This year’s An Adirondack Christmas on Main Street event in Old Forge will feature a Cast in Bronze Carillon Bells Concert on Friday and Saturday, November 25 and 26, at Point Park at the busy corner.
A Carillon is a musical instrument made of cast bronze bells that was created in 1480.
It is played from a modified keyboard with the fists and feet.
The Cast in Bronze Carillon
Located in lofty bell towers throughout the world, the instrument and its player were historically hidden from sight, making the Carillon one of the world’s best kept secrets.
Lori Zellweger, a member of the Christmas on Main Street committee, is responsible for making the arrangements to bring Cast in Bronze Carillon Bells and its creator, Frank Della Penna, to Old Forge.
Several years ago she had seen Della Penna perform at the Barn Festival in Remsen and realized that the Carillon Bells could add an exciting component to the Christmas on Main Street event.
At the time, Della Penna was not available to bring the Bells to Old Forge for the November event because he typically spends winters in Texas.
But last spring he contacted Zellweger and told her that he would be spending Thanksgiving with his family in Pennsylvania, and that he would be able to make it this year if she was still interested.
Zellweger made the arrangements, however her next big obstacle was how to financially support the two-day performance.
After drawing the Adirondack Christmas on Main Street Committee together, she said she was able to find sponsors to contribute to the event. So it’s a done deal.
Della Penna will transport the Bronze Bells on a 25 foot-long trailer that pulls a 60 foot-long fifth wheel.
“We’re going to park it on the road in front of the Old Forge Hardware and unhitch the trailer so the bells will be right there. It won’t be on top of the Point, but on the side of it, close to the decorated tree,” Zellweger said.
The mobile Cast in Bronze Carillon consists of 35 bells with a total weight of four tons. It will be played by a silent and masked “Spirit of the Bells.”
Della Penna, the “Spirit”, began his studies in Valley Forge, PA. He is a graduate of the French Carillon School in Tourcoing, France.
The show was performed for several years at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.
It opened the mass of Pope John Paul II in New York City’s Central Park and it has appeared on NBC’s Today Show.
The show tours throughout the United States at music, art and renaissance festivals.
Locally, the Carillon bells will play on the hour every hour for intervals of 20 to 30 minutes from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday over Thanksgiving weekend.
The performances are free of charge.
“I think it will be a great new addition to our holiday event,” Zellweger said.
The sponsors of this special appearance are Blizzard Trailers at North South Connection, Old Forge Hardware, Smith Marine/ Bombardier, and Wilderness Interiors.
For more information about the event visit www.anadirondackchristmasonmainstreet.com, or Lori Zellweger at: www.wildernessinteriors@hotmail.com.
To learn more about the unique Carillon instrument go to www.castinbronze.com.
