Messina, a century and a half of music: Castanea celebrates 130 years of the “Mascagni” band

One hundred and thirty years of music, tradition and commitment to the community. The “Pietro Mascagni” band from Castanea celebrated the 130th anniversary of the foundation with a day dedicated to music and memory, together with the bands from Salice and the Vincenzo Bellini from Santo Stefano di Briga. Founded in 1896, the musical reality of Castanea is among the oldest in the Messina area: born on the initiative of the Grand Officer Antonino Pagano Belloni, with the direction of maestro Francesco Valenti, it has gone through over a century of history, renewing itself over time. In 1975 the complex was renovated and took the name of “Pietro Mascagni” folk band complex; since 1991 the musical direction has been entrusted to maestro Giovanni La Fauci, while since 2012 the presidency has been held by Giuseppe Giannone. La Fauci himself, who has led the gang for 35 years, also experienced the centenary milestone. «The Castanea band was founded in 1896 and I personally had the pleasure of being able to celebrate its hundredth anniversary in 1996», recalled the director, explaining that in these 35 years he has seen young musicians grow, especially on a human level. Among the most significant moments of the celebrations was the photographic exhibition set up in the Monsignor Isaja hall, which allowed us to retrace some of the stages of the band’s history through images. There are two moments of entertainment: the traveling concert of the three bands through the streets of the town and the performance in the churchyard of San Cosimo. During the event, various awards were given: to the Salice band chaired by Carmelo Velardi and directed by Matteo Frisenna, to the Santo Stefano di Briga band, chaired by Carmelo Culici and directed by Tommaso Bellinghieri, maestro Salvatore Oliveri, predecessor of La Fauci and to the president of the Pro Loco Casali Peloritani Salvatore Feminò with whom there is a memorandum of understanding.