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"Marcello" is the most seasoned member of La Gondola Providence's talented group of gondoliers. He has always enjoyed guiding self-propelled boats, grew up canoeing with his family on the lakes and ponds of northwestern Rhode Island, graduated from Ponaganset High School and moved on to study history and biology at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. At Lehigh he joined the crew (rowing) team, and by virtue of saying the right word at the right time, started work as a gondolier in early June, 1999, the summer after his junior year of college. Becoming a teacher after college allowed Marcello to keep rowing each summer, and after 8 seasons of working for his former employers, "Marco" and Cynthia, he purchased two of their gondolas after the 2006 season and La Gondola Providence was born. He has been even more of a mainstay on the river ever since, training an excellent set of new gondoliers along the way, singing at every opportunity, and both marveling at and showing off the amazing renaissance undergone by the city of Providence not only to those who have lived in Rhode Island their whole lives, but also to those who have never seen the city before as well.
Quotations:
"I am not a businessman. I'm a gondolier. I bought this company simply so I'd be able to row forever, and it's been worth every penny." - Marcello
"To me, there is no better city outside of Venice for doing what we do. The conditions on the river, the complete renovation of the city of Providence and its strong ties to the Italian culture, & the magic of WaterFire make the gondolas perfect for this place. We lend authenticity to the city, and it lends authenticity to us." - Marcello
"I love being a gondolier. I love to teach too, but rowing is something I just have to do. It's like it's part of my soul. There isn't an occupation that is more perfectly suited for my personal set of talents than this one." - Marcello
"We are gondoliers who sing, not singers who are gondoliers. It's an important distinction to make. Truthfully though, we're not that bad." - Marcello
"It's a difficult dichotomy to face: I want the other guys to gain more experience, which can only be accomplished by rowing more trips. But every trip is so uniquely enjoyable; I wish, selfishly, that I could row them all." - Marcello
"Does he sing as well [as I do]? Well, he sings also." - Marcello
Note: All quotations are attributable to the gondolier himself unless otherwise noted, and in no way reflect the opinion of La Gondola Providence, Inc., its ownership, or any other employees. The quotations actually are allowed to illustrate a little of each gondolier's personality. |
