to France. I have been very lucky with the support of the people in my life. I could never have done it without their support and my wife Anne.”

DellaPenna has brought to the United States the only musical act in the world to feature the hypnotic sounds of the carillon, an instrument typically found in bell towers in Europe. The carillon typically weighs two tons and has traveled all over the country, including opening for Alice Cooper in Phoenix Arizona’s  “Christmas Pudding benefit.”

It’s fitting that the Phoenixville native dons the mask of a Phoenix as he entertains fans of all ages in five shows a day at Musikfest, where he has thrilled audiences for 13 years.

“He wears the mask ... to symbolize the Phoenix, a mythical bird that rises from the ashes," said Anne DellaPenna. “Frank gets such joy from playing for the people here every year, since it is the only place he performs locally. We do a show in Pittsburgh every year, but this is his favorite place to play. It’s home to us.”

DellePenna, who traveled to and lived in France for two years as he trained and learned the craft of playing the carillon, got his start playing at Valley Forge National Park playing in the Washington Memorial Chapel.

“I had a burning desire to learn the proper way to play,” said DellePenna, who along with Anne has called Pottstown home for 20 years. “France and Belgium are where the instrument originated and to be certain I did it justice I dedicated myself to mastering the craft.” 

To design a portable carillon, which consists of 23 different sized bells and is typically intended to remain in a belfry or bell tower, required a very specialized blueprint.

For the second of two carillons that DellaPenna now has, he enlisted the expertise of engineer Ewald Stellrecht, who works at ESE Machines in Coatesville. Stellrecht helped him build the mammoth instrument.

“The bells themselves are made in Europe,” said DellaPenna. “Ewald built everything else. What a masterful job. It has been so incredible. I never dreamed in a million years that I would ever be able to do this full time, but I am so lucky to be able to do what I love everyday.”

“Cast in Bronze” will be performing all week at Musikfest, before it hits the road again, traveling to Pittsburgh, where DellaPenna will be performing at the Renaissance Festival in the steel city through mid-September.

“Inspiration comes through people, not from people” added DellaPenna, whose autobiography is also available now and many retailers and online.

Musikfest in Bethlehem in an annual festival which encompasses the entire town of Bethlehem and runs now through Aug. 14. To see more information on “Cast in Bronze” or any of the hundreds of performers and attractions click on www.fest.org. For more info on DellaPenna’s schedule, the carillon or to order a book, CD or DVD, click on  www.castinbronze.com.