Original Owner Rocco Costello (Italian, 1879 – 1956)

Ciaramella

early 20th century

Place madeSouthern Italy

Wood, including olive and possibly cherry

Overall: 11 3/8 × 2 5/8 in. (28.9 × 6.7 cm)

Gift of the family of Rocco Costello

2018.1.2

Rocco Costello (1879−1956), the original owner of this ciaramella, was known as New York’s last Italian bagpiper. Costello (neé Castelli) was born in Armento, Italy, where he lived until he immigrated to the United States in 1902. He and his family settled on Sullivan Street in New York’s Little Italy. Costello made his living as a mechanic, an electrician, and elevator operator, and played the zampogna, or Italian bagpipe, and the ciarmella, an instrument similar to a recorder, to supplement his income. He played around Greenwich Village, at church and holiday festivals, and in concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In addition, he played with such venerable musicians such as Pete Seeger and John Cage, on the Ed Sullivan radio show, and with his own group “Costello and Co.” Ciaramelli are a type of regional recorder native to rural Italy, and are often played together with zampogni. Like the zampogna, the ciaramella is associated with southern Italian and Sicilian herders.

DescriptionTrumpet-shaped instrument constructed from pierced chanter with seven hand-bored holes, and bell-shaped drone.

ClassificationsENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION