Theatre

Dall’ Italia All’ Australia Silent Film

MEMORABLE PROJECTS 2008- 20

“Dall’ Italia All’ Australia” is a documentary film made in 1924

by Angelo Drovetti and was presented by

Tony De Bolfo historian/journalist

with old world music for an old world silent film

by “I Viaggiatori” (the Voyagers) italian folk band

seen below L-R David De Santi ,Tony De Bolfo, Mark Holder Keeping.

Front L -R Irine Vela ,Kavisha Mazzella

See more at their website https://viaggiatori.com.au/

In 1924, the Italian film director Angelo Drovetti embarked on an epic 8,000-nautical-mile voyage with his movie camera. The result, Dall’Italia All’Australia (From Italy to Australia), is regarded by many as the most comprehensive film ever made of a migrant voyage. ‘Dall’Italia All’Australia’ chronicles the voyage of the Regina d’Italia (Queen of Italy) – one of three passenger ships first built for the Lloyd Sabaudo Line at the turn of last century. The film showcases the panoramic views witnessed by Italian, Yugoslav, Greek, Arabic and Jewish migrants as they stood atop the deck of the old steamer during their seven-week world odyssey from Genoa to Australia, by way of Egypt & Sri Lanka, arriving in September 1924.!30 of the Passengers were from Kythera, Kastellorizo and Cyprus.

Author and historian Anthony De Bolfo, who discovered the film, introduces and commentates on the film, with Italian folk music by ARIA AWARD winning musicians Kavisha Mazzella (singer, guitar, accordion) and Irini Vela (bouzouki, guitar) and the Viaggiatori – David De Santi (accordion) and Mark Holder-Keeping (saxophone, clarinet).

The Band have now recorded the music they play in the film. This new album is called ” Suitcase Serenata”

REVIEWS BELOW

I VIAGGIATORI – Suitcase Serenata ****

CD review by SETH JORDAN, ABC Limelight Magazine, May 2010
I Viaggiatori (The Voyagers) is a bit of an Aussie world/folk supergroup. Formed in 2006 by veteran Italian/Australian singer/songwriter Kavisha Mazzella to provide a score for the silent fi lm documentary Dall’ Italia All’ Australia, the quartet also features Greek bouzouki/mandolin player Irine Vela (Habibis); accordion virtuoso David De Santi (Wongawilli/ Zumpa); and clarinet/saxophonist Mark Holder-Keeping (Cantolibre/ Zumpa). With a charming combination of Italian standards, original songs by Mazzella and a touching version of ‘Waltzing Matilda’, this all-acoustic album chronicles the hopes and memories of our Italian community. An authentic, joyous and wellperformed musical travelogue. Rated 4.5 stars out 5!
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CD review by Ian Dearden ****
Wow! What a beautiful album! The first thing that strikes you, of course, is that soulful Italian singing from the exquisite Kavisha Mazella. I do have to confess that I have been entranced by Kavisha ever since I first saw her fronting Fremantle’s “Rich and Famous”, more years ago than I and perhaps Kavisha care to remember. I have followed her career with intent interest ever since. I know that I am not the only person in the folk movement to be so entranced!! And wasn’t it great to see the “Rich and Famous” reunion gigs at Woodford 2009! Listen further to this CD, though and you will be thrilled by the deliciously fluid clarinet playing of Mark Holder-Keeping, who also contributes impressively on bass clarinet, saxophone and cajon. Then there’s the ever present accordion of David De Santi, a man who seems busier than the proverbial one-armed paper hanger. He always has just the right note and the perfect palette for these songs and tunes, most, but not quite all, traditional Italian music from the 19th century and beyond. Check out their version of Waltzing Matilda for its haunting Italian resonances, never previously apparent in this tune, previously believed to have exclusively Scottish origins!! Last, but by no means least in this Melbourne/Wollongong folk supergroup, is Irene Vela. Her evocative bouzouki and mandolin playing conjures the very smells, sights and sounds of Italy from the very first note. “I Viaggiatori” – The Voyagers, originally came together to play a live Italian music score for a silent documentary film from 1925, “Dall’ Italia All’ Australia” and they continue to perform this film score at film screenings around Australia. As is clear from this CD though, they have much more to offer. Whether or not you have an ounce of Italian blood in you, this is music that will immediately tug at your heart strings and stir your soul. Superbly recorded at Corrimal’s Main Street Studio (isn’t it great to have acoustic music presented with such attention to technical detail), this is a “must have” for any music collection and a “must see” for those of you still attending gigs.