Cast in Bronze "Carol of the Bells"

The traveling carillon at the 2007 Scarborough Renaissance Festival.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• cast
• bronze
• carillon
• carol
• bells
• scarborough
• renaissance
• festival
• faire
• fair

[robertgift]

Frank is handsome. Too bad you can't see him because of the repulsive mask.

[nikkirehman]

I've always wondered what he looks like! I can't find a picture anywhere. :-(

[robertgift]

What did you think when you saw his "bird-beak" mask? Here in Denver, people say it is grotesque. One said, "Horrid".

In Denver's Christmas Parade Channel 9 TV covered his carillon very well but carefully did not show him. He is also strong and both he and wife are attractive.

[nikkirehman]

I wouldn't go so far as to say "grotesque" or "horrid." It does add an air of mystery and make his character instantly recognizable while allowing him the anonymity to wander around uninterrupted. I'm just curious about the man behind the mask!

[poetesstx]

Dunno about anyone else, but I'm a forever fan. Who cares what he wears (though I think it's cool).

[Rita226]

@robertgift who cares about his ouyfit??? This man has talent all the way! Saw him today and thought it was a cool outfit for this kinda instument,he was awesome ! It's amazing how ppl worry bout nonsense like clothing etc, listen to his talent that's all i gotta say!

[slyballer13]

I first herd this at the  renisance by houston, it was pouring rain, a cloudy and cold day. and when my uncle n cousin said they were going over to watch, I thought it was stupid... When he started playing the rain fell harder n the music sent chills down my back n I was left speechless

[magicalbass1]

i saw him back in 2003 and all i can say is that he is amazing. its a way bigger experience in person than in video. even bought 2 of his albums 

[pheildcorn]

a middle ages medicin man, rose petals in the nose to keep the pleag at bay

[DemonicAngelicGurl]

the music is amazing and the mask is icing on the cake. makes me wish ren fen was everyday and not just at the fair grounds

[Teddifish]

He played at WDW one year, without the mask---our family thought it took some of the mystery away and were happy to see him re-masked at the Georgia Renn festival the following year.

[ariandynas]

I just really wish there was some good quality music of him playing, his CD's just arent quite the same, all the videos are of (no offense) poor quality, and for obvious reason I can't feel the pressure in my chest from the ringing bells.

[ariandynas]

I will say, I DO feel rather sorry for the fellow, he has to wear noise-dampening earmuffs at all times playing the thing, playing in such close proximity to 1 ton of ringing bronze is slowly costing him his hearing. Only thing worse than a blind painter is a deaf composer. (and yes I already know that Degas and Beethoven were blind and deaf respectively, but stil...)

[ariandynas]

@nikkirehman Met the fellow, pictures ARE rare simply because he always keeps his mask on for preformances, the idea being he hides his face so you can't see him, much as you couldn't see the Carilloneur back when they were common. I wouldnt consider his mask grotesque per-se but it IS appropriate considering his last name is "Della-Pella" (literally of the plume or feather,)

[UsurperDunamis]

The plague bird masque is absolutely beautiful and it suits him marvelously; a dark angel chiming away at bells that bring like to the darkness. Glorious.

[krose90]

This is quoted from Frank Della Penna's website for Cast In Bronze:

"The carillon is played by a silent and masked "spirit of the bells" that appears only to breathe life into the instrument for the performance."

This would mean that the focus should be laid upon the bells, and not the artist. As the artist only gives life to the bells, it should be interpreted this way. The bells are intended to be the focal point.