Guide to the Andrea Mazzotti Papers and Photographs, c1913-1947
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Andrea Mazzotti Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Mazzotti, Andrea.
- Collection Number
- MSS 1077
- Extent
- .75 linear feet (2 boxes)
- Date
- c1913-1947
- Abstract
- Andrea Mazzotti worked in Pittsburgh as a musician after immigrating to Pittsburgh from Salerno, Italy, in 1913. Mazzotti, a multi-instrumentalist who was employed as a session musician with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, also sold insurance for the Knights Life Insurance Company of America. The Andrea Mazzotti Papers and Photographs includes photographs of musical events, recordings, sheet music, Mazzotti's draft card and insurance license, a diary he kept immediately after his immigration to the United States, and his obituary in the Knights of the Round Table issue.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Andrea Mazzotti was born in Salerno, Italy and immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1913 at the age of 21. Mazzotti trained as a musician in Italy, specializing in baritone, trombone, and violin. After arriving in Pittsburgh, he worked as a session musician with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, taught music and conducted. During the Great Depression, he remained employed as a musician through the Works Progress Administration. Mazzotti's repertoire included traditional Italian music, classical compositions and popular American songs. For a time, Mazzotti taught at Volkwein Brothers' Studio and later sold insurance for the Knights Life Insurance Company of America. Due to his poor eyesight, he remained at the home front during the war, participating in War Bond rallies. He married Rose Rinaldi Mazzotti, with whom he had a daughter, Norina. Andrea Mazzotti died on March 22, 1948 at the age of 56.
Scope and Content Notes
The Andrea Mazzotti Papers and Photographs include materials related to Mazzotti's life and musical career after his immigration to Pittsburgh. The collection contains sheet music he used for teaching and performing, his draft card and license to sell insurance, photographs of band activities and family members, correspondence, musical recordings, three books on contemporary social issues, and a diary of his first three years in the United States. A clipping taken from an Italian-language newspaper describes Mazzotti's successful efforts to organize a community performance at a playground on Larimer Avenue in East Liberty, a former center of Italian life in Pittsburgh. Also included in the collection are pamphlets, photographs and cards documenting Mazzotti's membership in various organizations, including the Sons of Columbus. A vinyl recording of Don Quixote performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Fritz Reiner likely features Mazzotti, who performed with the orchestra during Reiner's tenure.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Norina Daubner on August 4, 2015.
Accession 2016.0010, gift of Norina Dauber on February 10, 2016.
Preferred Citation
Andrea Mazzotti Papers and Photographs, c1913-1947, MSS 1077, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carly Lough on December 1, 2015.
Additional processing by Kevin Wagner on September 12, 2016.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
Rose Rinaldi Mazzotti Oral History and Transcript, acc.1999.0032, Italian American Collection, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center
Tomasso Rinaldi Papers, acc.1996.0002, Italian American Collection, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center
Separated Materials
The eyeglasses, wallet, blackjack and baton of Andrea Mazzotti are housed in the museum collection.
Subjects
- Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
- Knights Life Insurance Company of America.
- Volkwein Brothers' Studio (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Mazzotti, Andrea.
- Mazzotti, Rose Rinaldi.
- Mazzotti family.
- Salerno, Italy.
- East Liberty (Pittsburgh,Pa.)
- Bloomfield (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Italian American musicians.
- Italian Americans--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- World War (1939-1945) Italian Americans.