Sacramento County
Biographies
SAVERIO VICARI
SAVERIO VICARI.---Sacramento has always been
fortunate in the number of talented men and women she has attracted to her
intellectual and social life, as the capital of California, and among those who
have undoubtedly made their mark here, and been consequently most cordially
welcomed, is the Italian-American instructor in music. Professor Saverio Vicari, who was born under sunny skies beyond the seas in
1878, when he entered the comfortable family circle of George and Josephina Vicari, substantial Italians who were ambitious of the
future of their son. Mrs. Vicari has gone to her eternal reward, leaving a record for
many kindnesses to other mortals; while our subject’s father is still living,
in Italy, at the age of seventy-eight, enjoying the esteem of all who know him.
Saverio Vicari completed all the work required of him by the
excellent Italian schools and then, in 1900, when well-advanced in his studies
in many ways, he crossed the ocean already traveled to the New World by so many
of his fellow-countrymen, and reached the American metropolis, where he found
that the Italian musician had ever been honored. He had previously studied music for years in
Italy, and for three years had played in an Italian military band; and he had
mastered the accordion, the clarinet, the guitar, and the mandolin, and he is
now playing in the Union Band of Sacramento, and he is also imparting
instruction in the above-named instruments.
He first located, on reaching the Coast, at Los Angeles, where he remained
for five years; and then, in 1907, he came to Sacramento. Since his advent here, it has been his good
fortune to have some brilliant and very gifted pupils to play the accordion; he
taught Marie La Barba and Ed Pierrini,
and they now play with great success on the stage. Not only that, but Professor Vicari has taught large classes as well. He also directs the Vicari
Orchestra, that is a great favorite at dances in the
city parks and other public places.
In 1899, Professor Vicari
and Miss Madalena Riolo,
who used to attend the same school in Italy with our subject, were married, the
ceremony taking place in Italy; and the ensuing family of four gifted children,
George, Josephina, Victor and Paul, make up a Vicari
family orchestra. The Professor, despite
his many professional engagements, is decidedly a home man; yet he is fond of
touring by auto, and of out-of-door life.
In politics, he follows no party lead, but thinks and votes for himself.
Transcribed by Suzanne Wood.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Page 433-434. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Suzanne Wood.