Introduction to Rina's

Biography

On August 6, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York, Anthony and Mary Portelli became the proud parents of their first born, Catherina. Anthony Portelli and his bride Mary Yacono were originally from Lipari, Sicily. They had two other children named Josephine and Bartolo. Catherina Portelli married Gaspareno Caleca, at the age of 22. Two years later she gave birth to a daughter, whom they named Norma, after the Opera by Bellini. She was divorced in 1952 and remarried in 1954 to TV actor & radio personality, Pasquale Cajano. At an early stage of her career, Catherina achieved International Renowned Distinction as a Dramatic Soprano known as RINA TELLI. On January 22, 1984 her voice was stilled by her untimely death. Attempting to express the beauty of this magnificent voice is a task, for no words can describe the quality and control of this regal and gifted woman.