deBlasiis sisters — Giovannia in winter 1920

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts.

Pianist Giovannina deBlasiis, daughter of David deBlassis of Glens Falls, was making her mark on the music scene while studying in New York City with Madame Lichtman in the winter of 1920.

Giovannina made her first appearance before a New York City public audience on the afternoon of Jan. 8 at Hotel Piazza.

Her second public performance was on Jan. 19 in a concert for the National Club of Ohio Women at Hotel Astor.

In late February, she was back at the Hotel Astor in the opening segment for a concert of the Theatre Club.

deBlasiis performed Schumann’s “Novelette,” Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song,” Moszkowski’s “En Automme,” and Chopin’s “Valse.”

In the second half of the program, pianist Eleanor Mangum of Glens Falls accompanied soprano vocal soloist Adele Bliss.

Both pianists had previously studied with Mrs. Harvey D. Ingalsbee of Glens Falls.

Charlotte Hyde in 1932 asked Giovannina to perform a series of piano programs at the home of Mary Hoopes, Hyde’s sister.

This evolved into the de Blasiis concert series that for many years featured Giovannina and her violinist sister Virginia de Blasiis and still continues at The Hyde Collection art museum in Glens Falls.

Sources: The Post-Star Jan. 9, 20, March 1, 1920.

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