On The Road
On numerous occasions she proved to be a sturdy and excellent
understudy to current well known stars. In 1955, at the last minute, she
was rushed to Hartford Connecticut, for the purpose of replacing, the
infamous, Renata Tebaldi of the Metropolitan Opera Co., in the lead
female role of Aida . She was acclaimed by the audience and critics. The
Hartford Times read “Tebaldi was not missed”. Soon after, the famed
Diva, Rosa Ponselle heard Miss Telli during a Baltimore performance and
urged her to stay on and perform with the Baltimore Civic Opera Company.
During the early 1950’s Rina was on WHOM radio every Sunday and as a regularly featured guest on Opera Cameo’s TV show every Sunday evening. She was also contracted to promote such companies as Perillo Tours on a “celebrity guest cruise”, Bertolli Olive Oil and Progresso Foods. Her contract with Gallo Wines had her pictured on Bill Boards, TV & News Papers. Miss Telli is currently featured in the book entitled: Images of America, (Series) Little Italy. On page 53, there is a photo from La Forza Del Destino and a back stage photo from Cavalleria Rusticana appears on page 106. She is also named on an Italian Festival Poster, on page 57. This book can be purchased online or at local book stores. She was also the recipient of many awards, from varied organizations and political figures, such as New York Governor Hugh L. Carey. She was also a star headliner in many night clubs throughout the states.
In the latter years of her career Rina Telli became the Founder and President of The Cultural Society for the Performing Arts, Inc. This was a nonprofit organization which offered scholarships to children and young adults wanting to pursue a musically, artistic and theatrical career. The society also brought classical music into public schools performed in a way for children to understand and appreciate. She also appeared in concerts with such stars as Pat Cooper, Julius La Rosa, Danny Thomas, Fred Travelina, Enzo Stuarti, Domenico Modugno, Giovanni Consiglio, Mario Del Monaco, Victor Borga, Joe Franklin & Merve Griffin, just to name a few. However, her grandsons loved it the most when she would be a guest star at the Italian Festivals, such as San Gennaro, because it gave them an opportunity to see their beautiful grandmother perform as well as allowing them all the enjoyment a street festival has to offer for the youngsters.
Miss Telli was proud and honored to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” for many political banquets and events. She performed the National Anthem at the yearly anniversary of the Ratification of “Our American Bill of Rights” at City Hall in New York, Washington DC. and the United Nations. She also sang for many dignitaries such as: President John F. Kennedy, Mayor Koch, Vice President Mondale, Mayor Robert F. Wagner, and Mayor John Lindsey . She also sang for the yearly Italian Historical Society of Brooklyn, the Ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Verrazano Bridge and the yearly Verrazano Day affairs under the direction of Mr. John La Court. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Brooklyn Hall of Fame. Miss Telli contributed her talent and time to numerous charitable organizations. However, the one performance, that her family and close friends will always remember and miss hearing her sing is the Ave Maria.
Miss Telli’s life was dedicated to her music demonstrating much love and devotion. She brought great esteem to her profession. Everyone she came into contact with admired her talent, her beauty and her magnificent voice. She sang for every audience, large or small, with the same emotions and love of music she had from the very start, as a youngster, when singing for her family, while her father played the accordion.
During the early 1950’s Rina was on WHOM radio every Sunday and as a regularly featured guest on Opera Cameo’s TV show every Sunday evening. She was also contracted to promote such companies as Perillo Tours on a “celebrity guest cruise”, Bertolli Olive Oil and Progresso Foods. Her contract with Gallo Wines had her pictured on Bill Boards, TV & News Papers. Miss Telli is currently featured in the book entitled: Images of America, (Series) Little Italy. On page 53, there is a photo from La Forza Del Destino and a back stage photo from Cavalleria Rusticana appears on page 106. She is also named on an Italian Festival Poster, on page 57. This book can be purchased online or at local book stores. She was also the recipient of many awards, from varied organizations and political figures, such as New York Governor Hugh L. Carey. She was also a star headliner in many night clubs throughout the states.
In the latter years of her career Rina Telli became the Founder and President of The Cultural Society for the Performing Arts, Inc. This was a nonprofit organization which offered scholarships to children and young adults wanting to pursue a musically, artistic and theatrical career. The society also brought classical music into public schools performed in a way for children to understand and appreciate. She also appeared in concerts with such stars as Pat Cooper, Julius La Rosa, Danny Thomas, Fred Travelina, Enzo Stuarti, Domenico Modugno, Giovanni Consiglio, Mario Del Monaco, Victor Borga, Joe Franklin & Merve Griffin, just to name a few. However, her grandsons loved it the most when she would be a guest star at the Italian Festivals, such as San Gennaro, because it gave them an opportunity to see their beautiful grandmother perform as well as allowing them all the enjoyment a street festival has to offer for the youngsters.
Miss Telli was proud and honored to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” for many political banquets and events. She performed the National Anthem at the yearly anniversary of the Ratification of “Our American Bill of Rights” at City Hall in New York, Washington DC. and the United Nations. She also sang for many dignitaries such as: President John F. Kennedy, Mayor Koch, Vice President Mondale, Mayor Robert F. Wagner, and Mayor John Lindsey . She also sang for the yearly Italian Historical Society of Brooklyn, the Ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Verrazano Bridge and the yearly Verrazano Day affairs under the direction of Mr. John La Court. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Brooklyn Hall of Fame. Miss Telli contributed her talent and time to numerous charitable organizations. However, the one performance, that her family and close friends will always remember and miss hearing her sing is the Ave Maria.
Miss Telli’s life was dedicated to her music demonstrating much love and devotion. She brought great esteem to her profession. Everyone she came into contact with admired her talent, her beauty and her magnificent voice. She sang for every audience, large or small, with the same emotions and love of music she had from the very start, as a youngster, when singing for her family, while her father played the accordion.
Beginning with her family and friends to her coaches, broad audiences, colleagues and her own students Rina Telli demonstrated love and grace in everything she did and everyone whose life she touched. She was truly a blessed and beautiful humanitarian.