Domenico Antonelli
Domenico Antonelli of the International Wafer Co
c1858 Born in Italy
Domenico Antonelli was a skilled carpenter trained by his father in Italy where work was hard to find.
He left for Paris where he worked in a furniture factory.
1884 He moved to London where he was employed for ten years by Chiappa and Sons building Barrel piano's.
1891 Living at Warner Street, Clerkenwell: Domenico Antonelli (age 34 born Italy), a Carpenter. With his wife Cristina Antonelli (age 34 born Italy) and their children Ernest Antonelli (age 4 born London) and Luigi Antonelli (age 2 born London).[1] Note: The census shows a number of Italian families in this area including piano and organ builders
1896 he left London with a growing family to establish his own factory at 121, Great Ancoats Street Manchester. At that time the only other manufactures were Pietro Varetto who had arrived from London in 1888 building barrel organs, not piano's and Wright and Holmes Brothers who having established in 1890, were building a range of piano's and organs, eventually closing in 1942 the last to do so. There were also a number of other dealers who had small workshops but were agents for the London companies.
Domenico met Simon Robino while in France and recognising his musical skills offered him employment in Manchester to place the music on the barrels.
By 1900 the works had moved to 59 Great Ancoats Street which had been a furniture factory and was fully equipped and before closing in 1916 had also expanded into No. 61 and 2-4 Blossom street.
1901 Living at 59 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester: Domenic Antonelli (age 44 born Italy), a Piano and Organ Builder, and Employer. With his wife Christina Antonelli (age 44 born Italy) and their children Ernest Antonelli (age 14 born London), a Cabinet Makers Apprentice; Luigi Antonelli (age 10 born London); Romelo Antonelli (age 7 born London); Julia Antonelli (age 5 born London); Adelaide Antonelli (age 3 born Manchester); and Elvera Antonelli (age 13 months born Manchester).[2]
1905 Domenico Antonelli attempts legal injunction against Simon Robino to prevent him carrying on business on his own account but it is rejected by the court.[3]
1906 Travelled to New York on the 'Il Piemonte'
1911 Living at 55 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester: Domenico Antonelli (age 54 born Picinisco, Italy), a Piano Manufacturer and employer. With his wife (married 30 years with six children) Cristina Antonelli (age 54 born Picinisco, Italy), a Provision Merchant on own account, and their children Ernest Antonelli (age 23 born London), assisting in piano business; Luigi Antonelli (age 21 born London), assisting in piano business; Romelo Antonelli (age 18 born London), assisting in piano business; Giulia Antonelli (age 15 born London), assisting in piano business; Dolorata Antonelli (age 13 born Manchester); and Elvira Antonelli (age 11 born Manchester).[4]
Two of Domenico's sons studied at the Manchester College of music so that the piano's were then completed within the family.
International awards came in 1906 Milan Bronze Medal, 1910 London Gold Medal and the 1911 Turin Silver Medal.
1943 Q2. Died in Barton, Lancashire